What is a manga? It is among the most distinctive aspects of Japanese culture. We'll explore closely what manga is, the different kinds, and how to find affordable manga in this blog.
What is a manga?
What is the manga? Manga refers to comic books and graphic novels in Japanese. Manga magazines in Japan usually publish manga chapter by chapter monthly or weekly.
One example is the Weekly Shōnen Jump. If a manga series is enough popular, its chapters are compiled and published into tankōbon volumes.
Types of manga: Genres explained
Manga not only serves many diverse readers but also reflects different aspects of Japanese culture and storytelling. Here are some of the most popular types of manga genres.
Shonen manga
The most common themes of Shonen manga are action, adventure, friendship, and coming of age.
Some of the most popular shonen manga series have been regularly published by the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine.
These manga series include Shonen Jump mega-hit, Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia, Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, and Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball.
Shojo manga
Shojo manga focuses less on the action and more on romance, drama, and coming of Age. Shojo covers are typically recognizable by their usage of adorable graphics, flowers, or bright pinks.
However, it does not mean that the storylines in shojo manga are adorable and entertaining. Indeed, this comic book in Japanese tells many different stories. Ai Yazawa's Nana is an example.
The story is about two young women as they negotiate drug usage, sexual relationships, and personal connections to achieve their goals.
However, it is still supposed to be a shojo series because it was published in a shojo magazine.
Seinen manga
Seinen manga includes adult elements like sexual encounters, graphic violence, or profanity but with a darker or more serious tone. A series will be classified as seinen if it does not fall under any of the other categories, such as shonen or shojo.
Seinen series typically follow protagonists who must confront a reality where the hero does not always save the day. The comic book in Japanese covers typically have male heroes and are harsh and grim.
Josei manga
Josei manga often features mature narratives. It explores more about romantic and personal relationships. However, this is not always true.
The majority of Josei manga contain sexually explicit scenes, which can vary from mild to almost pornographic.
This makes it comparable to adult romance books written in the United States.
This type of comic book in Japanese frequently has both male and female leads. Male protagonists are typically interested in homoerotic or gay relationships, though this is not always the case.
In contrast, female characters are virtually always pursuing heterosexual relationships.
Manga formats: Volumes vs. serialized Issues
Manga comes in two primary formats: serialized issues and collected volumes.
Serialized Issues are typically released chapter by chapter in weekly or monthly manga magazines. These magazines feature multiple series, often including bonus content like author interviews or fan art.
Collected Volumes are compiled editions of serialized chapters, usually covering a complete arc or several consecutive chapters. They are the go-to format for collectors and those who prefer a cohesive, uninterrupted story.
Cultural significance of manga
Manga is not only a form of entertainment but also culturally significant in Japan and around the world. It serves as a bridge for communication between many countries.
Role in Japanese society
Manga frequently preserves and promotes cultural heritage by including traditional Japanese values, folklore, and surroundings.
In addition, manga promotes learning among younger audiences by providing an appealing platform for teaching science, history, and ethics.
Global influence
Manga has gained a massive international following, shaping global perceptions of Japanese culture and inspiring adaptations in movies, TV, and fashion.
Through translations and digital platforms, manga introduces readers to the Japanese language, customs, and societal issues, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Manga vs. comics: Key differences
Now, you know “what is a manga?”. So, what are the differences between manga and comics? Both of them are forms of visual storytelling. However, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart.
Art Styles
Japanese comic style is very interesting. Characters in manga frequently have big, expressive eyes and exaggerated facial expressions to effectively portray emotions, and the lines are often clean.
The majority of manga are printed in black and white with intricate shading and screen tones to add depth and mood.
Western comics cover a wider spectrum of artistic methods, from realistic depictions to more cartoony or abstract forms.
Comics are printed in full color. This adds vibrancy and enhances visual appeal. Besides, comics typically use more rigid panel layouts, maintaining a consistent format across pages.
