Manga

Manga (Japanese: 漫画) are comics or graphic novels that come from Japan. They have a special style that started in the late 1800s and have a long history in Japanese art. The word "manga" in Japan means both comics and cartooning, but everywhere else it usually points to comics that were first published in Japan.

In Japan, people of every age and background enjoy reading manga. You can find manga in many different kinds of stories, like action, adventure, comedy, mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, sports, and more. Many manga get translated into other languages so people all over the world can read them.

Since the 1950s, manga have become a big part of Japan's publishing industry. By 1995, Japan sold about 1.9 billion manga books and magazines each year. Even today, manga are very popular, and many people around the world read them. Big companies like Shueisha, Kodansha, Kadokawa, and Shogakukan are the top manga publishers. In places like North America, France, and many other countries, manga have become a favorite part of the comics world.

Usually, manga are printed in black-and-white to save time and money, though some are full-color. Stories often start in big manga magazines and later get put together into books called "tankōbon." If a manga becomes really popular, it might even get made into an animated show or movie.

Etymology

The word "manga" comes from the Japanese word 漫画, made up of two parts: 漫 (man), meaning 'whimsical or impromptu,' and 画 (ga), meaning 'pictures'. This same word is the root of the Korean term for comics, manhwa, and the Chinese term manhua.

The term began to be commonly used in the late 18th century with books like Santō Kyōden's Shiji no yukikai from 1798, and later with works such as Aikawa Minwa's Manga hyakujo (1814) and the famous Hokusai Manga books (1814–1834) by artist Hokusai. Rakuten Kitazawa was the first to use "manga" in its modern sense. In Japanese, "manga" covers all kinds of cartooning and comics, while in English it usually means "Japanese comics", similar to how "anime" refers to Japanese animation. The term "ani-manga" describes comics made from animation frames.

History and characteristics

See also: Kibyōshi and Kamishibai

Manga originated from emakimono (scrolls) and Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga, dating back to the 12th century. During the Edo period (1603–1867), a book of drawings titled Toba Ehon helped shape what we now call manga. The word "manga" became common in 1798 with works like Santō Kyōden's Shiji no yukikai and later with Hokusai Manga books.

After World War II, manga grew in popularity with artists like Osamu Tezuka, known for Astro Boy, and Machiko Hasegawa, known for Sazae-san. Tezuka’s style, like a motion picture with dynamic panels, influenced many artists. Hasegawa focused on daily life and women’s experiences, shaping shōjo manga_ aimed at girls.

From the 1950s to the 1960s, manga for boys (shōnen manga_) became popular, exploring topics like robots, space travel, and heroic adventures. Themes often included science fiction, technology, sports, and supernatural settings. Manga for young men (seinen manga) also developed, focusing on action, humor, and honor.

Publications and exhibition

In Japan, manga was a big business, worth about 40.6 billion yen (around US$395 million) each year by 2007. Manga books made up about 27% of all book sales, and manga magazines made up 20% of all magazine sales. Manga has become popular all over the world, with companies translating and printing it in many different languages.

Manga is often grouped by who it is meant for, like boys (shōnen) or girls (shōjo). These have different covers and are kept on separate shelves in bookstores. Japan even has special places called manga cafés, or manga kissa, where people can drink coffee, read manga, and sometimes stay overnight. The Kyoto International Manga Museum has a big website listing manga published in Japanese.

Magazines

Manga magazines have many stories going on at once, with each story getting about 20 to 40 pages per issue. Some magazines also have short stories or comic strips. Popular magazines for boys include Weekly Shōnen Jump, Weekly Shōnen Magazine, and Weekly Shōnen Sunday. For girls, popular ones are Ciao, Nakayoshi, and Ribon. Artists often start with short stories to get noticed. Magazines don’t always last a long time.

Collected volumes

Main article: Tankōbon

After a manga story runs for a while, the chapters are collected into books called tankōbon. These are like graphic novels and are printed on better paper. They help readers catch up or save money compared to buying each magazine issue. Some special editions are made for older fans.

History

The first manga magazine, Eshinbun Nipponchi, was made in 1874 by Kanagaki Robun and Kawanabe Kyosai. It was influenced by a British cartoon magazine. Over time, more magazines for children and teens appeared, with some focusing on wars and others on fun stories.

Dōjinshi

Main article: Dōjinshi

Dōjinshi are homemade manga made by small groups or individuals, not big companies. The big event for these is Comiket, a huge comic book fair. These books can tell new stories or use characters from popular shows. In 2007, they were worth about 27.73 billion yen (US$245 million), making up about a tenth of Japan’s total manga sales.

Digital manga

Thanks to the internet, new ways have emerged for artists, called mangaka, to share and sell their manga online. Previously, artists could take their work to a publisher or enter contests run by magazines. Now, many manga are released digitally, known as web manga. Websites like Pixiv and Twitter allow artists to share their work, with some amateur pieces even becoming professional, like One-Punch Man.

Big publishers have also created digital magazines and websites. For example, Shogakukan runs Sunday Webry and Ura Sunday, offering weekly chapters and contests. Apps like Jump Paint from Weekly Shōnen Jump help users create their own manga. The growth of digital manga is linked to more people reading on smartphones and computers. While paper manga sales have declined, digital manga sales have been rising each year. In 2024, digital manga made up most of Japan’s ¥704.3 billion manga market.

Although webtoons are popular in Asia, Japan has been slower to adopt them. However, companies like Comico, Naver Webtoon, and Piccoma have found success by offering color webtoons with animations and a pay-per-chapter model. Some popular Japanese webtoons have even been turned into anime and printed books.

International markets

Manga has become very popular around the world. By 2007, its influence had grown a lot over the past two decades, affecting comics markets and artists outside Japan.

Traditionally, manga stories are read from top to bottom and right to left. Some publishers keep this original format when translating manga into other languages. Others change the pages so they read left to right, known as "flipping." This can sometimes change details, like text on characters' shirts or handedness, but it makes it easier for readers used to left-to-right reading.

In recent years, Japan has worked to promote manga internationally, aiming to boost its economy. This includes inviting international artists to Japan and linking manga with tourism. Manga has also influenced comic styles in many countries, including Asia, Europe, and the United States, where it has become a major part of the comic book market.

Localized manga

Main articles: Manfra and Original English-language manga

Artists in the United States have created comics inspired by manga. For example, Vernon Grant drew manga-style comics while living in Japan in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Other notable works include Frank Miller's Ronin, Ben Dunn's Ninja High School, and Adam Warren and Toren Smith's The Dirty Pair.

By the early 2000s, U.S. publishers began producing manga-style works by American artists. Companies like eigoMANGA, Seven Seas Entertainment, and TokyoPop introduced series such as Rumble Pak, Sakura Pakk, World Manga, and original English-language manga. In France, artists like Frédéric Boilet developed their own style called la nouvelle manga, often working with Japanese creators.

Awards

The Japanese manga industry gives out many awards, often sponsored by publishers. Winning usually means getting published in magazines from the sponsor. Some famous awards include the Akatsuka Award for funny manga, the Dengeki Comic Grand Prix for short stories, and the Kodansha Manga Award for different types of manga.

There are also international awards like the International Manga Award, started in 2007, and newer awards such as the American Manga Awards, begun in 2024 to celebrate manga available in English.

University education

Some universities in Japan, like Kyoto Seika University, offer courses to study manga. These courses began around the year 2000 and many schools now have special training for students who want to learn about manga.

Some people debate whether these schools are helpful. Writer Shuho Sato thinks that learning manga skills on the job might be faster and cheaper than spending years and money in school.