How to Get into Reading Manga: Best Suggestions for Beginners

How to Get into Reading Manga: Tips and Suggestions for Beginners | Read Manga Online : If you’re a fan of graphic novels or comic books, you’ve likely heard the term ‘manga’ at least once. But what is manga exactly? This blog post will dive deep into the world of manga, a unique form of Japanese comic art that has gained global popularity. We will cover the history, genres, and impact of manga on popular culture, Lets explore the phrase ‘what is manga?’.

Table of Contents

What is Manga? A Brief History:

To understand what is manga, we must first examine its roots. Manga, which literally means “whimsical pictures” in Japanese, has been an integral part of Japanese culture for centuries. The first examples of manga can be traced back to the 12th century, with the creation of the Choju-jinbutsu-giga (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans). However, the modern form of manga we recognize today emerged during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, inspired by Western comic strips and the unique artistic style of Japanese woodblock prints.

What is Manga? Genres and Styles:

When exploring what is manga, it’s essential to understand the diverse genres and styles that make up this rich medium. Manga encompasses a wide variety of genres, catering to different age groups and interests. Some popular genres include:

Shonen (for boys): This genre features action-packed stories with young male protagonists, usually focusing on themes like friendship, rivalry, and personal growth. Famous examples include Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball.
Shojo (for girls): Shojo manga typically revolves around romance and relationships, often with a strong emphasis on emotions and character development. Popular titles include Sailor Moon, Fruits Basket, and Ouran High School Host Club.
Seinen (for young adults): This genre targets a more mature audience, addressing themes like politics, philosophy, and social issues. Some renowned seinen manga are Berserk, Ghost in the Shell, and Monster.
Josei (for women): Josei manga caters to adult women, exploring themes like career, love, and family life. Examples of this genre are Honey and Clover, Paradise Kiss, and Nodame Cantabile.

What is Manga? The Art and Production Process:

As we continue to explore what is manga, let’s delve into its distinct art style and production process. Manga is typically black and white, using a combination of ink and screentone (a special type of shading material) to create visually striking images. Manga artists, known as mangaka, usually work with assistants to produce their work. The process involves storyboarding, penciling, inking, applying screentone, and finally, lettering.

What is Manga? Impact on Popular Culture:

Manga has had a significant impact on popular culture, both within Japan and globally. Many popular manga series have been adapted into anime (Japanese animated TV shows or movies), such as Naruto, One Piece, and Attack on Titan. Moreover, manga has influenced Western comic artists and writers, leading to the creation of works like Avatar: The Last Airbender and RWBY.

Understand the Manga Terminology

Before you dive into the world of manga, it’s essential to understand some basic terminology. The following are some of the most common terms you’ll come across:

Manga: Comics or graphic novels from Japan, often with distinctive visual and storytelling styles.
Chapter: Manga is typically published in serialized chapters in magazines or online. A single volume of manga can contain multiple chapters.
Volume: A book-like collection of manga chapters.
Series: A manga that has multiple volumes or chapters. Some series can be long-running and have hundreds of chapters.
Shonen: Manga aimed at boys, usually featuring action and adventure.
Shojo: Manga aimed at girls, often featuring romance and drama.
Seinen: Manga aimed at adult men.
Josei: Manga aimed at adult women.

Understanding these terms will help you navigate the world of manga and find the type of stories you enjoy reading Manga.

Choose a Genre That Interests You

Manga covers a wide variety of genres, from action and adventure to romance and drama. If you’re not sure where to start, think about the types of books, movies, or TV shows you enjoy.

Some popular manga genres include:

Shonen: Action, adventure, sports, and superhero stories aimed at young boys. Popular shonen manga include Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball Z.
Shojo: Romance, drama, and comedy aimed at young girls. Popular shojo manga include Fruits Basket, Sailor Moon, and Ouran High School Host Club.
Seinen: Action, horror, and mature themes aimed at adult men. Popular seinen manga include Berserk, Attack on Titan, and Vagabond.
Josei: Romance, drama, and slice-of-life stories aimed at adult women. Popular josei manga include Nana, Honey and Clover, and Paradise Kiss.

By choosing a genre that interests you, you’ll be more likely to enjoy your manga reading experience.

Find a Platform to Reading Manga Online

There are many ways to reading manga online, including websites and apps. Some of the most popular platforms for reading manga include:

Crunchyroll: A popular streaming service for anime and manga, with a vast library of titles to choose from.
Comixology: An Amazon-owned platform that offers digital comics and manga, with a focus on Western comics but has a few Manga titles as well.
VIZ Media: A publisher that offers a wide variety of manga titles for purchase and also have a subscription-based streaming service called VIZ Media.
MangaPlus: A free platform from Shueisha, the Japanese publisher of popular manga like One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, and My Hero Academia. They offer a limited selection of manga titles, but they are updated weekly.
MangaDex: A free website where users can read manga translated by fans in many different languages. It’s a great platform for finding new and lesser-known manga titles.

Start with a Popular Manga Series

If you’re not sure where to start, try reading some of the most popular manga series. These titles are popular for a reason and are a great way to get a taste of the manga world. Some of the most popular manga series include:

Naruto: A shonen manga series about a young ninja named Naruto Uzumaki, who dreams of becoming the strongest ninja in his village.

One Piece: A shonen manga series about a pirate named Monkey D. Luffy, who sets out to find the world’s greatest treasure.
Attack on Titan: A seinen manga series set in a world where humanity lives behind giant walls to protect themselves from man-eating Titans.
Sailor Moon: A shojo manga series about a group of magical girls who fight evil to protect the world.
Death Note: A seinen manga series about a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it.

Starting with a popular series can help you get a sense of what you like and what you don’t like in manga.

Reading Manga Reviews and Recommendations

Reading manga reviews and recommendations can help you discover new manga series to read. You can find reviews on websites like Goodreads, Amazon, and MyAnimeList. You can also join online communities like Reddit or Discord to discuss manga with other fans and get recommendations.

Join a Manga Club or Book Club

Joining a manga club or book club is a great way to connect with other manga fans and discover new titles. You can find manga clubs and book clubs on websites like Meetup or Facebook. You can also join online communities like Discord or Reddit to discuss manga with other fans.

Experiment with Different Types of Manga

One of the best things about manga is its diversity. There are manga series for every age group, interest, and genre. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of manga to find what you enjoy. You might be surprised to find that you enjoy a genre you never thought you would like.

Don’t Be Afraid to Drop a Series

Not every manga series is going to be for you, and that’s okay. If you find yourself not enjoying a series, don’t be afraid to drop it and move on to something else. You don’t want to waste your time and money on something you don’t enjoy.

How to Get into Reading Manga: Best Suggestions for Beginners | Read Manga Online