Hot Girls Read Manga: Building Community for WOC

Thanks to trailblazers like Megan Thee Stallion, interests once deemed ‘nerdy’ are now being publicly celebrated, fostering supportive communities for women who share passions like anime and manga. Brittney Johnson, a product designer with a decade of corporate experience, is now channeling her lifelong love for Japanese media into Hot Girls Read Manga. This digital space, supporting her pop-up bookstore Casita Manga, aims to connect and empower women of color who proudly indulge in Japanese comics.

From Childhood Fascination to Entrepreneurship

Johnson’s connection to manga and anime began in childhood, influenced by her great-grandfather’s Japanese wife, Kimi. This early exposure became a significant part of her identity. After years in corporate America, pushing pixels and optimizing user experiences, Johnson rediscovered the joy of her childhood passions. She realized that her true fulfillment came from connecting with others who shared her interests, going on enthusiastic tangents about series, games, and films.

As an adult consumer of manga, Johnson noticed an unpleasant experience in traditional comic shops, which were often male-dominated. She observed that women interested in manga often resorted to online shopping to avoid uncomfortable interactions. This realization sparked a desire to create a more welcoming and aesthetically pleasing space, a “gorgeous bookshop for the girlies, the gays, everyone,” as she puts it.

The Cultural Resonance of Japanese Media

Johnson highlighted the often-unacknowledged popularity of Japanese media within Latino culture. She noted that shows like Dragon Ball Z are practically a religion in Latin America, with even previous generations growing up watching anime series that paved the way for modern hits like Naruto. This cross-cultural appeal demonstrates how deeply manga and anime resonate across different backgrounds.

Creating a Needed Space for Black and Brown Creators

The inspiration behind Hot Girls Read Manga and Casita Manga stems from observing incredible Black and Brown creators who are already validating the community’s desire for more connection spaces. Johnson admires artists like KofiManga, an African American manga artist who studied in Japan and now teaches a manga-centric course, and Jordan Bentley, whose fashion brand HYPLAND officially partners with anime series. These creators exemplify the intersection of passion and business within the community.

Johnson’s most dedicated supporters, based on foot traffic and interactions, are Black women. She finds their support incredibly uplifting and notes their strong search for connection. This resonates deeply with her, making the project incredibly rewarding. She even mentions Megan Thee Stallion as a source of inspiration, stating that Casita Manga will have truly “made it” if the rapper is aware of it.

Navigating the Manga World: Advice for Newcomers

For those hesitant to dive into the manga world, Johnson offers encouraging advice. She recalls making early TikTok videos explaining how to read manga (backwards, from right to left!), which continue to gain traction, indicating a growing interest. Her approach to recommendations is to connect manga themes to mainstream media interests, like “juicy fiction stories or very wild storytelling.”

She emphasizes that manga and anime often originate from source material, with artists meticulously drawing scenes. This visual storytelling, she explains, is like experiencing the plot in “5D” without losing any narrative depth or joy. Unlike film adaptations that can sometimes miss the mark, manga and anime creators stay true to their vision, ensuring a satisfying experience for readers.

Supporting Casita Manga’s Growth

Currently, Casita Manga is hosting pop-up events at weekend market festivals in New York City, with locations announced on Hot Girls Read Manga. Johnson emphasizes that these pop-ups are less about sales and more about connecting with the community before investing in a brick-and-mortar location. By supporting these events, you’re helping to build the foundation for a vital new space for manga lovers.