Short Answer: there isn’t a specific word for people who love reading Manga. However, sometimes they’re called “otaku.”
Manga is widely considered by most to be one of the oldest yet still most popular forms of consuming entertainment in Japanese culture, However, now Manga has not only become a Japanese-exclusive sensation but a worldwide one.
Considering its recent development, it’s not surprising to not be in the know-how of Manga culture—so there might be many Manga-related questions that might be itching your curiosity.
Well, you’ve come to the right place, follow along as I explore the vast world of Manga.
What is the Manga style called?
This is a complex question that’s not limited to a single answer. Why you may ask—well, not every Manga follows the same art style.
In Anime, there’s only one umbrella art style (with many sub-categories), which is known as Manga (Japanese comic with a unique art style).
Manga illustrations are considered very visually appealing. It’s just a more appealing stylized representation of a human face.
This form of art didn’t look like this in the 1920s and 1930s. It changed in the 1960s and 1970s when Anime became extremely popular in western countries.
However, as Anime and Manga became more popular, the style began to solidify, and styles became self-referential to the point where you can sometimes only tell apart protagonists just by the hairstyle and clothes they wear, rather than how they are drawn.
Although it is not the rule, each Anime genre tends to follow a similar style.
It is also worth noting that each genre or demographic of Manga, has different preferences and art styles. For example, the average shonen Manga would look vastly different from let’s say a josei Manga.
Here’s a table to get you acquainted with the various Manga genre:
| Genre | Setting |
| Shōnen | The primary audience for shonen Manga is male teen readers. Themes in shonen Manga include genres like martial arts, mecha, science fiction, sports, horror, or mythological creatures. |
| Seinen | Seinen Manga is aimed to attract young adult men. Seinen Manga mostly focuses on action, politics, science fiction, fantasy, relationships, sports, or comedy. |
| Josei | Josei Manga, also known as ladies’ comics, the most popular themes of josei Mangas are typically drama, romance, or pornography. |
| Isekai | Isekai is a genre that’s an entirely fantasy based, where the main character is teleported to, reborn, or trapped in a fantasy or parallel unfamiliar universe. A few Isekai even have beings from other worlds visiting Earth. Isekai uses world-building to develop an unfamiliar and adventurous setting. |
Consider the distinction between Shoujo and Shounen, which are distinguished by distinct stylistic choices. This is one method of categorizing styles.
Most Anime, in my opinion, has very generic styles. Particularly in recent decades.
When I look at the characters in a very specific and unique art style like Mob Psycho, for example, I don’t think “Anime!” Instead, “I think of “Mob Psycho“.
This kind of distinction is what distinguishes styles.
You can also take the easier route and simply state the name of the Anime you’re referring to; this is the quickest way to convey your point across.” I like the clean and simple quirky style Mob Psycho has” for example, or “KonoSuba has a typical Isekai Anime style, but I enjoy the story and character interactions.”
The average shonen Manga usually has an art style similar to this:
Some Manga or Anime styles are:
- Kawaii: In this style, the characters are shown to be cute and have a kid-like appearance.
- Chibi: In this style, the characters have short stature and they have prominent facial features like a large head and large eyes.
- Realistic: In this style, the images are drawn with accuracy, and attention to detail is given so that reality can be depicted.
- Moe: In this style, the female characters have thin limbs and big heads so they look like a child.
What do you call Someone who loves Anime?
Some terms used to call someone who loves Anime are Weeaboo, Weebs, Otaku, and Anime fan.
There are numerous terminologies used to refer to someone who takes a liking to Anime and Manga, These terminologies are often offensive in many situations and are used as denigratory remarks, though the situation and person using such terms matter.
The politically correct term would be a simple and unobtrusive “Anime fan,” which won’t offend a single snowflake.
Some individuals use the expression weeaboo, implying that we are tryhards that are trying to act Japanese and trying to normalize “cultural appropriation.”
It’s simply another term for someone who has developed an interest in something “childish.”
Other popular terms include:
Weebs
Weebs is possibly the most commonly used phrase among non-Japanese Anime fans, regardless of their social status.
Weebs in stark contrast to Otakus are quite social and expressive about their interest, to the point that it gets annoying.
As you can probably tell, a weeb is more immersed in Anime and Manga, that they don’t care about society’s opinions of them, and who to say they’re wrong?
Anime fans may use the term “otaku,” which means “nerd” or “fan of something” in modern Japanese. It’s an old-fashioned form of “you” affiliated with some subculture. It’s not necessarily limited to Anime only.
An Otaku is perfectly content with not going outside or socializing with others. They are considered introverted and typical nerds (glasses, awkward, etc.)
Terms that Anime & Manga Fans should know
Anime is known for its use of perpetually repeating unique-sounding words, so much so that these Japanese words are associated more with Anime than with Japan itself.
Such terms include:
Kawaii
“Kawaii” means cute or loveable in English.
This phrase repeatedly appears in Anime. So, if a character sees a stray cat, you can expect them to squeal about how cute or “kawaii” it is.
Baka
Put simply, “baka” is Japanese for “idiot.”
If you plan on watching a shonen series, you will almost certainly hear this phrase from many of the female leads. It’s also used in a playful/flirty manner depending on the genre of Anime you’re watching, or in a rude manner.
Urusai
When you hear a word like this in Anime, you know a fight is about to start.
In Japanese, the word ‘Urusai’ means quiet, but not in a polite way.
You could probably think of it as a way to say “shut up” or “pipe down” in English, it’s usually used against enemies or annoying companions.
Senpai
Ah, we have all surely heard of the “notice me Senpai” meme. Though a few of us don’t know what Senpai means. Well, it’s not something that’s sexual, contrary to popular belief.
In Japan, the term Senpai refers to an older person, upperclassmen, and so on. Put simply, a Senpai is anyone older or more experienced than you.
Because the leads in many shojo Anime series fall for older men, the term is employed by girls when they desire to catch their crush’s attention.
Conclusion
- There isn’t a specific word for people who love reading Manga. However, sometimes they’re called “otaku‘.
- Manga illustrations are considered very visually appealing. It’s just a more appealing stylized representation of a human face.
- There are numerous terminologies used to refer to someone who takes a liking to Anime and Manga, These terminologies are often offensive in many situations and are used as denigratory remarks, though the situation and person using such terms matter.
- Anime fans may use the term “otaku,” which means “nerd” or “fan of something” in modern Japanese. It’s an old-fashioned form of “you” affiliated with some subculture. It’s not necessarily limited to Anime only.
- “Kawaii” means cute or loveable in English. So, if a character sees a stray cat, you can expect them to squeal about how cute or “kawaii” it is.
- In Japan, the term senpai refers to an older person, upperclassmen, and so on. Put simply, a senpai is anyone older or more experienced than you.