Manga Books
Manga is the commonly used term for Japanese comic books that are often turned into anime-style cartoons. Manga reached the height of its popularity in the 20th century when laws banning this art form were finally lifted. In Japan, Manga books are read by most of the population, and the writers are revered much the same way as great American authors are revered in the United States.
Manga comic books are read right page first, and then the left. The text and panels are meant to be read right to left as well. Many artists have fought long and hard to maintain this tradition when publishing Manga comic books in other countries, and to date the tradition remains.
The word “manga” basically means “comics” in Japanese. A single manga volume is around the size of a paperback novel and a single manga series can take many volumes to tell a story. While many manga series are for children and teens, many more are in fact geared towards a very adult audience.
Manga are typically printed in black-and-white, although some full-color manga exist. In Japan, manga are usually serialized in telephone book-size manga magazines, often containing many stories, each presented in a single episode to be continued in the next issue. If the series is successful, collected chapters may be republished in dedicated book-sized volumes, called tankobon. A manga artist (mangaka in Japanese) typically works with a few assistants in a small studio and is associated with a creative editor from a commercial publishing company. If a manga series is popular enough, it may be animated after or even during its run, although sometimes manga are drawn centering on previously existing live-action or animated films.
There are several distinct types of Manga comic books. The most popular types include Shonen (boys), Shojo (girls), Seinen (men’s), Josei (women’s), and Kodomo (children’s). Shonen is often filled with action and humor while Shojo is lighthearted and often features romantic plots. Seinen often features adult subject matter, violence, and sexual references. Some of the most popular Manga titles include “Battle Royale”, “‘Full Metal Alchemist”, and “Blade of the Immortal”. Classic Manga includes titles like “Dragon Ball”, “Ghost in the Shell”, “Akira”, and “Gunsmith Cats”.
Shoujo-ai manga centers generally around the romantic relationship between girls. It includes titles like “Maria-sama ga Miteru”, “Claudine”, “Kashimashi: Girl meets Girls”, “Maya’s Funeral Procession”.
Artbooks
The artbooks are called gengashu in Japanese, which means “original picture/illustration/art collection”. The art books in Japan are of extremely high quality with dust covers, or even hard cover compilations. They are to be treasured. Concept artists will also create new scenes and images just for the art books. Some will even feature little comics in them, making light of certain characters or situations. Art books are meant to be enjoyed and perused at your leisure. You could use it as a coffee table book if you’d like. Or you could just have it as a keepsake, to remind you of your love for a favorite anime or video-game.
Dojinshi
Dojinshi, meaning “niche journal,” doesn’t refer to any one style of publication, but to a way of publishing. Dojinshi manga are non-professional and/or self published comics, and d0jin refers to any self-published work. Dojinshi manga can be broken into two broad categories: fan-comics and original works. Fan-comics, much like fan-fiction, are based on established properties and created by fans of those properties. Original works are based on the dojinshi-ka’s (creator) original ideas. The only difference between mainstream manga and original dojinshi is that the dojinshi is not published by a publishing company; it is self-published by the dojinshi-ka.
Manga, Manwha, and Manhua
While manga are Japanese comics, “manwha” are Korean comics and “manhua” are Chinese comics. Although they each have subtle differences, they often get grouped together because of their strong similarities.