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Anime (ah-NIH-may) is a term for Japanese animation. Anime often covers more serious topics than the typical cartoon. In America, cartoons are considered a form of entertainment meant for children. In Japan, people of all ages watch anime.

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By Amanda Pagan, Children's Librarian

So you want to start reading manga?

We're here to help. Here, we break down the basics you need to know before delving into the wide, fantastic world of Japanese graphic novels, a.k.a manga.

What is manga?

Manga is an umbrella term for a wide variety of comic books and graphic novels originally produced and published in Japan. Unlike American comic books, which are usually printed in full color, Japanese manga are almost always published in black and white. Full-color prints are often only used for special releases.

Japanese manga is read right-to-left rather than left-to-right, which is the norm for English language publications. This can take some getting used to if you have only ever read English publications, but you will hardly notice once you've practiced enough.

In Japan, manga are typically released on a monthly or a weekly chapter-by-chapter basis through manga magazines such as Weekly Shōnen Jump, (which has been in circulation since 1968). If a series is popular enough, its chapters are then collected and published into volumes called tankōbon volumes, which usually feature a few chapters of the overall story.

Most manga series are long-running and can span multiple volumes. This is something to keep in mind when starting a new series as it is imperative you read the volumes in the correct order. This might be easier for small series, such as Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon, which only has about 12 volumes, versus longer-running series such as Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball, which has 42 volumes.

What is the difference between manga and anime?

Anime is yet another umbrella term for all forms of animation created and published in Japan. When most people hear the word 'anime,' they think of adaptations of manga series, such as Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon. Both television shows boosted the popularity of Japanese anime in the west when they aired on American TV during the 1990s.

If a manga series is popular enough, it might then become an anime, as was the case with both Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon. In some cases, the opposite is true; a popular original anime will be given a manga adaptation. However, the two terms are not interchangeable.

Anime is animation. Manga is print. That is the difference.

Where should I start?

The most important thing to remember about manga is there is something for everyone. Whether you like high school romantic comedies or high-fantasy epics, there is a manga for you.

Manga is chiefly categorized by audience first, then genre. For example, CLAMP's Cardcaptor Sakura is a shojo (young girls) "magical girl" (sub-genre) manga. However, this does not mean a boy cannot enjoy the series. That is simply how they are marketed. If you were looking for manga for a young boy who likes fantasy or mystery, you would search for "shonen (boy) fantasy" or "shonen mystery" manga.

We would need an entirely different blog post to cover the gargantuan number of manga genres and sub-genres that exist so, for now, we will simply cover the types of audiences to which manga are marketed. If you are looking for more information on manga genres and subgenres, then check out: Beginner's Guide to Manga 3: Genres and Subgenres.

Don't forget to check out our handy Manga for Middle-Schoolers guide for further recommendations!

Primarily, there are five demographics of manga:

Is there anything else I should know about manga?

There is no rule stating a grown man cannot read a shojo series or, likewise, a teen girl cannot enjoy a seinen series. It all boils down to personal taste.

Many manga series cross gender and age divides to be enjoyed by everyone, such as Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist. There are also manga that defy the conventions of their genre, such as Kaiu Shirai's Promised Neverland and Kiyohiko Azuma's , which are technically shonen manga, although both feature female protagonists.

We mention this so readers can have a better understanding of what differentiates certain manga series. More often than not, people assume all manga is geared towards teens or children, which can lead to problems if a well-meaning educator, parent, or librarian unwittingly gives a young child access to a sexually explicit manga meant for adults.

As with any other form of narrative, manga can run the gamut from serious, heart-wrenching drama to silly, mindless fun. Most manga feature over-exaggerated situations, comedy, or art, as over-exaggeration is practically a staple of the brand.

A Brief Warning: Fan Service and Oversexualized Characters

Fan service is also something to keep in mind. This refers to art that only exists to please or titillate the fans. Acts of fan service never further the plot or offer character development, and simply serve as gratuitous content, such as featuring a series' prominent character in a revealing costume or pseudo-sexual situation. Nakaba Suzuki's Seven Deadly Sins is a high-fantasy series that features an overabundant amount of fan service that makes it unsuitable for young children. Fan service appears in almost all types of manga and can range from harmless fun to seriously disturbing.

Unfortunately, a large chunk of manga (specifically those targeted towards the male demographic) tend to feature a disproportionate amount of oversexualized female characters. It is not unusual for female characters to randomly lose their clothing, wear revealing clothing, or be accosted in a sexual manner by the other male characters. Sexual assault is not something to be taken lightly, however, it is often played for laughs within these manga. For this reason, we encourage you to double check and read through the manga yourself before giving them to your children, especially young impressionable boys. There are plenty of thoughtful, well-developed series out there that are perfectly appropriate for readers of all ages. We have listed several titles for younger children in our Manga for Middle-Schoolers guide.

