We here at Rich In Color love to read and promote graphic novels. I’ve also begun using them more and more as a literary text in my classroom as there have been a number of literary graphic novels being published. Unfortunately, those behind the book bans have noticed too and last year saw the most number of graphic novels challenged.
In fact, graphic novels made up 14% of the challenged texts. Most of the graphic novels banned were manga, and not just one or two, but often whole series! If you know anyone who reads manga those are a lot of books. According to PEN America’s report, “Japanese manga artists Atsushi Ohkubo (Fire Force and Soul Eater series), Hajime Isayama (Attack on Titan series), Rumiko Takahashi (Inuyasha, Inuyasha Ani-Manga, and Ranma 1/2 series) and Yusei Matsui (Assassination Classroom series) all appear in PEN America’s list of most commonly banned authors.” I may not personally read manga but as one who is around teens I’ve definitely heard of these titles and it’s shocking that these series have been challenged.
Teens love reading these series and love talking about these series. Taking these books away from children and teens hurts them and tells them their interests have no value because some folks are uncomfortable with the themes found in the manga. If a parent is uncomfortable with manga maybe a conversation with their child should be in order, but they do not have the right to restrict mangas and graphic novels for others.
It’s upsetting to read that more and more graphic novels are being challenged as well because graphic novels often bring in reluctant readers and are literary works in their own right.