Manga or graphic novels may not seem like real reading to some people. However, it’s considered reading to other people. There’re stories on those pages, that only a Manga reader can understand.
People who aren’t familiar with the Manga market, have a preconceived notion that Manga only includes images with some words, which is completely untrue. The stories that Manga could tell will send a chill through your body.
The term “Manga” refers to the comics or graphic novels that originated in Japan. Manga is one of the largest industry of Japan’s publishing industries, in fact from the year 1995, the Manga business of Japan was valued at around ¥586.4 billion ($6–7 billion), while in 2020 it hit a new record of ¥612.6 billion primarily due to the rapid growth of digital Manga sales.
The manga market is a huge success in other countries as well. In 2020, the Manga industry in North America was priced at $250 million. In the earlier days, only the people of Japan got to enjoy Manga, however now you can too.
The numbers don’t lie, sir. Manga may be pictures to you, but they can be gateway books for people all over the world. Personally, reading feels like a chore to me, but ever since Manga was introduced into my life, I can’t stop reading.
There’re as many genres in Manga as any Anime or any industry has. There’s action, fantasy, history, drama, mystery, suspense, and many more.
You can find thousands of manga in every one of these genres, however, I would prefer action and mystery. There’s nothing more thrilling than some good action scenes.
If you want to know if Manga can do you any good, keep on reading to find out.
Does reading Manga improve reading?
In general, reading is supposed to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, especially in older adults. Whether it’s Manga or novels, reading is good for your brain.
Furthermore, as Manga doesn’t have those difficult words for which you have to open a dictionary, Manga can help you at least make reading your habit.
There’re thousands of Manga in one genre, however, I would recommend you go with the classic Manga, to lay the ground.
Manga may seem easy to understand, but for a non-reader, it may be difficult at first, so I suggest you go with One Piece as it’s clever, beautifully layered, hilarious, and inspirational.
Furthermore, if you’re looking for some masterpieces, Naruto, Bleach, and Demon Slayer may just fit the bill.
However, if you’re a kid, I don’t expect you to read bleach or Demon Slayer as these storylines may be too complicated for you.
Here’s the list of Manga for kids:
- Baby Bear’s Bakery.
- Tangled.
- Frozen 2: The Manga.
- Descendants.
- Fairy Idol Kanon.
- Big Hero 6.
- Dinosaur King.
- Mameshiba: On the Loose!
I strongly urge you to make your kids read manga, as these comics will help them learn things faster.
Does reading comics still count as reading?
Manga has always been recognized for its unique approach to storytelling and its significance in Japan’s literature. There’s one thing for sure, even if someone may not read novels, they certainly have Manga series.
Manga is read by almost every age, and while kids love how fun it seems, older people fall in love with the stories. While non-readers may debate, reading Manga or comics is considered reading, because you don’t spend hours looking at pictures.
Manga is created with proper stories, with every page you turn, you’ll find something incredible. Manga can tell you every detail of the story just the same as Anime.
There’s no competition between Manga and Anime, but people who start off with Manga will tell you how much manga means to them.
Moreover, if Manga couldn’t be read, people wouldn’t invest in them, you have to agree that there’s something alluring about Manga, considering the growth of the Manga market.
Check out this video to see the experience of someone who isn’t really a Manga reader:
What should come first: Reading Manga or watching Anime?
Manga is the comics that are created and published in Japan, you’re supposed to read the Manga. While Anime is the animation that is supposed to be streamed. Anime is referred to the animation work that is produced in Japan, most often anime is based on manga.
The Manga industry was introduced before Anime, while the first Manga was created in 1814, and the first Anime came out in 1917.
Nevertheless, both industries are thriving, because you can’t read without watching Anime and vice versa, as most of the Anime is based on Manga and often there’re scenes in the Manga that you won’t see in Anime and there may be scenes that don’t exist in the Manga.
Here’s the list that includes popular Anime based on Manga:
- Attack On Titan
- Gintama
- One Piece
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
- Devilman Crybaby
- Demon Slayer
- Mob Psycho 100
Here’s the list of popular Manga series that you’ll enjoy:
- Bungou Stray Dogs (22 Volumes)
- Inuyasha (56 Volumes)
- Noragami (25 Volumes)
- Case Closed (102 Volumes)
- Assassination Classroom (21 Volumes)
- Gantz (37 Volumes)
- Demon Slayer (23 Volumes)
- Yona Of The Dawn (39 Volumes)
- Hajime No Ippo (135 Volumes)
- My Hero Academia (35 Volumes)
- Death Note (12 Volumes)
- One-Punch Man (26 Volumes)
- Tokyo Ghoul (14 Volumes)
- Banana Fish (19 Volumes)
- Attack On Titan (34 Volumes)
- Great Teacher Onizuka (25 Volumes)
- Hell’s Paradise (23 Volumes)
- Goodnight Punpun (13 Volumes)
- Vagabond (37 Volumes)
- Mushishi (10 Volumes)
- Made In Abyss (11 Volumes)
- Monster (18 Volumes)
Now, these above-listed manga series aren’t even 1% of the manga, so I say you get started, you’ve got lots of reading material.
Does Manga count as Literary work?
Manga is more than a drawing, it is a form of Japanese literature, just as much as any novel or short story, and it is also just as entrenched in the context culture of Japan as any literary work.
While some people believe that Manga is a literary work, others find it offensive—however, these are the same people who find manga just a book of weird images with unreadable words. Contrary to what some people may believe, manga has become the most significant aspect of Japan’s identity.
Manga is a combination of visual and written stories similar to, however not exactly the same as, Western comics. In addition, the Manga industry has expanded immensely since it first came out in 1814, now you can find manga digitally as well.
Manga has been a huge aspect of Japan’s publishing industry, in fact as of 2021, according to some reports, the sales of Manga have doubled from the previous year. In 2021 Manga market in Japan was reported to be valued at around ¥612.6 billion.
Furthermore, mangakas believe that this increase in audience and in the Manga market was primarily due to the digital apps that let you buy manga online.
In my opinion, the Manga industry certainly should be praised as many manga artists have spent their lives providing and producing the most thrilling masterpieces for readers.
Here’s the list of Manga artists who made history with their masterpieces:
Manga Artists | Their Work |
Katsuhiro Otomo | Akira |
Naoki Urasawa | 20th Century Boys |
Hiroya Oku | Gantz |
Hiromu Arakawa | Fullmetal Alchemist |
Makoto Yukimura | Vinland Saga |
CLAMP | Cardcaptor Sakura |
Yusuke Murata | One Punch Man |
Junji Ito | Uzumaki |
Inio Asano | Oyasumi Punpun |
Naoko Takeuchi | Sailor Moon |
Kentaro Miura | Berserk |
Rumiko Takahashi | Ranma 1/2 |
Takehiko Inoue | Vagabond |
Conclusion
- Manga includes many aspects, creation of manga isn’t easy for you, it may not seem like reading material, but people of almost every age read and enjoys manga.
- The Manga industry is huge and quite successful, there’re thousands of manga in only one genre.
- For people who don’t read manga, it may be difficult for them to understand it at first, however with time, you’ll be able to even hear sounds.
- Whether you’re reading manga or any novel, reading can be good for your brain.
- Manga plays a significant role in the publishing market of Japan, in fact, manga has become Japan’s identity.
- There’s no denying that, the real manga are created in Japan, so get yourself some volumes of Naruto.
Other Articles
- What Is The Difference Between Anime And Manga?
- What Do Manga Artists Use To Draw Digitally?
- Is It Easier To Draw Manga Digitally?
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