East meets West in Mangaman by Barry Lyga, a graphic novel about a teenage boy named Ryoko from a manga comic who falls through a rift and ends up in the "real" world of a Western comic. With his long hair, girlish good looks, and manga style, Ryoko stands out in his new high school. Marissa Montaigne, however, thinks Ryoko is fascinating. But Ryoko doesn't belong in the "real" world, and as tensions between Ryoko and the other Western characters rise, he has to choose between his love for Marissa and the possibility of returning to his own world.
This story is probably not the best story for readers who have never read manga before. Manga fans, however, will love the way the Western characters react to Ryoko's sweat-drops of nervousness, heart-shaped eyes, motion lines, and kung fu battles. There are also tons of jokes about the art of comics themselves. Ryoko sometimes gets confused and walks through panels from right to left, the direction manga is read in Japan. The characters also realize they're in a comic and start jumping around and through panels.
The story packs a lot of plot into just one short volume, so it might feel rushed to readers who prefer a more leisurely pace. But if you're looking for a commentary on the differences between Eastern and Western comics, this story is for you!
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