Our job is not to censure readers, but we do want to empower and inform our patrons so they can make their own decisions. Again, we mention this as a warning to parents, educators, and librarians before they unwittingly give someone the wrong material.

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A Beginner's Guide to Manga | The New York Public Library

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Want to start reading manga? You've come to the right place. We've defined five major categories of this Japanese-based comic book art, and...

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What Is The Difference Between Manga And Anime?

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What Is The Difference Between Manga And Anime?

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At Japan Craft we are often asked what the difference between manga and anime is. Although they are both equally important to Japanese culture and entertainment, the two are not the same thing. Put simply, manga is the term given to Japanese comic books and graphic novels, whereas anime is the name given to Japanese animation.

Although both tend to be considered genres in the West, in reality they are a description of how the content is produced. They share many similarities and the creation of both has been credited to Osamu Tezuka, sometimes referred to as 'the godfather of Manga' and the 'Japanese Walt Disney'.

To decide which one is more your cup of tea, you must first truly understand both manga and anime.

What is manga?

Manga are comic books rather than animations. Unlike anime, manga is often published in black and white. Why? Because they are usually published weekly and printing them in colour would take too much time and money.

Manga is usually fairly cheap to publish and only requires a small number of artists to produce. In fact it can take just one, the mangaka, who is usually both the author and illustrator, as well as filling in other roles of the publishing process.

What is Anime?

In Japan the term anime is used to refer to all animation, much like cartoon is in English. Only elsewhere has anime become the term associated exclusively with animation from Japan.

There is some debate over whether the term anime can be given to animation not from Japan. Although it technically can, anime has, at least in the English language, become synonymous with Japan.

Anime has visually distinct features for characters, and deliberately uses a limited style for depicting movement. In the West, most animations are cartoons used to tell children stories, whereas anime often involves complex storylines and characters with adult themes.

Manga can be more original

Manga is considered by some to be more artistically original than anime, much the same as books are to films. This is because most mangaka write only original content and many start by self-publishing. In fact, self-published works, or doujinshi, are incredibly popular. Unlike manga, lots of anime are based pre-existing stories. This is because it's cheaper to adapt an existing work than it is to create a completely original storyline. Additionally, adaptations are assumed to be a safer investment; as the original work will already have a following.

Manga is a much quicker way of publishing work than anime. A single issue of a manga can be written, drawn, and inked within a single week. On the other hand, an anime series will usually require months of preparation and work to produce each episode.

Which is better: manga or anime?

Impossible to say. That depends on the person and the story. The two can be very closely linked as many manga get made into anime, including Black Butler, Attack on Titan and Dragon Ball which spawned the anime series Dragon Ball Z.

Although neither is a genre, Japanese graphic novels and animation are particularly distinctive. Some fans will love manga, some will love anime. Many will love both. One thing is for certain, both manga and anime are incredibly popular with audiences in Japan and around the world.

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What is the difference between manga and anime?

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At Japan Craft we are often asked what the difference between manga and anime is. Although they are both equally important to Japanese culture and entertainment, the two are not the same thing. Put simply, manga is the term given to Japanese comic books and graphic novels, whereas anime is the name given to Japanese animation.

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By Amanda Pagan, Children's Librarian

So you want to start reading manga?

We're here to help. Here, we break down the basics you need to know before delving into the wide, fantastic world of Japanese graphic novels, a.k.a manga.

What is manga?

Manga is an umbrella term for a wide variety of comic books and graphic novels originally produced and published in Japan. Unlike American comic books, which are usually printed in full color, Japanese manga are almost always published in black and white. Full-color prints are often only used for special releases.

Japanese manga is read right-to-left rather than left-to-right, which is the norm for English language publications. This can take some getting used to if you have only ever read English publications, but you will hardly notice once you've practiced enough.

In Japan, manga are typically released on a monthly or a weekly chapter-by-chapter basis through manga magazines such as Weekly Shōnen Jump, (which has been in circulation since 1968). If a series is popular enough, its chapters are then collected and published into volumes called tankōbon volumes, which usually feature a few chapters of the overall story.

Most manga series are long-running and can span multiple volumes. This is something to keep in mind when starting a new series as it is imperative you read the volumes in the correct order. This might be easier for small series, such as Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon, which only has about 12 volumes, versus longer-running series such as Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball, which has 42 volumes.

What is the difference between manga and anime?

Anime is yet another umbrella term for all forms of animation created and published in Japan. When most people hear the word 'anime,' they think of adaptations of manga series, such as Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon. Both television shows boosted the popularity of Japanese anime in the west when they aired on American TV during the 1990s.

If a manga series is popular enough, it might then become an anime, as was the case with both Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon. In some cases, the opposite is true; a popular original anime will be given a manga adaptation. However, the two terms are not interchangeable.

