LibGuides: Graphic Novels and Comics: Manga 101

Manga is a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels characterized by its unique art style and wide range of genres from action and fantasy to romance and slice of life. Appealing to all demographics in Japan and worldwide, manga has become a major part of global pop culture, often serving as the basis for anime adaptations.

This page is your "Manga 101" guide to this fascinating art and literary form.

Manga, Manhua, and Manhwa:
Know the Difference

The words manga, manhua, and manhwa are derived from a Japanese word consisting of two characters, "man," meaning whimsical or impromptu, and "ga" meaning picture or drawing. The main distinction is that manga comes from Japan, manhua comes from China, and manhwa comes from Korea, but there are other differences as well. Japanese manga, for example, is usually printed in grayscale and read from right to left, while Korean manhwa is often printed in color and read from left to right.

For an expanded explanation and handy comparison table, see What's the Difference Between Manga, Manhua, & Manhwa?

Manga Genres

Josei = Adult Female
Josei manga is a genre of Japanese comics aimed at adult women, typically featuring realistic and mature themes such as romance, relationships, and everyday life. It often explores more complex emotions and situations than shōjo manga, appealing to readers aged 18 and older.

Kodomo = Children
Kodomo manga is a genre of Japanese comics aimed at young children, typically featuring simple stories, colorful art, and easy-to-understand themes. These comics focus on entertainment and education, making them suitable for readers under the age of 10.

Seinen = Adult Male
Seinen manga is a genre of Japanese comics aimed at adult men, typically featuring more mature themes, complex characters, and darker or more realistic storylines. It often explores topics like politics, relationships, violence, or philosophy, and is intended for readers aged 18 and older.

Shōnen = Younger Male
Shōnen manga is a genre of Japanese comics aimed primarily at young boys, typically featuring action-packed plots, adventure, and themes of friendship, rivalry, and personal growth. It often focuses on male protagonists and appeals to readers between the ages of 12 and 18.

Shōjo = Younger Female
Shōjo manga is a genre of Japanese comics aimed primarily at young girls, typically focusing on romance, relationships, and emotional development. It often features female protagonists and appeals to readers between the ages of 10 and 18.

More Definitions

Anime
A Japanese animation style that often adapts stories originally told in manga form. Anime movies and television shows feature colorful artwork, fantastical themes, and diverse storytelling for audiences of all ages.

Isekai
A genre of fiction, commonly found in Japanese anime, manga, and light novels, where the protagonist is transported from their ordinary world to a different, often fantastical, realm. This genre explores themes of adaptation, adventure, and personal growth as the character navigates the new world's challenges and opportunities.

Light novel
A Japanese work of popular fiction aimed at young adults and illustrated with manga or anime style images.

Manga-ka
A person who writes and/or illustrates manga.

Manga can sometimes confuse western readers. To read manga properly, follow these steps:

Start from the right: Manga is typically read from right to left, both on the page and in panels. To start at the beginning of the story, hold the closed book so that the spine is on the right, then open it as though you were starting from the back. Many manga books include a warning if you begin the wrong way.

If you open a manga book from left to right, stop! You're reading the wrong way!
Image source: WikiHow

Read the panels: Begin with the top-right panel and move to the left, continuing down the page in the same pattern.

Diagram explaining how to read manga panels
Image source: WikiHow

Dialogue bubbles: Within each panel, read the dialogue bubbles from right to left as well, starting from the top-right of each bubble sequence.
Action and sound effects: Pay attention to sound effects, which are often written in stylized text within the artwork and are part of the story's atmosphere.
Visual cues: Manga often uses expressive art, so look at the characters' facial expressions, body language, and background details to enhance the story.

Following these steps will help you enjoy the story as it was intended to be read!

The *Real* Origins of Manga

Eike Exner, author of the Eisner Award winning Comics and the Origins of Manga, challenges the widely held belief that manga evolved from medieval Japanese art. Instead, he explains, the manga we know today was shaped by western influences on Japanese popular culture in the early 20th century.

Osamu Tezuka:
The God of Manga and His Enduring Legacy

Known as the "god" or "godfather" of manga, Osamu Tezuka (1928 - 1989) was the creator of iconic works such as Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, and Black Jack. Often referred to as the "Walt Disney of Japan," Tezuka remains one of the most influential figures in manga and anime.

More History

Manga: A Brief History in 12 Works
British Museum
Manga is Still Hugely Popular, So Why Don't We Talk About it More?
Comics Alliance
A Short History of Manga
Widewalls Magazine

The Great Wave off Kanagawa
by Katsushika Hokusai
(Click image to enlarge)

According to The British Museum, "Artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760 – 1849), the designer of the famous print, The Great Wave, has become closely associated with [manga] because he chose 'manga' for the title of a series of picture-books that he published starting in 1814, the Hokusai manga. These books are collections of assorted sketches, not narratives telling a story, so we have to remember that while Hokusai brought the word manga to popular attention, he thought about it differently than we do today."