The meteoric rise of anime has left its mark on modern culture, catapulting manga onto the mainstream faster than Deathscythe Hell about to take down a combat aircraft. 

But all the Gundam jokes aside, the manga universe is chock full of amazing stories for every taste. Whether you love intergalactic sci-fi storylines, Earth-based emotional plots, or something in between, there are plenty of great tales that will captivate you for days on end. 

Being new to the world of manga is an exciting feeling — but knowing where to start is not always simple. 

So, we’ve put together a no-nonsense guide to help you understand the different genres and explore your passion for manga online in the safest possible way. 

How to Consume Manga

Whether you’ve recently discovered it through anime or have been a long-time fan, manga is a fantastic style of comics. They can be relaxed and cover aspects of normal life, or be profound and rich in supernatural elements. 

With that said, there are many reasons why manga is special and unique beyond the awesome plotlines. 

Here are some tips to help ease you in. 

1. Paperbacks are Read Right to Left

There is no school like the old school when it comes to manga, so if you’re lucky enough to read paperbacks, remember that these Japanese comics are read from right to left. It takes a minute to get used to it, but it’s worth the learning curve. 

Here, it’s important to note that manhwa and manhua, the Korean and Chinese counterparts to manga, are read left to right like comic books written in English.

2. The Art is as Important as the Plot

The reading experience in manga goes beyond the written word. Instead, the authors spend most of their time on the graphic side, crafting imagery that depicts characters in different situations and tells a far more detailed story than the dialogue. 

In a way, the written words in manga serve as a guideline to support your interpretation of the graphic tale. This means that you should take your time to appreciate the artwork and deeply analyze the distinct elements within each page. 

3. Apps Can Lighten the Financial Burden

Remember how we mentioned that you would be lucky if you managed to reach only paperbacks? 

This is because physical manga books are expensive, with several volumes amounting to more than $50 in value. Over time, this can add up and become a legitimate financial burden. 

There are, however, apps that can help lighten the financial burden while giving you access to your favorite manga. This includes Shonen Jump, VIZ Manga, and Book Walker, all of which provide legal manga subscription services.  

4. Mangas Burn Slow

Mangas share some similarities with anime, but they are different vessels that have distinct styles. Generally speaking, the length of a manga comic book allows for deeper character exploration, a more detailed description of the environment, and even side plots that don’t make the anime version. 

Because of this, manga comics are regarded as slow burners that take time to build momentum. But, like any great book, you can’t get enough of them once you’re on the hook, making it impossible to walk away past a certain point. 

5. Beginner Manga Suggestions

As we mentioned earlier, manga comics cover all types of themes, but they tend to carry a message that is warming and heartfelt. 

Here are a few classics you should use as a starting point in the manga universe:

• A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi);
• Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso);
• Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi).

Popular Manga Genres and Tips to Stay Safe Online

The most popular manga genres are shonen, shojo, seinen, josei, and isekai. These invariably explore themes ranging from personal growth and mature relationships to fantasy worlds and supernatural occurrences. 

One thing that’s worth highlighting is that you need to maintain caution and follow internet safety best practices when researching manga and reading online. 

You may have to access websites in foreign languages or have difficulties discerning legitimate ads from suspicious content. Because of this, you should use a VPN (virtual private network), avoid websites that don’t have security certificates, and follow other internet safety best practices.  

Conclusion

In many cases, mangas are the predecessors to iconic anime series and movies that explore the confines of human imagination. The universe of manga is extensive, and it grows every single day — but the good news is that it’s never too late to get started.

We hope that the guide above helps you find the right genre early on, understand the elements that make manga unique, and stay safe while reading online.