What is the difference?!? Between
manga and anime!🖤!
Anime is yet another 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.
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.
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.
Here are the basics you need to know before delving into the wide, fantastic world of Japanese graphic novels, a.k.a manga.
Primarily, there are
five demographics of manga:
1. Shojo:
Manga targeted at tween and teen girls.
Common Themes: Romance, Drama, Coming of Age.
The focus here is less on action and more on drama, emotion, and, almost always, idealized romance.
Like shonen manga, shojo manga usually feature the coming-of-age story of a young protagonist.
You can usually identify shojo covers by their use of pretty pinks, flowers, or other cutesy images.
This is not to say that shojo manga consists only of cute, fun stories. Their narratives vary as much as any other genre.
Manga targeted at tween and teen girls.
Common Themes: Romance, Drama, Coming of Age.
The focus here is less on action and more on drama, emotion, and, almost always, idealized romance.
Like shonen manga, shojo manga usually feature the coming-of-age story of a young protagonist.
You can usually identify shojo covers by their use of pretty pinks, flowers, or other cutesy images.
This is not to say that shojo manga consists only of cute, fun stories. Their narratives vary as much as any other genre.
Examples of shojo manga:
- Fruits Basket
- Cardcaptor Sakura
- Fushigi Yugi
- Skip Beat!
2. Shonen:
Manga targeted at tween and teen boys.
Common themes: Action, Adventure, Friendship, Coming of Age.
Shonen manga often feature lots of action and comedy, and some sort of coming-of-age camaraderie between characters.
Manga targeted at tween and teen boys.
Common themes: Action, Adventure, Friendship, Coming of Age.
Shonen manga often feature lots of action and comedy, and some sort of coming-of-age camaraderie between characters.
Examples of shonen manga:
- Fullmetal Alchemist
- Naruto
- The Promised Neverland
- My Hero Academia
3. Kodomomuke:
Manga targeted at young children.
These series will often be cutesy, moralistic, and fun.
Both the Pokemon manga and anime are probably the most well-known examples of a Kodomomuke series.
Manga targeted at young children.
These series will often be cutesy, moralistic, and fun.
Both the Pokemon manga and anime are probably the most well-known examples of a Kodomomuke series.
- chis sweet home
- fluffy fluffy cinamoroll
- Pokemon Adventures
4. Josei:
Manga targeted at adult women (18+). Common themes: Romance, Sex, Drama.
Josei manga often features more mature narratives exploring romantic and personal relationships, told in greater depth than their shojo counterparts—but this is not always true. For the most part, josei manga are similar to American adult romance novels in that they include sexually explicit scenes that can range from tame to borderline pornographic.
Unlike shojo manga, which almost always follows a female protagonist, josei manga often feature male and female protagonists. Female protagonists are almost always pursuing heterosexual relationships, while the male protagonists are, more often than not, involved in homoerotic or homosexual relationships—again, this is often, but not always, the case.
Also, unlike shonen, shojo, or seinen manga, josei manga cannot always be quickly identified solely from its cover.
Manga targeted at adult women (18+). Common themes: Romance, Sex, Drama.
Josei manga often features more mature narratives exploring romantic and personal relationships, told in greater depth than their shojo counterparts—but this is not always true. For the most part, josei manga are similar to American adult romance novels in that they include sexually explicit scenes that can range from tame to borderline pornographic.
Unlike shojo manga, which almost always follows a female protagonist, josei manga often feature male and female protagonists. Female protagonists are almost always pursuing heterosexual relationships, while the male protagonists are, more often than not, involved in homoerotic or homosexual relationships—again, this is often, but not always, the case.
Also, unlike shonen, shojo, or seinen manga, josei manga cannot always be quickly identified solely from its cover.
Examples of josei manga:
- Midnight Secretary
- Karneval
- Paradise Kiss 1
- Honey and Clover
5. Seinen:
Manga targeted at adult men (18+).
Common themes: Action, Violence, Sex, Adult themes.
Just like shonen manga, seinen manga features action and violence, but with a more serious or darker tone, as well as adult content such as sexual situations, graphic violence, or foul language.
If a series does not fit into any other category such as Shonen or Shojo, then it will be put under seinen.
Whereas shonen series often feature characters with an idealized, naive, or innocent view of the world, seinen series usually follow protagonists who must face a reality where the hero does not always save the day. Seinen covers are often dark and gritty, and feature male protagonists.
Manga targeted at adult men (18+).
Common themes: Action, Violence, Sex, Adult themes.
Just like shonen manga, seinen manga features action and violence, but with a more serious or darker tone, as well as adult content such as sexual situations, graphic violence, or foul language.
If a series does not fit into any other category such as Shonen or Shojo, then it will be put under seinen.
Whereas shonen series often feature characters with an idealized, naive, or innocent view of the world, seinen series usually follow protagonists who must face a reality where the hero does not always save the day. Seinen covers are often dark and gritty, and feature male protagonists.
Examples of seinen manga:
Blame Master Edition
Berserk
Vagabond
Monster
Blame Master Edition
Berserk
Vagabond
Monster
Conclusion:
The world of manga is vast and there are plenty of aspects we did not cover here.
This is meant as a beginner's guide to give readers a basic understanding.
Not every manga series will fit into the basic guidelines written here and that's fine!
Part of the joy of reading is discovering new genres, tropes, and narratives you've never encountered before.
The world of manga is vast and there are plenty of aspects we did not cover here.
This is meant as a beginner's guide to give readers a basic understanding.
Not every manga series will fit into the basic guidelines written here and that's fine!
Part of the joy of reading is discovering new genres, tropes, and narratives you've never encountered before.