Charm of the Japanese onomatopoeia

Japan cartoons depict many onomatopoeia expressions. In Japan manga translated into foreign languages, the lines written on the speech bubbles are translated, but most of them are left untranslated so that the intention and atmosphere of the drawing do not change, and for reasons such as expressions that cannot be fully translated.
For example Japan when a person sees a cut like the one in the figure, he thinks of a rural landscape in the summer Japan.

 

ザアアアア(Zaaaaa)

ザアアアア(Zaaaaa) gives the impression of heavy rain, and ゲコゲコ(Geko Geko) is a word for the croaking of frogs (Tonosamagaeru), so it conveys the image of a summer countryside scene with heavy rainfall. The drawing and onomatopoeia alone allow the reader to feel the scene, including the feeling and smell of the skin.

[Source: Big Comic Shogakukan: 25 April 2023, "Himawari at the Bottom of the Lake, Episode 14: Traitor, by Yugo Ishikawa"]

 Japanese onomatopoeia is thus frequently used to enhance a sense of realism.

There are more than 4,500 Japanese onomatopoeia!

The Japanese Onomatopoeia Dictionary, (Shogakukan: Masahiro Ono, ed.) has a collection of over 4,500 words of onomatopoeia.
There are few languages other than Japanese that have so many onomatopoeia.
The title of the dictionary's 'Words of publication' is [more than a thousand words in a row...].
It means that a long explanation is needed to accurately describe the nuances of a single onomatopoeia.
It may be the unfulfilled dream of all those involved in onomatopoeia to be able to explain onomatopoeia in objective terms with as little loss of feeling as possible..." Onomatopoeia is a rich expression that has become ingrained in Japanese life, so much so that the editors say that it is "a dream of all those involved in onomatopoeia".
In real life, it would be tasteless to converse without onomatopoeia.
I would like people to put academic talk aside for a moment and enjoy the charm of Japanese manga even more by reading onomatopoeia well.

Onomatopoeia is being created more and more

When we look at onomatopoeia in manga, we see that the writers effectively create onomatopoeia with their own sensibility.

Even with a 4,500-word onomatopoeic dictionary, it can be said that words that change over time and suit the sensibilities of the cartoonist (author) are being created more and more. Readers of comics also need to be able to sense these new expressions. 

ズオッ(zuoooh)

ズオッ(zuoooh) Even though this expression does not exist in general, it seems to be the only one in this case. The attack in which Goku, with full wounds, gives it his all is powerfully conveyed.

Onomatopoeic expressions created by cartoonist (authors) convey a sense of feeling and realism even to those who come into contact with them for the first time.

バムッ (Bahmu)

[Source: Big Comic, Shogakukan: 25 April 2023, "THE ALPINE CLIMBER Episode 30: The Climber's Way, Written by Kunihiko Yokomizo, drawn by Takuro Yamaji"] 

バムッ (Bahmu) This is also a word coined by the cartoonist (author), but it makes you think that the sound of the door of an old Japanese car you bought second-hand closing can only be described by this onomatopoeia.
There are a number of onomatopoeia word explanation pages on the website, but even if you learn the basic, most commonly used ones, the best part of the manga is what you can make out from the onomatopoeia characters. If you don't understand it, try reading it out loud.
Most onomatopoeia is written in hiragana or katakana, so you can read it if you remember 92 characters!

Hiragana and katakana notation

As explained on Japanmania.tokyo at "What are the kanji, hiragana and katakana?", there are two types of Japanese phonograms: hiragana and katakana (For more information, see the page above) .

Most onomatopoeia in manga is expressed in katakana, although some is written in hiragana.
There is an obvious intention of the author in the representation of the characters.  

ぬうら〜 (Nuraha)  

[Source: Big Comic, Shogakukan: 25 April 2023, "THE ALPINE CLIMBER Episode 30: The Climber's Way, Written by Kunihiko Yokomizo, drawn by Takuro Yamaji"] 

ぬうら〜 (Nuraha)  The way he walks slowly. The way he moves slowly conveys a sense of humour that matches well with the hiragana. 

バッシャアーッ (Bashhhaha)

[Source: Big Comic Shogakukan: 25 April 2023 issue "Bubble Zamurai Episode 1 Samurai of RYDEEN by Fujihiko Hosono"]

バッシャアーッ (Bashhhaha) The scene of being splashed with muddy water by a car driving off at a brisk pace is conveyed in a harrowing manner. There is no other way but katakana here.

ぶるんっ( Burun)

[Source: Big Comic Shogakukan: 25 April 2023 issue "Bubble Zamurai Episode 1: Samurai of RYDEEN by Fujihiko Hosono"]

ぶるんっ( Burun) The use of hiragana is effective in conveying the humorous way in which the umbrella is waved to send rainwater flying.

ヒョイ！ (hyoi!)

[[Source: Big Comic Shogakukan: 25 April 2023 issue "Bubble Zamurai Episode 1: Samurai of RYDEEN by Fujihiko Hosono"]

 The way of applying umbrellas in a hurry is conveyed by writing it in katakana.

Hiragana, as you can see, is a round-looking character, usually used to write sentences. When used in onomatopoeia, they seem to be used for gentle, calm or slow expressions.
On the other hand, Katakana are angular characters, suitable for expressing speed and intensity.
If you know the slightly deeper aspects of onomatopoeia, which are used with careful attention to the characteristics of the Japanese language, you will be able to appreciate the work(manga) with even greater appreciation.

 Ingenuity in typefaces

In addition to the use of hiragana and katakana, the ingenuity of the typeface also shows the author's sensitivity. For example, in the expression of intensity, such as strong punches, a certain amount of ingenuity is used. For those who are not used to it, the letterforms may be a bit difficult to read. But if you read a lot, you'll get it, I'm sure.

[Source: Bic Comic Shogakukan: 25 Apr 2023 issue "Deep 3 Shot.53 Correct. Written by Mitsuhiro Mizuno, drawn by Ryosuke Tobimatsu"].

キュッ (Kyu)

 That sound on the floor when changing direction with basketball shoes. The white typeface and the size of the sound give the impression of strength and speed.

ド ド (Doh Doh)

The typeface and size of the letters convey the powerful sound of the floor at the moment you run into the free space. The black letters express the weight of the sound. 

 

Don't you think that onomatopoeia is where the author's ideas and drawing ability are tested to add a sense of realism to the representation of people and places?
Even if you used to think of onomatopoeia only as background, if you start to pay attention to it, the sense of realism will increase and the enjoyment of the manga will double.

Explanations of various onomatopoeia will be in the next Blog...

 Can’t stop “Waku Waku”!

Japanmania.tokyo's slogan is "Can't stop waku waku (=fluttering, excitement)!" .

This Waku Waku is another onomatopoeia that describes your heart fluttering.

ワクワク (Waku Waku)  

The feeling of being excited or thrilled by something fun or new. When you embark on a new life, when you discover a new world for yourself, when you come up with a new idea and put it into action, etc.

We bring excitement to your life with our Japanish Naming services and attractive original products.

How about living a new and exciting life with a new name, like a character from a manga or anime?

Japanish Naming can help you become the new you. For example, you can use a Japanese handle name for your online activities or attend anime events with a Japanese middle name like an anime character.
Why not make your life more exciting with a cool Japanese name?
We have a variety of Japanish Naming services for you.

Let's do Waku Waku!