A Beginner’s Guide to Manga and Anime

PDF download Download Article
Take a closer look at these Japanese storytelling mediums
PDF download Download Article

You’ve seen the words manga and anime floating all over the internet, but you aren’t totally sure what they mean. Sure, they’re both rooted in Japanese culture—but do these words actually have different definitions, or do they both mean the same thing? We’ve taken a deep dive into all of your burning questions, so you can be in the know.

Things You Should Know

  • Manga is a written medium, while anime is an animated medium (like movies and TV shows). Many anime are adapted from existing manga series.
  • Anime and manga have existed for a while, but both became more popular in the mid-to-late 20th century.
  • Anime tends to be a more plot-driven storytelling medium than western cartoons.
Section 1 of 5:

What is the difference between manga and anime?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Manga is an extremely broad term that includes Japanese graphic novels and comics, where most volumes are published without color (apart from the cover). Anime, on the other hand, is a broad term for Japanese animation (movies and TV shows), though many people are familiar with anime as an animated adaptation of an existing manga series. [1]
    • Essentially, the main difference between manga and anime is how you consume them—you read manga, while you watch anime.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

All About Manga

PDF download Download Article
  1. Unlike western books and comics, Japanese literature (including manga) is typically read from right to left as you work your way down the page in a zig-zag pattern. With this in mind, the cover art of a manga volume goes on the “back” of the book, while the basic summary info goes on the “front.” [2]
  2. Many manga series are published as regular chapters in popular Japanese publications (like Weekly Shonen Jump ), but are part of a longer, ongoing narrative. For especially popular manga series, multiple chapters are published in anthologies known as “volumes.” [3]
    • Although manga is originally published in Japanese, many popular series are translated into other languages.
    • An anime series is released once the show is finished being produced. Anime often release episodes on a weekly basis, but only for a limited period of time.
  3. Just like western books, comics, and graphic novels, different types of manga series are marketed to specific age groups. In the world of manga, those groupings are:
    • Shonen: Manga that cater to younger guys. Many popular shonen stories are filled with action and adventure, and focus on a protagonist finding their way in the world. Naruto , Dragon Ball , One Piece , Fullmetal Alchemist , and My Hero Academia all iconic examples of shonen manga.
    • Shojo: Manga that cater to younger girls. Shojo stories are centered more on romance, but also focus on a young protagonist learning, growing, and discovering more about themselves. Some well-known (and well-loved) shojo manga series include Sailor Moon , Skip Beat! , Fruits Basket , and My Little Monster .
    • Seinen: Manga that cater to older guys. Seinen titles tend to tackle darker and more mature themes, and are meant for an adult audience. Some popular seinen series include stories like Berserk , Monster , Made in Abyss , and Tokyo Ghoul .
    • Josei: Manga that cater to older women. Like seinen manga, josei manga series are also meant for older, more mature audiences, and focus on romantic storylines with more adult themes. Usagi Drop , Petshop of Horrors , Chihayafuru , and Paradise Kiss are just a few well-known titles within this genre.
    • Kodomomuke: Manga that cater to little kids. Adorable and good-natured, kodomomuke manga series offer kid-friendly stories that people of all ages can enjoy. Pokémon , Doraemon , Astro Boy , and Digimon are all beloved examples of this manga demographic. [4]
    • Anime series are also categorized by these demographic groups. [5]
  4. While manga-like publications have existed for centuries, the fun and engaging fictional medium that many people know and love started to come into its own in 1947, when mangaka (manga artist) Tezuka Osamu began releasing his stories (like Astro Boy ). [6]
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