Anime is animation. Manga is print. That is the difference.

Where should I start?

The most important thing to remember about manga is there is something for everyone. Whether you like high school romantic comedies or high-fantasy epics, there is a manga for you.

Manga is chiefly categorized by audience first, then genre. For example, CLAMP's Cardcaptor Sakura is a shojo (young girls) "magical girl" (sub-genre) manga. However, this does not mean a boy cannot enjoy the series. That is simply how they are marketed. If you were looking for manga for a young boy who likes fantasy or mystery, you would search for "shonen (boy) fantasy" or "shonen mystery" manga.

We would need an entirely different blog post to cover the gargantuan number of manga genres and sub-genres that exist so, for now, we will simply cover the types of audiences to which manga are marketed. If you are looking for more information on manga genres and subgenres, then check out: Beginner's Guide to Manga 3: Genres and Subgenres.

Don't forget to check out our handy Manga for Middle-Schoolers guide for further recommendations!

Primarily, there are five demographics of manga:

Is there anything else I should know about manga?

There is no rule stating a grown man cannot read a shojo series or, likewise, a teen girl cannot enjoy a seinen series. It all boils down to personal taste.

Many manga series cross gender and age divides to be enjoyed by everyone, such as Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist. There are also manga that defy the conventions of their genre, such as Kaiu Shirai's Promised Neverland and Kiyohiko Azuma's , which are technically shonen manga, although both feature female protagonists.

We mention this so readers can have a better understanding of what differentiates certain manga series. More often than not, people assume all manga is geared towards teens or children, which can lead to problems if a well-meaning educator, parent, or librarian unwittingly gives a young child access to a sexually explicit manga meant for adults.

As with any other form of narrative, manga can run the gamut from serious, heart-wrenching drama to silly, mindless fun. Most manga feature over-exaggerated situations, comedy, or art, as over-exaggeration is practically a staple of the brand.

A Brief Warning: Fan Service and Oversexualized Characters

Fan service is also something to keep in mind. This refers to art that only exists to please or titillate the fans. Acts of fan service never further the plot or offer character development, and simply serve as gratuitous content, such as featuring a series' prominent character in a revealing costume or pseudo-sexual situation. Nakaba Suzuki's Seven Deadly Sins is a high-fantasy series that features an overabundant amount of fan service that makes it unsuitable for young children. Fan service appears in almost all types of manga and can range from harmless fun to seriously disturbing.

Unfortunately, a large chunk of manga (specifically those targeted towards the male demographic) tend to feature a disproportionate amount of oversexualized female characters. It is not unusual for female characters to randomly lose their clothing, wear revealing clothing, or be accosted in a sexual manner by the other male characters. Sexual assault is not something to be taken lightly, however, it is often played for laughs within these manga. For this reason, we encourage you to double check and read through the manga yourself before giving them to your children, especially young impressionable boys. There are plenty of thoughtful, well-developed series out there that are perfectly appropriate for readers of all ages. We have listed several titles for younger children in our Manga for Middle-Schoolers guide.

Our job is not to censure readers, but we do want to empower and inform our patrons so they can make their own decisions. Again, we mention this as a warning to parents, educators, and librarians before they unwittingly give someone the wrong material.

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A Beginner's Guide to Manga | The New York Public Library

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Want to start reading manga? You've come to the right place. We've defined five major categories of this Japanese-based comic book art, and...

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What is anime, and how does it differ from other media?

Where did anime originate, and how did it evolve overtime?

Genres

What are classifications of anime, and how are they defined?

Terminologies

I keep hearing anime-fans say things like "OP" and "CV", what do these terms mean?

Anime (アニメ) is a Japanese term for hand-drawn or computer animation. The word is the abbreviated pronunciation of "animation" in Japanese, where this term references all animation. Outside Japan, anime is used to refer specifically to animation from Japan or as a Japanese-disseminated animation style.

Anime consists of an ideal story-telling mechanism, combining graphic art, characterization, cinematography, and other forms of imaginative and individualistic techniques. The production of anime focuses less on the animation of movement and more on the realism of settings as well as the use of camera effects, including panning, zooming, and angle shots. Being hand-drawn, anime is separated from reality by a crucial gap of fiction that provides an ideal path for escapism that audiences can immerse themselves into with relative ease.

Origination

The earliest commercial Japanese animation dates to 1917, and Japanese anime production has since continued to increase steadily. The characteristic anime art style emerged in the 1960s with the works of Osamu Tezuka.

Anime Vs. Animation

The word anime has also been criticised. In 1987, Hayao Miyazaki stated that he despised the truncated word anime because to him it represented the desolation of the Japanese animation industry.

The history of anime can be traced back to the start of the 20th century, with the earliest verifiable films dating from 1917.

