Haida manga is a contemporary style of Haida comics and print cartoons that explores the elements of both traditional North Pacific indigenous arts and narrative,[1][2] while also adapting contemporary techniques of artistic design from the western portion of the North Pacific, namely the Japanese manga from which its name derives.
Haida manga have so far been published in several countries including Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Macao, France, and Canada.
[3][4] Haida manga has been recently popularized by artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas who is considered as the father of Haida manga,[5] making its debut in 2001 in his book, A Tale of Two Shamans which led to a series of exhibits (such as at Expo 2005[6] and Tokyo Designers Week 2003[7]) and multiple print runs in Japan and Korea.
Asian interest in the graphic appeal of Haida design is enhanced by the narratives which advocate a hopeful and empowering message.
[8][9] Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas expresses his own interest in Haida manga in that it is "not part of the settler tradition of North America (like Archie or Marvel Comics, for example)".