Storytelling techniques
Japanese comic style includes storytelling techniques. Manga emphasizes mood and subtle details. This storytelling technique allows for slower pacing, with silent panels or minimal dialogue which adds emotional weight.
Comics tend to prioritize fast-paced plots and dialogue-heavy interactions. It usually involves a team, including writers, artists, inkers, and colorists. All of these things contribute to a diverse creative process.
How to read manga
Japanese manga is not read left-to-right, but rather right-to-left. If you have only ever read English-language newspapers, this may take some getting used to. However, after enough practice, you can do it without noticing.
Best places to buy manga for good prices
Whether you're a collector of raw Japanese manga or English-translated versions, there are plenty of options for you. Here's a breakdown.
For the English version
You can find the English version from many sites, like Book Depository, Right Stuf Anime, Barnes & Noble, and even in Local Comic Book Shops.
Book Depository offers a wide range of English-translated manga with free international shipping. The products are quite affordable.
Right Stuf Anime specializes in manga and anime merchandise. They have frequent sales for series collections.
Barnes & Noble is also a great place for finding popular and recent English-translated manga. You can enjoy many regular promotions like buy-two-get-one-free sales.
Besides, many local comic book shops carry English-translated manga. They may offer discounts, too.
For raw (untranslated) manga
Suruga-ya specializes in second-hand Japanese manga. It often lists rare or older volumes at discounted prices. You may need a proxy buying service like Japan Flow to order from overseas. You can learn the step-by-step guide by clicking here.
Booth Pm stands out as one of the best platforms for purchasing raw manga at great prices. The website connects manga enthusiasts directly to Japanese creators.
It sells a unique selection of independent and niche titles. If you are outside of Japan, you can learn how to order manga from this link.
Shounen Jump Plus is a great platform for purchasing raw manga. It offers a wide selection of titles directly from the publisher.
Mandarake is one of the most reliable sites for buying raw manga. It has physical stores and an online presence.
The items here have affordable prices for both new and vintage manga. Besides, it also provides international shipping to various countries. You can learn to buy from Mandarake at this link.
Rakuten offers a vast selection of raw manga at competitive prices. Many sellers cater to bulk purchases and offer international shipping available.
You can follow our guide to order raw mange from Rakuten if the sellers can not ship to you.
Amazon Japan is one of the best platforms for new manga in Japan. The items here are available at lower prices.
The sellers on this site provide international shipping options for only several countries. Therefore, many foreign buyers use Japan Flow to order more easily. The guide for order is here.
Guide to buying manga from Japan
After knowing clearly about “what is the manga?”, you certainly want to know how to buy manga. Buying manga from Japan is possible even if you are outside of Japan.
However, in many cases, you need to use a third-party proxy buying service to order because many sellers do not offer international shipping. You can use Japan Flow to make orders.
Step 1: Access to the website you want to purchase
To purchase your favorite manga, you should use Google Chrome to visit the website. If necessary, this browser will assist you in translating the page's content into English.
Step 2: Search for items
After that, look for your things using the category and search box.
Step 3: View the product page detail
Click to go to the product pages and see all of the product details.
Step 4: Add items to the product request form on Japan Flow
Use the Japan Flow website to submit a fresh purchase request. The URL of the product page should be copied and pasted into the request form. To finish it, click "Create a buy request".
Step 5: Let us handle the purchase for you
It will take two working days for the form to be approved. The first payment, which covers both the manga's cost and the service fee, must then be made.
As soon as the first payment is received in full, we will buy manga for you. The order will be delivered to our warehouse in three days.
You will then receive a notification and have the option to request packing. Then, shipping is included in the price. You have to make this second payment. Manga will be sent to you after payment.
Now, you get the answer to the question “What is a manga?”. Manga is an excellent source of enjoyment and a fun and efficient way to improve your Japanese. Japan Flow can assist you if you are unable to travel to Japan to purchase manga on your own.