What's the difference between these and graphic novels?
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Yeah, I don't get it either. I've been reading Japanese and non-Japanese comics for a while and I have no idea what is meant by "Manga Style". I don't see how this can possibly be different from just being non-Japanese comic books and web comics.
I think the difference is that some Graphic novels can still look very western, where as OEL "Manga" have more manga-esque qualities to them.
To be perfectly honest, I wish they really were called "Manga-esque graphic novels" instead of just "Original English Language MANGA". Manga itself is distinctly Japanese; even China, Korea, Hong Kong & France (just to name a few) have their own words for manga-esque graphic novels. I think we should just use the term "Manga-esque" for both American (and perhaps anything else outside of Japan) "manga-like" graphic novels. (either that, or just invent a new word/phrase that would replace "OEL Manga", while being shorter than "Manga-esque Graphic Novels")
It's not like a manga-esque graphic novel having any other name other than "manga" is some kind of insult to the artist. Last time I checked, manga wasn't some kind of end-all be-all form of sequential art. Besides, "anime-esque" is okay to say, but apparently manga-esque isn't?
Here's how I see it: If I told you that I were wearing a sombrero, you would imagine one of those big Mexican hats, right? Right! So should fans of other hats get "insulted" if I don't call "their hats" a Sombrero? No, and if they do feel insulted, they shouldn't. Plus, in Spanish, every hat is a Sombrero, so in Spanish-speaking places it doesn't even matter. (Just like how in Japan, every kind of comic and cartoon is still just called manga/anime, no matter where its from. Perhaps the hardcore Otaku also takes the time to watch non-Japanese animation? I'm not really sure how their culture really defines things like this)
Needles to say all of this is making my head hurt, but it should still be open for debate/discussion.
Edited by MizuTakishima
Odd thought: How come when animations are made in the Japanese art-style, we name them "Animesque"? Yet when comics are made in that exact art style, its called "Original English Language", not "Mangaesque". The suffix "-esque" makes a huge difference, implying "of the style of anime, but not OF anime". Western cartoons can never be anime, but western comics can be manga, is the implication being made here.
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Late reply is way late, but I whole-heartedly agree with you. But OEL is on Wikipedia too, so...
Also what's the deal with this "style" nonsense? Manga isn't just one set in stone style, it's a series of Techniques, and because it uses a certain technique, each series has its own different style! (Unless you're one of those people who think Death Note & Magical Do Re Mi look exactly the same just because they're both "anime")
Should there be a "borderline" section for titles like Scott Pilgrim which are in this style, but the authors/publishers have either explicitly rejected the label of "manga" or not said anything either way?