Manga: A popular Japanese comic genre in black and white
Comic books have been a cult form of entertainment for several decades. Even with new forms of media and art, comic books have held their place as a niche form of art since their birth. With box office comic-based blockbusters consistently charting their way to the top, the popularity of comics has only been increasing with time.
A true comic fan would have surely come across the term ‘Manga.’ Hailed to be one of the most striking, engaging genres of comics, Manga has quietly yet effectively paved its way to leave a mark in the world of comics, with fans from all over the world trying to get a hold of its rarest copies. Here is a guide for you to acquaint yourself with this popular comic genre.
What are Manga comics?
Manga is essentially a genre of comics that includes a prolific variety of graphic books and novels (comic books). These comics were written, produced and published in Japan. With immense accessibility offered by the internet, one can read them online. In Japan, Manga is used in reference to both comics as well as cartoons. However, the rest of the world uses that name to refer to just the comics. Almost all Manga comics follow a specific art style which was developed in Japan in the 19th century. It is believed that Manga originated from ancient Japanese scrolls dating back to the 12th century.
Types of Manga
Manga, as a form of art and entertainment, is consumed by almost everyone of all ages in Japan. Its wide variety caters to a diverse audience with distinct tastes. Manga includes major genres of writing such as action, adventure, comedy, detective, drama, romance, sci-fi, sports, etc.
How are they different from other comics?
Manga comics have an aesthetic individuality to them. Unlike most American, British and Belgian comic books, Manga comics are not printed in full colour. Almost all of them are in black and white. This is because the colouring could potentially affect the intricacy of the art work. However, coloured ones are published only as special releases. Another interesting fact about Manga which is related to the Japanese language and script is that these comics are read right-to-left instead of left-to-right.