What does "manga" mean?

1. (Japanese comic books) a comic book or graphic novel that was created in Japan. 2. (artistic style) the specific drawing style used in Japanese comics.

How do you use "manga"?

The plural can be either 'manga' or 'mangas', though 'manga' is more common in specialized circles. Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the style itself.

manga

US //ˈmæŋɡə// man·ga

1 Japanese comic books (n.)
A2 Elementary

a comic book or graphic novel that was created in Japan.

a Japanese graphic novel or comic book, typically characterized by specific artistic conventions and narrative structures.

Example

He spent his Saturday afternoon reading a new manga series he found at the library.

Example

The local bookstore has significantly expanded its section dedicated to translated manga to meet the growing demand from teenage readers.

Usage

The plural can be either 'manga' or 'mangas', though 'manga' is more common in specialized circles.
- comic
- graphic novel
2 artistic style (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the specific drawing style used in Japanese comics.

the distinct aesthetic and illustrative style associated with Japanese animation and comics.

Example

She practiced drawing her characters in a manga style with large eyes and expressive faces.

Example

The artist's work is heavily influenced by classic manga, though she incorporates elements of traditional European oil painting.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the style itself.
- art style
- aesthetic

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Japanese 漫画(まんが) (manga), from Middle Chinese 漫 (MC manH, “free, unrestrained”) + 畫 (MC hweaH|hweak, “drawing”). Compare Mandarin 漫畫／漫画 (mànhuà), Korean 만화 (漫畵／漫畫, manhwa). After an 1814 book by Katsushika Hokusai. Doublet of manhua and manhwa.

Etymology 2

From Spanish manga (“sleeve”). Doublet of manche.

Etymology 3

Short for mangalitsa.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026