If there’s one thing from Japan that has become super popular all over the world, it’s anime. Anime has become a global genre of entertainment and has fans in hundreds of different countries.
However, despite anime’s popularity, it is often confused with another type of Japanese media – manga.
If you have heard these two terms thrown around but have no clue what they mean, then this is the guide for you.
Here, we are going to be talking about the differences between manga and anime. This way, you can stop mixing them up and avoid any embarrassing future conversations.
So, let’s start!
What Is Anime?
First, let’s start with an introduction to anime.
Anime is a very specific style of cartoon that originates from Japan. The word ‘anime’ itself comes from a Japanese colloquialism that abbreviates ‘animation’.
It looks very different from the cartoons produced in other countries. This art style particularly affects its human characters and their body proportions.
For example, anime characters have very large eyes to help express emotions. Anime characters can also have very wild hair designs, and have long bodies and thin limbs
Another thing that makes anime different from other cartoons is how dramatic it is. An anime’s voice actors usually give very expressive performances.
The show’s editing may have intense lighting, closeups, zooms, and all kinds of technical tricks. It focuses less on movement and more on effects.
These factors are what separates anime from other cartoons such as The Simpsons or DuckTales. These cartoons have no connection to Japan, are not animated in the correct style, nor are they edited to be dramatic.
A few examples of popular anime include Pokemon, Sailor Moon, Bleach, and Naruto. Compare their art style with the cartoons mentioned earlier, and you will clearly see the difference.
In popular culture, the term ‘anime’ usually refers to television shows animated in this specific style. However, anime is a genre that goes beyond TV.
Its art style features in movies such as the ones produced by Studio Ghibli like Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro (see also ‘15 Japanese Yokai That Have Cameos In Spirited Away‘). Anime is also enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
This means that some anime can be more mature themed and unsuitable for children.
Anime originated from Japan but today, it is now produced all over the world. Some people argue that an anime can only be an anime if it comes from Japan.
So, you may see some anime referred to as ‘anime inspired cartoons’ – this is because they were not created in Japan.
So, anime is a type of animated art style used to make tv shows and movies in Japan – but what about manga?
What Is Manga?
Manga is a term used to group comic books and graphic novels created in Japan.
In manga, the art style is the same style as anime. This means that manga characters have large expressive eyes, crazy hair and clothing.
This unique art style helps separate manga from other kinds of comics and graphic novels created in the US.
This is because US comics typically contain less expressive characters and a more realistic art style. Mangas are also printed mostly in black and white, while US comics are typically in color.
There are more differences between manga and US comics when it comes to publishing.
Manga (see also ‘25 Most Famous Manga Of All Time‘) have their pages printed from right to left. It is also published backwards (at least, backwards to us Americans). This can be strange at first but after some practice, reading manga becomes very easy.
Japan published their manga either monthly or weekly on a chapter by chapter basis in manga magazines. After a couple of chapters, they are bound together and published as a volume for ease of reading at home.
Some manga can continue running for years and years, spanning hundreds of chapters and volumes. They can inspire spin-offs, sequels, and prequels too.
So, the term manga refers to printed Japanese comic books and graphic novels drawn in the same art style as anime.
Manga Vs Anime
You have probably already begun to draw your own comparisons between anime and manga from the information above.
Here, we will still outline the differences between manga and anime so you can clearly understand how they are similar but not the same.
Both manga and anime use the same art style. Although art style can vary from artist to artist, the style remains constant.
Characters have large eyes, are expressive, and are more fantastical than realistic US comics. They both also originate from Japan, but this is where the similarities end.
Anime is a type of animation. This means that it moves on screens to make movies, tv shows, and videos – just like a cartoon.
On the other hand, manga remains still because it refers to the comics or graphic novels printed in Japan. You should read a manga to enjoy it, not watch it like an anime.
So, anime refers to animation and manga to comics and graphic novels – two different types of media. The difference between anime and manga is the same as the difference between a movie and a comic book!
Despite these differences, both anime and manga originate from Japan and share a similar art style. This is why so many people tend to mix them up!
Which Came First? The Manga Or The Anime?
Manga first came from Japan in the late 19th century and over the years, has become a major part of Japan’s publishing industry.
Both adults and children read manga, and covers a huge range of genres including adventure, comedy, romance, and more.
Anime began to emerge in the 1960s after the release of Astro Boy. Since then, the same art style is present in all kinds of movies and television series.
Anime found international success during the 1980s and 1990s with works like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball Z, and the Studio Ghibli movies gaining popularity elsewhere in the world.
Although manga came first, it shares a close relationship to anime. A lot of anime are adaptations of manga, while an anime may later have a manga spin-off to continue its story in a different medium.
However, it’s important to remember that not all animes have a manga, and not all manga have an anime adaption. You can still have an anime that is an original idea and manga that have never had an anime adaptation.
Final Thoughts
So, both anime and manga share a lot of similarities. Both originate from Japan and share an art style. However, they are two very different types of media.
Manga are comic books printed on paper and published for reading. Anime is a style of animation used in movies and TV shows.
Outside of Japan, a lot of people use these terms interchangeably to refer to Japanese media but they are incorrect. The terms anime and manga both refer to their own unique style of media in Japan.
To use them interchangeably is like calling a movie a book, or a book a movie – it just doesn’t make sense!
Now you know the difference between anime and manga. This means you can use both terms appropriately and avoid making any further mistakes!
