Thousands to millions of people across the globe are getting hooked on manga. And you know what? They’re not the only ones who can enjoy it. In fact, these comic books from Japan have tons of benefits, not just for young people but for everyone who picks up the hobby. Manga reading can be a great way to pass the time and explore new styles, ideas, and genres. The more you read, the more you’ll discover different graphic novels and authors, and the more you’ll fall in love with the art form. Here are some tips for reading more manga and enjoying it more.
Jump Start Your Reading List
If you’re like many people who think they don’t like manga, you might be missing out on a lot of good content material this realm has to offer. Reading too few manga volumes can lead to a limited view of the art form. It’s easy to get bogged down in the “not for me” mentality when you’re new to a medium, but it’s important to keep an open mind.
Manga is a visual medium, so your first step is to find a manga that you love to look at. It’s not a question of “if” you’ll like it, but “when”. The most manga has a graphic novel version and a tankoubon version, with the latter being the complete vol. These are the volumes you want to read first.
Read Up On The History Of Manga
The history of manga is fascinating. It dates back hundreds of years when the earliest books in Japan were hand-painted scrolls. In the late 1500s, Japanese artists began creating woodblock prints. By the 1800s, these artists were creating Illustrated Novels — a precursor to the modern graphic novel.
The art form really took off in the 1940s and ’50s, when manga started to be published in large numbers. At this moment, many Japanese authors were forced out of their home islands due to World War II. They started publishing their work in Shanghai — a city well-known for its vibrant artistic culture. Many of these early stories are still hugely influential today.
Learn Some Basics
It’s critical that you understand the basics of how manga is created before you read it. Understanding the basics will help you to enjoy the art form more and to appreciate the work of the creators more.
Manga is a Japanese word meaning “comic”. It’s an umbrella term that encompasses huge genres of comics from across several nations.
Manga is created Arabic-style, with continuous pages that are broken up by panels. There are no text boxes or word balloons in a manga book. Everything you see is written from a character’s perspective and is meant to be read.
Manga panels are almost always two-dimensional and are often 动作的 (doujinka, “action”). There are some exceptions, especially in shoujo manga, but for the most part, manga panels are depicted as the characters see them.
Manga pages are not numbered, and there are rarely any chapter markers. This can lead to some confusion, but it’s actually a good thing. Panel progression is meant to be read from right to left, top to bottom.
Get Hooked On The Visual Style
As you read, you’ll start to notice some recurring visual elements in manga books. Like most visual art forms, manga utilizes a style that’s recognizable from page one. This style is meant to help the reader distinguish between characters and to establish the setting.
Manga characters are almost always drawn with a certain amount of “bigness”. They tend to be taller than life-size, with thick outlines, large eyes, and large, expressive bodies.
Manga scenes are often drawn in a “shaded-in” style. This helps to distinguish between light and dark areas, and between characters and their backgrounds.
Manga is also full of “kodama”, or “treasure”, trees. These are meant to evoke feelings of wonder and to help the reader visualize the setting.
Decide What Genres To Read
Just as you’ve already decided what music to listen to, you should choose what genres of manga you want to read. Genre is important when it comes to reading manga, as it determines your reading experience. If you want a “light” read, you might enjoy a comedy or slice-of-life series, for example.
A popular manga reading order is the “Shounen Jump” sequence. This is a set of popular manga, all of which follow the adventures of young boys. In order to decide which series to read first, try out different orders and see what you like.
Make Your Manga Reading Last
There are tons of benefits to reading manga, but the most important is that it has to be fun. Reading should be a relaxing activity, and the only way to make it enjoyable is to enjoy it.
Find a genre that clicks with you, and stick with it. Make reading a part of your routine, and look forward to it. When you have a book in your hands, take your time reading it. Give each page the attention it deserves, and don’t be afraid to take a break and come back to it later.
Visit Mangago
Since you’ve already created the list of manga series or a chapter you want to read, now is the perfect moment to visit Mangago. It’s actually a free site which also means it offers free manga for everyone. Moreover, aspiring authors may also submit their work on Mangago to get more audience and get attention from big publishing companies.
However, if you are only visiting Mangago to explore the millions of manga it has to offer, there’s no need to subscribe. In addition, you will not encounter disturbing ads on the site. Examples of genres you can find in Mangago are comedy, fantasy, romance, mystery, action, horror, and adventure.
So, never hesitate to visit Mangago right away!
Do Your Research
One of the great things about reading manga is that you can do your research before you start reading. Unlike many art forms, you know what you’re getting into before you start. This means you can focus more on the story and less on the language barrier.
Try Out Some Of These Great Manga Series
If you’re new to mangaowl, here are some great series to try out. Most of these are available in both graphic novel and tankoubon form.
One Piece – One of the most popular manga/anime series of all time, One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, an aspiring pirate who searches for the world’s greatest treasure known as “The One Piece”.
Naruto – Naruto is another hugely popular series set in a world where every village is protected by a “Kage” (a legendary ninja). The main character, Naruto Uzumaki, is a boy who searches for recognition and dreams to become the greatest ninja in the land.
Bleach – Bleach follows the adventures of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenage boy who is unable to become a “Fullbringer” thanks to a dangerous disease known as “Quincy”. To make ends meet, Ichigo works as a Soul Reaper, fighting against the “Hollow” creatures that threaten the world.
Bottom line
Reading manga is a great way to spend your free time. It’s a cheap and fun hobby that can bring entertainment and knowledge to your life. Just remember to have fun, and also don’t take yourself too seriously when reading.
