Manga fans can collect something new: a doctorate

[June 07, 2011]  TOKYO (AP) -- To earn this Ph.D., you need to hit the books -- specifically, Japanese comic books.

Japan's Kyoto Seika University said Tuesday it will launch the country's first doctoral program in manga studies next year.

The private university in western Japan is well known for its manga and anime programs and established a master's degree course in manga last year.

Manga comics and graphic novels are often less action-oriented and cuter than their traditional U.S. counterparts.

The university says it has received overseas requests for an advanced center for manga research, and that the industry is in transition amid globalization and the growth of digital media.

The university plans to enroll four doctoral students starting next year.

[Associated Press]

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