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and emotions, in order to be interpreted and
understood.
Graphic narrative, a term first introduced by
David Kunzle in the book The History of the Comic
Strip, as a combination of still image composition
with narration to create a story (Darmawan, 2012).
Referring to these definitions, the terminology with
a similar explanation, in French called Bande
Dessinee which means image in the sequence. The
definition of Graphic Narrative, Graphic Novel, or
Comic Art, in other parts of the world simply called
Comic, Manga, and others (Petersen, 2011). Similar
to the Kunzle’s definition, Scott McCloud, a comic
expert, define it as a series of pictures in deliberate
sequence (McCloud, 1993).
Manga, the term for picture books or comics
from Japan, with all its unique characteristics as a
graphic narrative, it has become a graphic art that
accepted in many places in the world, including
Indonesia. In 1995, former Japanese Prime Minister
Kiichi Miyazawa using Manga as a medium to
express political and social opinions (Leung, 2005).
Furthermore, in 2008, the Japanese Foreign
Minister, Masahiko Komura, officially inaugurate
the cartoon character, Doraemon, become the first
"Animations Ambassador” as a Diplomatic Corp to
promote Japanese popular culture (McCurry, 2008).
In other words, modern Manga, including animation,
not only as a medium to convey a fiction or non-
fiction, but more than that, it can be as a propaganda
or a medium to convey opinions.
The early period of Japanese Graphic narrative,
along with the invention of printing technology in
the Nara period (710-794), the Japanese was able to
document and duplicate their traditional storytelling
richness in the caricatural form known as toba-e.
The graphic narrative has accepted by the Japanese
people who were at that time had already familiar
with reading and writing. The illustrated story was
firstly introduced in Japan by Buddhist scholars
from Central Asia, to tell a story about the journey
of Buddha, on scrolls (emaki) that dominated with
picture. This Japan's narrative art unique
characteristic which emphasizes the expressive
visualization detail on clothing, gestures, and show
concern to the social customs are still survives as
one of the Japanese comic books unique
characteristics until now. One of the artists form Edo
periods (1603-1868), Katsushika Hokusai, known by
his dramatic depictions of Mount Fuji, The Great
Wave of Kanagawa, also known as the artist who
popularized the word Manga that derived from the
Mandarin, Manhua, which has the meaning as
"spontaneous sketches". The word Manga
popularized by through his book title, Hokusai
Manga, which was first published in 1814 up to 12
edition contains caricatures and studies various
poses of animals and humans in daily activities such
as farming, hunting, sporting activities and games,
including imaginative images of godlike and spirits
(Petersen, 2011). The purpose of publishing the
book is to promote his owns drawing style to a wider
audience.
However, what does not exist on the Hokusai
Manga is an attempt to tell a story. Although Japan
has a long history in terms of storytelling through
pictures, but none of these traditions in accordance
with the definition of Manga in the 20th century.
Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy, who
recognised as the father of modern manga since the
comic become the "blueprint" of modern Manga.
Tezuka was emphasizing in time frame movement
on his comic that gives "filmic" feeling to the comic
readers, as perceived when watching film. Visual
language on Tezuka’s comics similar to Will
Eisner's definition of comic as "framing time"
(Darmawan, 2012).
Manga are often portraying Japan in details in
the package of simple fiction or non-fiction
stories.Biographical manga, one of genre in the
Japanese comic, become a media to deliver
knowledge as well as to convey the value from
world recognised organizations or people in Japan
which are inseparable from the traditional Japanese
ethics and culture. One of the ethics that has been
embedded for a long time among the Japanese
society is Bushido or the spirit and ethics of the
Samurai (Bushi) which includes loyalty, willing to
sacrifice, honesty, discipline, and Perseverance. The
ethics and spirit of Bushido itself has been added by
the doctrine of the mean from Confucius thought in
the Edo period that ruled by the Great Generals
(Shogun) Tokugawa family to foster the morals of
Samurais to make them not to be tempted by
materialistic desires or not to be used against the
government. The doctrine teaches the equilibrium
principle of the relationship between government
and people that emphasizes in harmony and balance
in various aspects of life (Sadono, 2004). After the
government succeeded to indoctrinate the samurais,
the Bushido ethic applies to all levels of society,
thus Tokugawa succeeded in shaping the character
of the nation in various fields and layers of society
and community organizations adopted until today.
The combination of Bushido's spirit and the
doctrine of equilibrium also generates basic values
and work guidelines for many modern Japanese
corporate managements that includes honesty,
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