Japanese comics are printed in magazines chapter by chapter, with one manga chapter per magazine. But several comics can be published in one magazine. That’s why it can take a long time to read. Popular comics are printed in a separate book. It is called a tancobon. At the end of the book, the author adds bonuses – character descriptions, first character sketches, answers to questions.
A manga with a lot of readers becomes the basis for an anime. But more often than not, the plot of the anime and character descriptions differ from the original. Because manga and anime use different techniques, some moments in the anime cannot be repeated.
The main genres of manga
- Kodomo is a manga for children under the age of 12. There is no rudeness and cruelty, cartoonish drawings, a simple and understandable storyline for most children. Examples of kodomo: “Maya Bee”, “Grendaiser”, “Speedy Rider”.
- Shonen manga for boys aged 12-18. A fast-paced storyline, fast-paced action, a lot of humor, male friendship, martial arts, beautiful girls, sports, competition – this is what distinguishes this genre from the others. Examples of shonen: “.hack/sign”, “Enma’s Hell Patrol! Let’s Give the Heat!”, “Arata: The Legend.”
- Shojo is a manga for girls ages 12-18. Romantic story, tender feelings for a beautiful young man, girls’ adventures, magic – the main themes of the plot of such anime. Examples of shoujo: “Sailor Moon”, “Oran High School Guest Club”.
- Seinen is a manga for men under the age of 25. Anime is based on: psychology, erotica, characters’ personalities and their development. Examples of Sainen: “Maison Ikkoku”, “Ghost in the Shell” , “Monster”, “Berserk”.
- Josei is a manga for women. It most often tells the story of a Japanese woman’s life, her memories of school, or her love story. Examples of josei: “The Perfect Husband and I, or How to Steal 55 Kisses”, “Cheese in a Mousetrap”.
Types of manga by setting
The setting is the environment in which the main characters of the manga are set.
- Cyberpunk. Distinctive features: the future, cyber technology, artificial intelligence, coalitions that have replaced the leadership of all countries. The grim style of drawing and the tense atmosphere sets this type apart from the rest.
- Steampunk.Distinctive features: science fiction, alternate reality – the emergence of technology and flying machines. The basis of the plot – the confrontation between new technologies and the established way of life.
- Fantasy. Distinctive features: magic, magic, fairy-tale characters, mythological stories. Many anime of the shonen genre are created from fantasy manga.
- Space opera. Distinctive features: the future, spacecraft, battles in space, black holes, aliens and unexplored civilizations.
- Apocalyptic. Distinguishing features: natural and technological cataclysms, end of the world, global catastrophe.
- Post-apocalyptic. Distinguishing features: end of the world, emergence of a new civilization, a sea of violence and cruelty.