manga

American  

[mahng-guh, mang‑] / ˈmɑŋ gə, ˈmæŋ‑ /

noun

1. a Japanese graphic novel, typically intended for adults, characterized by highly stylized art.

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manga British  

/ ˈmæŋɡə /

noun

1. 1. a type of Japanese comic book with an adult theme

   2. ( as modifier )

      manga videos

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Etymology

Origin of manga

1985–90; < Japanese: literally, cartoon, comic strip

Compare meaning

How does manga compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• manga vs. anime

Explanation

Manga is a Japanese style of comic books and graphic novels. Astro Boy and Dragon Ball are examples of popular manga. Manga is sold around the world and translated into dozens of languages, but it's mainly published in Japan, where it's popular with all ages of readers. In Japanese, manga literally translates to "involuntary pictures," but the word is used to describe both comics and cartooning. Western fans of manga recognize its distinctive style, with impressionistic backgrounds and big-eyed characters. Most manga is read from right to left, like Japanese writing.

Example Sentences

After the app launch, the web version of Crunchyroll Manga will be available starting Oct.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2025

“Mars once had liquid water on its surface in rivers, lakes and possibly oceans,” Manga said.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2024

"Without liquid water, you don't have life," said Prof Manga.

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2024

Volcanic stomp-rockets may happen at other volcanoes as well, although they’re likely rare says Michael Manga, a volcanologist at the University of California, Berkeley.

From Science Magazine • May 27, 2024

There's a stack of books on a table nearby, all titled Manga Pop Art by Tanya Fujisaki.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman