Editorial Staff
The common belief is that manga and anime are the same thing, with manga being defined as Japanese comics and anime being the animated version of those comics
Japan is known for its rich culture of “manga and anime.” Manga and anime have become a global phenomenon with fans in every continent. While these two forms of media have similarities in visual style and storytelling, they still provide unique experiences for fans worldwide. Manga and anime are often misunderstood as interchangeable terms, with manga being defined as Japanese comics and anime being the animated version of those comics. Although many popular anime are based on manga, anime in Japan is a term that encompasses any animated film, not just manga adaptations. Manga is the term for any printed cartoon, not just those from Japan. In the rest of the world, however, the terms anime and manga have come to be specifically associated with animated films and comics from Japan. If you’re interested in Japanese culture and want to understand the distinction between anime and manga or if you just want to boost your pride. This article will assist you in comprehending the distinctions between the two most culturally rich forms of entertainment in Japan.
What is manga?
The term manga, which translates to ‘wonderful pictures’, is used to describe Japanese comics. Manga has something for everyone, from action-packed adventures to heartwarming romance. The characteristics of Japanese manga are different from those of American comic books. One of the most notable differences is that while American comic books are often printed in full colour. Japanese manga is read from right to left, not the standard left-to-right used in English literature.
What is anime?
Anime is a term that encompasses all animation that is created and published in Japan. It is known for its distinctive visual style in character design. American animation tends to focus on children with simpler storylines, while anime tends to explore more mature themes and complex characters. Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon are two popular manga series that are often adapted into anime, but not all anime are based on manga. Anime can be a creative work, with its own distinct story and characters.
Differences between anime and manga
The medium of presentation is a major difference between anime and manga. Manga is primarily a print medium, while anime is primarily a visual medium. The addition of motion and sound in anime can enhance the viewer’s overall experience. Manga has its own strengths, including the ability to convey mood and emotion through still images, readers have the freedom to interpret the story at their own pace.
The way in which anime and manga are produced is another difference. The production of anime is usually done by a group of animators, directors, and voice actors, while manga is usually created by a single artist known as a mangaka. The production methods used often have a significant impact on the pacing, style, and tone of the two media. The focus of anime is on fast-paced action scenes, while manga tends to take a slower pace, allowing for more character development and introspection.
Manga and anime release styles have a significant difference. Manga is usually released in serialized chapters, with individual volumes combining them to form a complete story. This allows mangakas to build suspense and develop characters over a longer period of time. Anime is usually released in seasons or full-length movies, with each episode or movie covering a specific story arc. Animation is able to bring action and special effects to life in a way that print cannot, which allows for faster pacing and greater visual spectacle.
Manga is perceived by many fans as being more artistically original than anime because it focuses on original content. The majority of mangaka create their works independently, usually starting with self-publishing, resulting in a thriving market for self-published works. A significant portion of anime is derived from pre-existing stories, such as popular manga or light novels, due to the low cost and perceived increase in financial stability of adaptations, as they already have an established fanbase.
Fans can find unique experiences in both anime and manga. The choice of media to enjoy ultimately depends on personal preference. Japanese entertainment offers a variety of options, whether you prefer the fast-paced action of anime or the emotional depth of manga.
Best Manga of All Time
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures
Hiroaki Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure set a new standard for shonen manga when it first appeared in Shonen Jump in the late ’80s. Araki transformed the shonen formula with Stands, transforming it into a revolutionary power system from Phantom Blood to Stone Ocean, flamboyant character expressions and an evolving art style that reflects various eras of pop culture. Many fans consider it to be one of the best shonen manga of all time.
After the conclusion of Stone Ocean, Araki shifted the series to a seinen series and introduced Steel Ball Run and Jojolion. Steel Ball Run is regarded as the best segment of Jojo’s, due to its freshness despite taking place in the Wild West. The movie revisited the earlier elements of the original timeline by reuniting the Joestars with the Zeppelis, but it reinvented it with a brilliantly written antagonist named Funny Valentine.
Berserk
Guts, a mercenary in Kentaro Miura’s Berserk, demonstrates that life isn’t always better. Since becoming young and betrayed by his closest friend, Guts has become a gritty protagonist who has become the face of the seinen demographic. The dynamic between its characters is the main driver of Berserk, a brilliantly written dark fantasy that was published by Young Animal in 1989. The core of Berserk is revenge, which creates a compelling narrative that virtually eliminates the distinction between hero and villain. Many fans consider Berserk to be the best manga of all time due to its deep characters, astonishing artwork, brutal action, and horror elements.
Dragon Ball
The successful anime franchise’s first manga, Dragon Ball, sets the foundation for many more future stories. This manga follows Son Goku from his childhood until his young adult years. While training in martial arts and searching for the Dragon Balls, he ages in the series. The Dragon Ball franchise has grown significantly since its initial release. Fans agree that the original series is still the best one. Unlike its predecessors, it takes itself seriously when it comes to action, but it’s also packed with campy humor and emotional moments.
Fullmetal Alchemist
Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist is an acclaimed dark fantasy series that was published in Monthly Shonen Gangan. Fullmetal Alchemist stars Edward and Alphonse Elric on their quest for the Philosopher’s Stone. Their hope is that the magical stone will resurrect their deceased mother and restore Alphonse’s body to normal. however, the brothers are caught up in a deadly situation, sinister plot that will change the world as they know it forever, giving Ed and Al something new to fight for.
Fullmetal Alchemist’s captivating plot and immersive world-building have captivated generations of animanga enthusiasts. Hiromu’s ability to craft believable narratives in a fantastical setting is what makes the struggles or accomplishments of the Elric brothers resonate with readers even more. Fans will be exposed to complex themes such as genocide, the cost of change, forgiveness, and what it truly means to be human.
Vinland Saga
The seinen series Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura has been critically acclaimed and has set a new standard for the genre. In medieval Europe during the Viking era, this historical manga takes place. Like most seinen series, revenge plays a key role in the Vinland Saga.
Vinland Saga is not a manga that avid manga enthusiasts have read countless times. Thorfinn has a desire to kill the person who murdered his father. His goal is not to save Europe or the world. His goal is to make his father’s killer pay for what he stole. Vinland Saga is a story that revolves around characters. The series’ fluid battle choreography, filled with fine details and a keen composition, shouldn’t be distracted by anything.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen is a novel that keeps reinventing the shonen genre. Jujutsu Kaisen, one of the darkest members of the genre, is a brilliant mix of stereotypical shonen elements, grittier dark fantasy additions can help create a unique narrative that avoids formulaic storytelling. The story is constantly entertaining, with characters like the ultimate cool guy Satoru Gojo and the lovable Yuji Itadori leading the show.
Jujutsu Kaisen accompanies Yuji Itadori as he encounters a mishap with his school’s occult club, which results in him swallowing a cursed finger to protect everyone. He has no idea that the finger is the property of the most prolific cursed spirit in history, Sukuna. Yuji enlists at Jujutsu High to become a sorcerer, delay his execution, and keep the King of Curses under control while searching for the remaining fingers.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man wasn’t the first manga published by Tatsuki Fujimoto, but it became a worldwide sensation after it debuted in Shonen Jump in 2018. Despite the manga’s first part ending in 2020, the second part was recently released in September 2022. Chainsaw Man is about Denji, who lived in poverty and struggled to repay his father’s debt to the yakuza. Denji was betrayed and almost killed by the yakuza, leading to his canine devil companion Pochita merging with his heart.
Denji became a half-human, half-demon hybrid and went to work for the federal devil hunting commission. Denji is a unique protagonist who unlike his peers, does not dream of saving the world. Instead, his only goal in life is to score with a girl. Chainsaw Man is a shonen manga that is terrifying and filled with blood-infused battle scenes that are definitely not for the fainthearted.
Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
The series Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War is an amalgamation of romantic comedy, psychological warfare, and pure camp. Kaguya-Sama may feature wacky comedy in numerous chapters, it also includes poignant moments throughout to humanize the characters and add some weight to the story and its stakes.
Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane are the heads of the Shuichiin High School Council. They’re intelligent individuals who are in love with each other but would rather die than admit it, due to sheer pride and perhaps shyness. Much of Kaguya-Sama’s story revolves around their ever-increasing relationship, while secondary relationships flourish around it. Each of the friendships and romances in Kaguya-Sama will explore these characters in remarkable depth, showing all their flaws, insecurities, and dreams, making them even more compelling.
Gintama
Due to its anime adaptation being equally as good, if not better, than the source material, Gintama’s manga is often absent from discussions. Hideaki Sorachi’s talent deserves praise from fans. Gintama is set in feudal Japan, but it has a contemporary and slightly futuristic feel due to its pop culture references, slapstick humor, and extraterrestrial enemies.
Gintama follows Gintoki Sakata, a samurai who is left to make ends meet by picking up odd jobs after aliens took over the planet and banned swords. Gintoki continues to carry a wooden katana as a sign of defiance. Gintama is a show that features comedy and character, making it hard to dislike. Many readers leave feeling confused, but pleased they read it due to its humor.
Made In Abyss
After a sudden opening of a giant hole known as the Abyss, Made In Abyss by Akihito Tsukushi takes place in Orth. Nobody has ever made it out alive after venturing too far into the woods. Cave Raiders have made a career trying to explore the place and create a comprehensive map.
Riko, a young orphan, is the main character of Made In Abyss and she aspires to be just like her mother, who was a Cave Raider. Riko encounters Reg, a robotic boy who aids her in escaping from the orphanage and entering the Abyss. Made In Abyss is an entertaining adventure series with an enchanting art style, but there are also depressing and even disturbing moments that play with the reader’s emotions.
Demon Slayer
Shueisha has published a popular modern series called Demon Slayer, which was written by Koyoharu Gotouge. Nearly 30 million copies of the series were sold worldwide in 2021. Demon Slayer stands out from its peers due to its unique art style, lovable characters, and beautifully choreographed fight scenes.
After discovering that a demon has killed his entire family, except for his sister Nezuko, Tanjiro Kamado is tracked by Demon Slayer upon returning home. After encountering Nezuko, Tanjiro decides to join the Demon Slayer Corps to find a cure and avenge his family. On his journey, Tanjiro will realize the heart-wrenching truth: that demons were once human, and many still have a human heart hidden deep inside themselves. Tanjiro knows from his sister’s example that demons can be sympathetic beings, yet he must slay them for duty’s sake, which is a heavy emotional burden for him to bear.
