As another example of Asian culture continuing to influence American society, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that many U.S. newspapers will include Japanese manga-style comic strips in their comics sections very soon, all in an effort to attract a younger readership circulation:

“Doonesbury” and “Peanuts,” make way for “manga.” Come January, the Sunday funnies of several major North American newspapers will have doe-eyed women in frilly outfits, effeminate long-haired heroes and other trademark images of the Japanese comic style. The reason? Newspaper editors want to attract more young readers.

A study released earlier this year by the Carnegie Corporation put the age of newspaper readers at 53 and climbing - hardly a recipe for circulation growth. . . . The U.S. newspaper debut is a bit of a landmark for manga - a product of Japanese pop culture that has never been quite mainstream in the United States, although it’s long been a hit with the younger generation that grew up on Pokemon, Hello Kitty and Japanese animation movies - or “anime” for short.

The article describes that this inclusion of more manga-style comics involves English translations of existing manga comics or newly-developed comics inspired and influenced by manga. Either way, it looks like the march of Asian culture into the American mainstream continues to gather steam. Now if we can translate this influence into more political power, fewer incidents of discrimination, etc. . . .