This paper examines how coffee, a beverage widely popular around the globe, and manga, which refers to a Japanese comic/animation, are interconnected and interdependent beyond a cup of coffee and the drawings. Although manga has much broader content which can vary from romance to adventures, coffee is one of the most widely-spread elements of Japanese culture which contributes to people’s routine both as a rite and as an entertaining activity. This article seeks to uncover the presentation of the coffee in manga and the role that this product occupies in society and people’s interests in the culture of manga and their interaction.
Coffee Culture in Japan
In order to comprehend manga representation of coffee, one must first take culture of coffee in Japan into consideration. Coffee arrived in Japan in the late part of the nineteenth century and prove to be a success. It evolved from just being an associated feature of the western world to symbolizing elegance, social gathering, and leisure. Present-day cafes of Japan can be described as an essential element of everyday lives of people, no matter their age, gender, or social status, ranging from small local shops to luxurious places.
The Japanese, similar to most Asians have their own unique way of preparing and serving coffee and they are very particular with how their brewed coffee looks like. The baristas are expected to be talented due to the fact that most of the specialty beverages require advanced techniques like pour-over and siphon brewing. This veneration of artisanal technique is not confined to the production of its beans but also with regard to cafes, whose design is intentionally cozy and calming.
Coffee in Manga: The behaviours portrayed, products displayed, costumes used and the general outlook of this one TV episode are well-aligned with its themes and symbols.
Thus, in manga, coffee is more than just a beverage but an important part of plot, and characters’ evolution as well. It’s periodically applied to mean contemplation, unity or crossing over. People might go for a coffee to read important papers concerning their lives and to be consoled during moments of crisis. Furthermore, coffee shops are also depicted as prevalent places for characters’ development, revelation of some aspects or secrets, and solving conflicts in manga.
From the manga reviewed, it is clear that coffee has a varied purpose in Japan’s culture and is hence portrayed accurately. For instance, protagonists may need coffee to fulfil their functions as creative characters; hence, the heady scent of freshly brewed coffee may provide insights to the main character in the story. On the other hand, coffee can be depicted as something that people run to seeking solace when they are low and lonely. Consequently, the work depicts the act of consuming coffee as a means of appreciating the possibilities and essence of life, including the bitter facets of it.
Popular Manga Featuring Coffee
Many manga series deliberately incorporate coffee as they try to interest the audience in the cultural and social aspects. One of these is the series “Kissaten no Mitsugimono” also known as “The Café Cartographer” which depicts a young man’s motivation on his adventure on discovering his love for coffee and investigating the stories in each café. Being a rather intelligent man who loves his coffee, he gets an incredible opportunity to discover the essence of life listening to various stories from the owners of coffee shops as well as other people which actually helps him consider the matter from different perspectives and also, of course, improves his understanding of the art of making coffee.
One more example is ‘‘Shirokuma Café’’ which is so called ‘‘Polar Bear Café’’ ‘manga which is a series of light manga, focused on the slice of life, where the characters are anthropomorphised. Although the show does not revolve around coffee, there is a setting of a café, in which animals come to have a friendly chat and drink coffee and other beverages, if needed. Pranking and friendly chitchat occur around the table mainly selling the virtues of coffee, and meaningful interaction between people and animals.
Coffee Rituals and Manga
Apart from the narrative function, manga tends to glorify the process of drinking coffee and the accessories connected with it. Although manga artists emphasize modernity and contemporary culture, the portrayal of coffee indicates that it is based on science together with art. An appeal to the consumers’ sense of taste is made through the descriptions of recipes and methods of making coffee, as well as through illustrations of the coffee-making instruments.
Moreover, manga provides insights into the cultural etiquette surrounding coffee consumption in Japan. For example, characters can witness the usual tradition to accompany coffee with a baked good, like a biscuit or a pastry, according to the taste of the drink. They do not only improve the verisimilitude of the stories in manga, but readers also receive more profound knowledge of the Japanese cuisine.
Coffee and Character Development
In addition to cultural and narrative roles of coffee in Manga, it has a very distinctive use in the characterization of cartoons. It can be said that characters’ personalities or roles of many narratives depend on their attitude to coffee, to the knowledge of coffee and what it can offer, from the person who tasted the notes and had the desire to learn more about the coffee. Edible characters use coffee to express personal traits, goals, and feelings; coffee bestows relationships with readers, who equally appreciate it.
Conclusion
Thus, the image of coffee presented in manga suggests the role of the beverage and symbolizes its cultural importance in Japan but is not limited to it. The chapters undergone analysis present the value of the coffee for a society as a factor initiating social interactions and for an individual as a stimulant for self-inspection; therefore, greatly contributing to the development of manga and being mentally compelling to the readers. Through analyzing the connection between coffee and manga, one gets to know more about the Japanese culture, their cuisine, and also the general sometimes petty but highly significant pursuit of finding combing with others and understanding the purpose of life in ordinary people’s routines. Therefore, the next time you are sipping on a cup of coffee, and simultaneously, flipping through the pages of your favorite manga, spare a thought for all the tastes that both share. For more information visit ventsicon.com