All About Anime

PDF download Download Article
  1. In Japan, the word anime is an umbrella term for any kind of animation, including animation from outside of Japan. In the rest of the world, the word anime is associated exclusively with Japanese animation.
    • Many anime series are adapted from a pre-existing manga series, but this isn’t always the case. Popular shows and movies like Violet Evergarden , Cowboy Bebop , Puella Magi Madoka Magica , Durarara!! , and Promare weren’t based on a pre-existing manga series. [7]
  2. Historically speaking, the first anime release dates back to 1917. [8] However, it wouldn’t be until later that century when anime would really evolve into the fun, fictional medium that it is today. The 1970s especially were a turning point where anime really developed its own identity, completely different from the world of western animation.
  3. Like any form of animation, the process of creating and producing an anime series involves a tremendous amount of work—the series needs to be written, the narrative needs to be storyboarded, and the characters need to be brought to life with voice acting talent. While technology has definitely streamlined the process, it still takes a lot of time and resources to create and develop an anime series. [9]
    • While creating a manga series also requires plenty of time and effort, the process isn’t nearly as demanding as creating an anime series.
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

Is anime or manga better?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Some people really love the intense detail and rich storytelling of a manga chapter, while others adore the vivid colors and beautiful animations of an anime episode. All preferences and opinions are completely valid—what matters most is that you’re having a good time and consuming content that you actively enjoy.
Section 5 of 5:

What is the difference between anime and cartoons?

PDF download Download Article
  1. At its core, anime is primarily a product of Japan (particularly in the 20th century). Cartoons, on the other hand, are associated more with western society, with historical roots stretching back to the turn of the 14th century. [10]
    • Back in 1499, the first “cartoon” came into existence in the form of an art reference.
  2. Most anime series have very detailed backgrounds and forms of scenery, while the average cartoon background isn’t super in-depth. [11] An anime’s general art style tends to be more detail-oriented as well, since it’s often specific to its manga source material. [12]
  3. Several popular western cartoons (like The Simpsons ) aren’t very plot-heavy. Anime series, on the other hand, often revolve around rich plotlines and character interactions, and feature especially dynamic characterization. [13]
    • Anime openings and cartoon openings are a great example of how these two mediums differ.
    4. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How would you make a good anime/manga?
    Community Answer
    See Draw Anime or Manga Faces and related articles.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make an Anime
      How to
      Find an Anime Name
      What is a Yandere? Everything You Need to Know
      What Does “Waifu” Mean?
      How to
      Make Your Own Anime or Manga Character
      How to
      Create an Anime Story
      How to
      Draw Anime Girl's Clothing
      How to
      Stream Free Anime: Site Suggestions & Safety Tips
      How to
      Write an Anime Script
      How to
      Do Goku Hair
      How to
      Write Character Profiles for Anime Characters
      How to
      Make Anime Movies
      All About the Himedere Archetype in Anime & Manga
      How to
      Make an Anime Music Video
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nypl.org/blog/2018/12/27/beginners-guide-manga
      2. ↑ https://www.carnegielibrary.org/an-introduction-to-manga/
      3. ↑ https://www.nypl.org/blog/2018/12/27/beginners-guide-manga
      4. ↑ https://www.nypl.org/blog/2018/12/27/beginners-guide-manga
      5. ↑ https://kotaku.com/how-to-identify-the-basic-types-of-anime-and-manga-1538285518
      6. ↑ https://www.carnegielibrary.org/an-introduction-to-manga/
      7. ↑ https://www.cbr.com/anime-original-no-manga/#durarara
      8. ↑ https://www.nfi.edu/what-is-anime/
      9. ↑ https://www.nfi.edu/what-is-anime/
      1. ↑ https://gamerant.com/anime-cartoon-animation-style-differences/
      2. ↑ https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/artnstuff/2014/04/19/the-difference-between-anime-and-cartoons/
      3. ↑ https://gamerant.com/anime-cartoon-animation-style-differences/
      4. ↑ https://gamerant.com/anime-cartoon-animation-style-differences/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 50,421 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Junior/Ndalwenhle M.

        Jul 3, 2023

        "This article helped me by showing me how anime movies are made to entertain people around the world."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement