manga

American  

[mahng-guh, mang-] / ˈmɑŋ gə, ˈmæŋ- /

noun

• mangas
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mangas
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of manga

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

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Compare meaning

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

• manga vs. anime

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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

See Examples For:

manga mangas

Many of the galleries are devoted to the type of work most often seen in “special exhibits” — children’s books, manga and the sci-fi/fantasy works of Frazetta.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

The discovery has significance beyond its memorable connection to manga.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

Having the event in November will allow people to go all-out, said his performance partner Krizel Guiral, or "Zhel", dressed as Youko Kurama, the red-headed fox demon from the same Japanese manga and anime classic.

From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026

In “Daemons of the Shadow Realm,” based on the manga by acclaimed “Fullmetal Alchemist” creator Hiromu Arakawa, Huru leads a simple life in the premodern Edo-style Higashi Village.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026

It became a habit for six whole months, the three of us sitting together during our free period, talking about anime and manga.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender

The same would later be true with automobiles, gadgetry and — for fans of “Demon Slayer,” “One Piece” and other mangas — cartoons, to name just those few.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 7, 2021

Japan discovered its first element, nihonium, No. 113, in 2004, and Chapman reports that Japanese children read mangas dramatizing the work of the country’s top nuclear physicist, Kosuke Morita.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 27, 2019

On their heads are sombreros of ample brim; wide trousers—cahoneras—flap loose around their ankles; while over their shoulders they carry cloaks, which, by the peculiar drape, are recognisable as Mexican mangas.

From The Flag of Distress A Story of the South Sea by Mayne Reid

The harpoons were well taken care of, for we fully expected to harpoon a few of the mangas.

From Lost in the Jungle Narrated for Young People by Paul B. (Paul Belloni) Du Chaillu

But these spurs in the piazza, these botas and calzoneros, these mangas and serapes, are not worn by Mexicans.

From The War Trail The Hunt of the Wild Horse by Mayne Reid

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