I found an interesting Comipress article. A Tradition in Plagiarism. > [link]

Some may think it goes unseen, but most fans do have that little "Ah-ha" moment when someone exactly copies their favorite manga scenes *or* anime scenes. It affects how they view artists, too. True, most people won't take the time to call attention to it, but they will remember what an artist does, and continue to scrutinize that artist's work, possibly forever.  I can't tell you how many times I've seen paneling and illustrations copied from popular series like Bleach or Naruto, but with the faces and clothes of the artist's OCs. This is still copying, and most people will recognize this. Even in Japan, things like this get pointed out and the artists get in in trouble or fired. Here across the ocean, we may not think about it as much as we should sometimes. I know dA has a lax policy on such things, but I thought it'd make for interested conversation and maybe help us all to remember and value our integrity.

2. I think influence is ok. I realize there is a whole lot of gray area here. Art *lives* in the gray area. Copying poses does not really equal breaching artists integrity all of the time. After all, there are things put out there with the express purpose of being reference. Some stuff is classical, some stuff is public domain... Sometimes, people just sit the same way, or jump into the air in a similar fashion. People *can* and *do* assume similar poses in everyday life. Some stuff is "stock" posture, as in modeling. Many models will assume the same poses. But when it comes to comic spreads, there is something very obvious when one chooses to copy entire spreads on multiple occasions...

I guess the safest thing is, if one feels that something accidentally bears too strong a resemblance to something else, redo it. Take your own resource images. That way, even if you get accused of something, you have your own stash of reference photos to back yourself up. Go to theaters, parks, and ball games. Bribe your tall male friend to go on the school stage and act like William Duberfort while you lay on your belly and get that perfect upwards angle! You don't have to travel far. People and environments are everywhere, and cameras are relatively cheap nowadays. Even your cell phones come equipped with basic cameras. Get shots of people in action. If you use a resource image from elsewhere, get permission, use royalty-free, or buy the stock image rights to draw it. Photographers have to make a living, too. I begged some of my friends to take London photographs for me. Anthony and Silvia came to my aid. (I really owe them a lot). But I also bought tons of Corel royalty-free stock to reference. I buy tons of reference of actual places all over the world so I can attempt to make original compositions and use my own imagination made up of all the things I'm exposed to rather than snagging layouts or anime scenes. Watch NatGeo. Watch the travel channel. Expose yourself to architecture... We can only try our best. Sometimes, influence happens, and in some cases, mild coincidences do occur. But if we keep our honesty and integrity, people will hopefully respect us and support us.

We don't wanna wind up like This. People even notice when artists lift entire scenes. Some of the stuff I see on this site I disagree with, no doubt, but that's probably because I've collected SO many Japanese animation reference books. Some of the stuff on here IS from the basic reference manuals, really, and I wouldn't find it copying. (I don't agree w/the entire site.)

There are tons of animation manuals produced in Japan, which are made with the express purpose of being reference for animators (and thus comickers). And Hell knows, if I can get my hands on animation reference, I'm sure as heck many mangaka have them. (Pose Reference books and how-to sequence motions for sports, etc). Like the basic "slap a character," here. In my opinion, that one isn't copying, because the entire thing is laid out in reference books in a similar fashion. Repeatedly. It's in basic paneling books. On the other hand, some stuff is just obvious. Riiiiiight. Some things, others might think of as basic shoujo spreads, but people really care about these sort of things.

Again, I don't think all the poses are copied on this site in particular. Some of the things, like the video at the ends, are jokes! XD BUT. When artists do entire scenes and well-known illustrations, someone is bound to notice. Alluding to something in a creative, fun way can be considered homage, I think, but sometimes, copying is just copying. Especially if it's done a lot. Just something to be aware of. ^^ I think it would be a bad habit to fall into. I thought it was an interesting article anyway!

--All images from Comipress Article: A Tradition in Plagiarism ([link]

It was written in 2007 but is still relevant, I think. ^^