Biography
Manga frequently earn the "Turkish Linkin Park" tag, yet the descriptor signals a sonic approach rather than any geographic tie: the Ankara quintet merges alternative metal, rap, and electronic accents with Anatolian melodies. That marriage of international rock frameworks and regional traditions elevated them to Turkey’s foremost rock acts, opening doors across Europe by the close of the 2000s and yielding success at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards.
Formed in 2001, the group spells its name maNga after the Japanese comics that united the five members and shaped their visual aesthetic. Early club dates consisted mainly of covers until guitarist Yagmur Sarigül began supplying original songs. A runner-up finish at the Sing Your Song contest drew the notice of GRGDN manager Hadi Elazzi, who arranged a Sony Music deal. The resulting self-titled debut appeared in 2004 and featured guest spots from alt-rockers Kargo and Vega; it earned gold certification in Turkey for sales exceeding 100,000 copies and delivered a string of awards plus festival bookings.
The album resurfaced in 2006 as Manga+, now expanded with additional tracks. One new cut, the duet “Dursun Zaman” with folk-pop star Göksel, was placed in the hit film Sinav, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme. The same year brought further exposure when “Bir Kadin Çizeceksin” appeared on the FIFA 06 soundtrack and the band performed at Hungary’s Sziget festival. A low-key interval followed, interrupted only by a brief controversy at a London Tarkan concert where Manga withdrew from the support slot over technical shortcomings. They reemerged in 2009 with the album Sehr-i Hüzün and captured the Best European Act trophy at the MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the second Turkish winner after Emre Aydin.
Formed in 2001, the group spells its name maNga after the Japanese comics that united the five members and shaped their visual aesthetic. Early club dates consisted mainly of covers until guitarist Yagmur Sarigül began supplying original songs. A runner-up finish at the Sing Your Song contest drew the notice of GRGDN manager Hadi Elazzi, who arranged a Sony Music deal. The resulting self-titled debut appeared in 2004 and featured guest spots from alt-rockers Kargo and Vega; it earned gold certification in Turkey for sales exceeding 100,000 copies and delivered a string of awards plus festival bookings.
The album resurfaced in 2006 as Manga+, now expanded with additional tracks. One new cut, the duet “Dursun Zaman” with folk-pop star Göksel, was placed in the hit film Sinav, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme. The same year brought further exposure when “Bir Kadin Çizeceksin” appeared on the FIFA 06 soundtrack and the band performed at Hungary’s Sziget festival. A low-key interval followed, interrupted only by a brief controversy at a London Tarkan concert where Manga withdrew from the support slot over technical shortcomings. They reemerged in 2009 with the album Sehr-i Hüzün and captured the Best European Act trophy at the MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the second Turkish winner after Emre Aydin.
Albums
Singles
