The love for manga has been growing over the past years. And it will continue to reach more people worldwide as both publishers and consumers embrace technology. But did you know that manga, which you can easily access from your smartphone, started as mere scrolls in ancient times?

In this post, we highlight the critical events in the history of manga and explore how it became a global phenomenon that continues to be loved by many.

Why is it called manga?

Manga comes from the Japanese word 漫画. The first kanji 漫 (man) means cartoon. The second kanji 画 means picture. When combined, it simply means comic. In Japan, all comics, regardless of origin, are called 漫画. But to us English speakers, it is generally accepted that manga is a term for comics or graphic novels from Japan.

The History of Manga

Origins

Modern manga originated from emakimono or picture scrolls (also called emaki), which began Japan’s Heian Era in the 11th century.

The manga back then is quite similar to modern manga in two ways. Firstly, both of them are themed. Typical genres in modern-day manga are the likes of action, romance, and slice of life (a genre that focuses on a “cut-out” series of events in a character’s life). Still, back then, these ancient picture scrolls had depictions of battles, folk tales, romance, religion, and the supernatural. The other is that both the modern and old manga is read from right to left.

Choju-giga (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals) and the Genji Monogatari Emaki were notable during this period.

Prior to World War II

Manga further solidified its presence in the Edo era. Hand-drawn caricatures were sold as commercial products in the 18th century. The establishment of entertainment-oriented illustration books began when woodblock printing reached Japanese shores. This technology gave birth to Kibyoshi (picture books with yellow back covers) and Ukiyo-e paintings.

Among the notable ukiyo-e works in the early 19th century are Hokusai Manga by Katsushika Hokusai and Manga Hyakujo by Aikawa Minwa. Although both works use the word manga, it isn’t equivalent to the current term. They were mere collections of illustrations rather than picture books with a narrative.

In Jiji Manga—a comic strip debuted in the early 20th century—“manga” bears the meaning we know today. 

After World War II

While under Allied occupation, the Americans brought animated films from Disney, comics, and cartoons, which inspired Japanese artists. Local cartoonists working for newspapers and magazines would draw in their style. Eventually, these authors were producing comics for weekly and monthly magazines. Each edition featured 10 to 20 titles.

Despite all the censorship laws, the publication of manga could not be halted by government policies. It was after World War II that roused a dramatic development in the manga industry.

At the helm of this artistic progress is Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka (also known as the Godfather of Manga) and The Wonderful World of Sazae-san by Machiko Hasegawa. Both series and authors contributed to the innovation of manga. Tezuka pioneered the motion picture-like, dynamic panels apparent in today’s manga. On the other hand, Hasegawa created a story focusing on daily life and women’s experiences. This innovation became the cornerstone of the shoujo manga demography.

How Manga Gained Popularity

It’s not just the distinctive look and attractive wide-eyed style that pulled readers into the world of manga. Whether you’re looking for action and adventure, romance, or something philosophical, there is a story for everyone.

Japanese publishers categorize titles by demographic, and among the popular ones are:

• Shounen (targeted at young boys),
• Shoujo (targeted at young girls),
• Seinen (targeted at older adolescent boys and adult men),
• Josei (targeted at older adolescent girls and adult women)

The intricate plots, profound lessons, and emotional connection to the characters keep readers mesmerized. And with the increase of titles being English-licensed, manga has truly gone global.

But the real hook is that manga is serialized, meaning it is published in installments on a manga magazine in Japan, usually on a weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly basis. Chapters published in magazines are compiled into volumes, which readers would then buy. Collectively, fans spend billions of dollars to complete the entire series.

Unfortunately, popularity has its pitfalls. Internet piracy has long pervaded media, and even the manga industry is no exception. Scanlations are the illegal side of the manga industry. The practice is a constant threat to artists who draw for a living because it bypasses property rights. Manga authors do not earn anything from scanlations, regardless of how popular their manga is on illegal sites or mobile apps.

Manga Today

Manga is no longer just books you can buy from your local bookstore or a specialty shop. As long as you have a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet, you can immediately access colossal libraries of legal manga from digital retailers like Amazon Comixology, Rakuten Kobo, Barnes and Noble Nook, and BookWalker. If you are on a budget, you can always opt for subscription services offered by VIZ, Crunchyroll, and MANGA Plus.

It’s even better if you can read Japanese. You can visit legal manga sites like ComicWalker, Comico, and Pixiv Comic, where you can read most chapters for free.

Sources: Wide Walls, Wikipedia (1, 2), Manga Wiki