How to Read Manga

So, if you are new to the manga world and are unsure where to begin, this article will guide you on how to read Japanese manga.

From Death Note to Bleach to Naruto, manga graphic novels have seized the eyes and hearts of comic book readers worldwide. In Japan, manga is so popular that they are read by people of both gender and all ages, and there are more papers used for printing manga than toilet paper.

Also Read: Thank you in Japanese in Different ways

Let’s start with the basics.

Manga Meaning

Mangas are Japanese comic/funny books and graphic novels usually hand-drawn in black & white. Some popular manga series include My Hero Academia, One Piece, One-Punch Man, and Attack on Titan.

2.For tween and teen girls – Shojo

In English, the Japanese word shojo translates to “young girl”, while manga means comic. So, Shojo Manga targets teens and tween girls. The genres are usually Romance, Drama, and Coming of Age.

Some of the readers’ beloved Shojo Manga include Nee Sensei, Shiranai no?, Honey Lemon Soda, Orange, Namaikizakari, Fruits Basket, Yona Of The Dawn, Ao Haru Ride, Yakuza Lover and Maid-Sama!

3.For Adult Men and-seinen

Seinen manga, which is loosely translated means “comic for youth”, targets adult men between the ages of 18 and 40 as the key demographics as they cater to men’s interests in their art.

The genres are usually Action, Violence, Sex, and Adult themes.

Some of the most popular Seinen Manga include Drifters, Berserk, Vinland Saga, Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War, March Comes In Like A Lion, Land Of The Lustrous, One-Punch Man, Blue Period, Black Lagoon and Kingdom.

4.For Adult Women – Josei

Much like Seinen manga, Josei manga targets adults between 18 and 40 years as the key demographics but only caters to women’s interests. So, these types of comics are made for adult women to enjoy.

The genres usually include Romance, Sex, and Drama. Among the most popular Josei mangas are Your name, A Silent Voice, House Of The Sun, Wotakoi: Love Is Hard For Otaku, Queen’s Quality, Perfect World and Devils and Realist.

2. Choosing The Right Manga For You

This is not to say there are right and wrong types of manga, but you need to look for those that are more up your alley.

Before choosing the manga that you will be spending a lot of time with, we suggest that you do a quick background check on it.

For example, read a summary or go through the reviews. After all, you will be the one who will be spending your time and energy on it, so choose one that will be worth it all.

3. Handling manga

Now that you’ve got your manga, let’s going with the way on the best ways to read the manga. The first way is how to place your manga on the table.

Now, to read manga, you need to place the leaf ends on the left so that the book’s spine is positioned to the right. As you can see, unlike other books, this is considered backward reading.

Some manga will warn you that you are reading incorrectly, so don’t worry too much.

4. How To Read Manga Panels

The manga panels should be read from right to left and up and down. You can start with the upper right-hand panel on the corner of the page, then move to the left.

Once you’ve reached the end of that row, you can move on to the far right of the following row of panels.

Also read: Amazing Tips for Managing Small Business Accounts

-The Emotions Of The Characters

• A sigh bubble: A sigh bubble is used when the character is relieved or exasperated. The bubbles will usually be placed below their mouths.

• Lines across the character’s face: When you see lines drawn in the character’s face, usually around their cheeks, it means they are blushing. This could be because they are happy, embarrassed or in love.

• Nose bleed: If you come across a character with a nose bleed, it doesn’t necessarily mean he is harmed or in pain; it means he is having lustful thoughts about another character.

• Sweat: When you see characters with sweat drops on or near their heads, this means that they are uncomfortable or embarrassed.

• Facial shadows: When a panel shows a character with half his face and the background in dark colours such as black and grey, this means that he is angry or irritated about something. It usually represents dark energy.

Where To Read Manga For Free

If you are looking for free online manga to read, the following sites will grant you your wish (Do bear in mind that not all mangas will be available for free online).

• Crunchyroll
• Mangakakalot
• Comic Walker
• Kiss Manga
• Book Walker

To read more tips on Manga reading click on our official Akal Japanese Academy we help you to learn more Japanese culture and Language.