Plot Patterns in Manga Based on Propp’s narratological elements

Abstract

This article takes into consideration Vladimir Propp’s work on narratological elements and applies them to the narrative strategies of manga. Through a generalization of Propp’s scheme, an in-depth explanation of how they interact with one another and the addition of several new functions, this work demonstrates that these categories are functional in the study of the narratological elements found in manga. For the purpose of this article, most of the provided examples derive from shōnen manga as they provide for a clearer analysis. The secondary aim is to emphasize that there is room for critical analysis in manga, one that is directly correlated with literature. This medium that combines literature and art, other than having its own history, has evolved along the decades and adapted to the requirements of its generation; it is hence important to acknowledge and value a possible analytical approach.

Keywords

• compared analysis
• formalism
• manga
• narrative arcs
• narratological elements
• vladimir propp
• anime
• anime studies