The first generation of animators in the late 1910s included Ōten Shimokawa, Jun'ichi Kōuchi and Seitaro Kitayama, commonly referred to as the "fathers" of anime. Propaganda films, such as Momotarō no Umiwashi (1943) and Momotarō: Umi no Shinpei (1945), the latter being the first anime feature film, were made during World War II. During the 1970s, anime developed further, separating itself from its Western roots, and developing distinct genres such as mecha and its super robot subgenre. Typical shows from this period include Astro Boy, Lupin III and Mazinger Z. During this period several filmmakers became famous, especially Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii.

In the 1980s, anime became mainstream in Japan, experiencing a boom in production with the rise in popularity of anime like Gundam, Macross, Dragon Ball, and genres such as real robot, space opera and cyberpunk. Space Battleship Yamato and The Super Dimension Fortress Macross also achieved worldwide success after being adapted respectively as Star Blazers and Robotech.

The film Akira set records in 1988 for the production costs of an anime film and went on to become an international success. Later, in 2004, the same creators produced Steamboy, which took over as the most expensive anime film. Spirited Away shared the first prize at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival and won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, while Innocence: Ghost in the Shell was featured at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

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What is anime, and how does it differ from other media? Where did anime originate, and how did it evolve overtime? What are classifications of anime, and how are they defined? I keep hearing anime-fans say things like "OP" and "CV", what do these terms mean?

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Anime (ah-NIH-may) is a term for Japanese animation. Anime often covers more serious topics than the typical cartoon. In America, cartoons are considered a form of entertainment meant for children. In Japan, people of all ages watch anime.

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Anime vs. Manga - What's The Difference?

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Anime vs. Manga - What's The Difference?

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Anime and manga have become immensely popular in the English-speaking world, and for good reason. These Japanese storytelling media convey rich stories filled with dynamic characters and vibrant settings that are enjoyable for both children and adults.

You would not be alone, though, if you wondered what the difference is between anime and manga. Both forms originated in Japan, and they have similar visual styles. But, there is an important difference between these genres.

Continue reading to learn whether the popular new series you keep hearing about is manga or anime.

What is the Difference Between Anime and Manga?

In this post, I will compare anime vs. manga, and I will try to avoid offending the sensibilities of fans of these styles. I will use each of these words in example sentences.

I will also give you a helpful memory tool that will allow you to distinguish between manga and anime in the future.

When to Use Anime

What is anime? Anime is a particular style of animation that originated in Japan. It is characterized by high contrast, bright colors, and thematic elements of science fiction and fantasy.

Today, media in the style of anime are created all over the world. Some people only categorize Japanese productions as anime, while others refer to any animations that use this visual style as anime, regardless of where they were produced.

The word anime has an interesting backstory. The Japanese animēshiyon is a loanword from the English animation, which eventually made its way back to English as anime. Essentially, Japanese borrowed a word from English, and then English borrowed it back.

Here are some examples of anime in a sentence,

Sailor Moon is a popular anime among teenage girls.

The anime Howl's Moving Castle, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is widely regarded as a hallmark of the genre.

Gao, a 27-year-old cosmetician in Wenzhou, has watched Japanese animation, or anime, since she was a teenager. -The Wall Street Journal

When to Use Manga

What is manga? Manga is a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels. Like anime, it is characterized by exaggerated facial features and bright colors.

For example,

Ashley flipped through the pages of her new manga while riding the bus.

Students in dorms debate the merits of various manga series well into the early hours of the morning.

Hidden amid the manga stores and costume shops in a labyrinthine subculture shopping complex is Bar Zingaro, a cafe that fuses Norwegian exports - midcentury Scandinavian furnishings, Fuglen coffee - with the colorful art of Takashi Murakami. -The New York Times

The word manga originated in Japanese, from man-, meaning aimless, and -ga, meaning pictures.

Trick to Remember the Difference

To oversimplify manga vs. anime, anime are TV shows or movies, while manga are comic books or graphic novels.

The two media share a unique visual style, and many manga serve as the basis for anime. Still, most manga are never made into anime series, and not anime series are based on manga.

Since the word anime is so closely related to the English animation, you will always be able to remember that anime means animated shows or films.

Is it anime or manga? Anime and manga are two visual media that originated in Japan and share a unique visual style.

Anime refers to animated shows or movies.

Manga refers to comic books or graphic novels.

Both storytelling media use hand- or computer-drawn images that reflect similar visual sensibilities.

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Anime vs. Manga - What's the Difference? - Writing Explained

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Anime and manga have become immensely popular in the English-speaking world, and for good reason. These Japanese storytelling media convey rich stories filled with dynamic characters and vibrant settings that are enjoyable for both children and adults. You would not be alone, though, if you wondered what the difference is between anime and manga.