How To Read Manga: 5 Easy Steps

Young people around the United States and Canada have fallen in love with Japanese graphic novels, known as manga. This pop culture trend features different stories and characters that appeal to people of all ages, groups, and interests. If you are a new manga fan, you will see that these comic books look a little tricky since you could be used to the American comics style.

Hence, you must be wondering how to read them correctly, therefore, I have mentioned some of the best tips to help you out. This article will ensure you are correctly interpreting panel elements in Japanese manga.

What is Manga?

Manga is the English word the western world uses to generically describe Japanese comics.

It is an artistic way of storytelling, making it similar to graphic novels like The Walking Dead, while it is different from the traditional superhero comics.

It is crucial to note that Ameri-Manga also exists. This type of manga is by American writers but has a Japanese style. Usually, there are not many differences between these types of manga, but the background of the writers significantly influences the writing.

How do you read Manga?

It is difficult for Americans to pick up an original Japanese manga volume and read it correctly the first time. They often have trouble reading the panels correctly, so it is crucial to understand the reading flow beforehand.

Here are the steps you should follow to read Manga Correctly:

Step 1) Selecting Manga

Before you start to read manga, I suggest you pick from the plethora of manga titles available. As there are thousands of options available, so I’d recommend picking a genre that interests you. Once you have a genre, you can look at the most popular manga volumes in that category.

For example, people who love fantasy want to read the digital version of Dragon Ball. You can also check out manga like Ghost in the Shell if you like science fiction.

Step 2) Getting Started

Once you find a manga title of your choice, you can start reading it. However, if you choose a series, start with the first title to kick off the story from the beginning. Fortunately, you can find the issue number on the cover of most mangas, so you can tell which volume comes first.

Step 3) Right to Left reading

When you open a manga, you will realize that you cannot read it like a book written in the United States. Unlike graphic novels and books written in western culture, the spine of a manga should be on the right side.

To ensure you start on the right side, check the title, author, and edition on the front cover. You must read manga panels from right to left, unlike American books, which read left to right.

Fortunately, many mangas printed in the United States come with warnings on the left side to keep you from reading them backward.

Check this image:

Step 4) Reading Panels

Remember, manga are like graphic novels, so you will read panels instead of traditional text. There is a dialogue in most panels, but there are also images and horizontal writing.

Read the panels starting in the upper right-hand corner so that you go from right to left and from top to bottom. I always read the right page first, then the left, to understand the story’s sequence. If the panels are vertical, start with the topmost panel on the right page.

Dialogue bubbles, the text that relays character conversations, follow the same rules as the panels. So, I suggest you read the conversation between characters, starting with the rightmost bubble in each panel.

Moreover, it is also important to understand some stylistic tendencies that you may fail to catch. For example, if a panel has a black background, it is usually a flashback. While some artists do not follow this rule, it is a common tendency used by most manga writers.

Step 5) Reading Characters’ Emotions

Understanding how to read characters’ emotions is critical to appreciating manga. You will pick this up as you go, but there are some things you should know before starting.

Notably, a sigh bubble usually signifies relief or exasperation. While lines across the face indicate, a character is blushing or ecstatic about the situation.

You should not interpret everything in manga literally. For example, a nosebleed does not necessarily indicate bleeding from the nose, instead, it is usually a sign of lust. Similarly, sweat drops usually signify embarrassment.

What App Should You Use to Read Manga?

Here are some of the best manga apps you can use to read manga online legally and enjoy stories with your favorite characters.

1) Crunchyroll

I have reviewed Crunchyroll extensively and found it to be an ideal platform for manga enthusiasts. It allows you to access a wide array of manga content, although a premium subscription is necessary to unlock some exclusive titles. This platform is perfect for those looking to dive into a vast manga library.

Features:

• Extensive Library: Crunchyroll offers a vast collection of manga titles. I could access a wide variety of genres and high-demand new manga such as A Man and His Cat, Origin, Team Phoenix, etc.
• Simultaneous Releases: You get manga chapters as they are released in Japan. In my experience, Crunchyroll allowed me to pre-order numerous latest volumes of several mangas.
• Offline Reading: I downloaded manga for offline access, which ensured uninterrupted reading. It allowed me to enjoy my favorite titles without the internet.
• High-Quality Scans: The app provides high-resolution scans for an optimal reading experience.
• Personalized Recommendations: I received tailored manga suggestions based on my reading habits.
• Multi-Device Sync: You can sync your reading progress across multiple devices for seamless reading. 

Link: https://store.crunchyroll.com/collections/manga/

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2) ComiXology

I evaluated ComiXology and was impressed by the flexibility it offers. You can subscribe to explore the entire library or buy titles to keep forever. It’s particularly helpful for accessing content from major publishers like Marvel and DC.

Features:

• Library Access: You can access an extensive library with thousands of manga titles across genres and publishers. I could find titles like Goodnight Punpun, All You Need Is Kill, Tokyo Ghoul, Demon Slayer, etc.
• Smart Lists: It helped me create a personalized list for easy access and tracking of my favorite manga. You can also find your manga using its genre filters, such as action, horror, fantasy, apocalyptic, etc.
• Reading Modes: ComiXology allows you to read in multiple modes, including guided view, for an enhanced experience.
• Offline Reading: It allowed me to download manga to read offline, ensuring access without the internet.
• Sync Across Devices: This site helps sync reading progress across devices for seamless continuation.
• Exclusive Releases: You can access exclusive releases or get your hands early on a new manga.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/comics-store/home

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3) Viz Media

Throughout the review process of Viz Media, I discovered that you can read thousands of manga volumes online on this platform. With a subscription, you get access to rotating weekly comics. You can also purchase titles individually through the website or app.

Features:

• Manga Library: You can get a huge collection of manga titles across various genres and publishers. I could also find the latest mangas volumes of titles like Skip Beat, Mashle: Magic and Muscles, Akane-banashi, and many more.
• Simultaneous Releases: It helped me access the latest manga chapters as soon as they were released in Japan.
• Offline Reading: You can download manga to read offline, ensuring uninterrupted access anywhere.
• User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive design makes navigation and reading enjoyable and straightforward.
• Bookmarking: I could save my favorite series and pick where I left off.
• Personalized Recommendations: It suggests manga based on your reading habits and preferred genres.

Link: https://www.viz.com/read

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4) Book Walker

I checked the Book Walker app, which allows users to purchase several manga titles. I was able to discover that you must use the international Book Walker app and website to get the original copies. Make sure you use the international site to avoid translation issues.

Features:

• Accessibility: I benefitted from using Book Walker’s user-friendly interface and navigation. It helped me find my type of manga using its author, genre, publisher, and price search.
• Wide Selection: Bookwalker offers an extensive manga library, including popular titles and rare finds. I could find mangas like Stories After Dark, Delicious in Dungeon, So I’m a Spider, So What? and more.
• Customization: You get a personalized reading experience with adjustable settings.
• Offline Reading: I could access download options for reading manga without an internet connection.
• Simulpub Releases: You can access the latest chapters simultaneously with Japan’s release schedule.
• Cross-Platform Sync: It synchronizes reading progress across multiple devices seamlessly.
• Special Promotions: There are frequent discounts, sales, and exclusive content for loyal users.

Visit Book Walker

How can you read manga without breaking it?

As manga are mostly published in paperback format, they aren’t the most practical books to read in terms of preserving the original quality of the publication. The printed manga editions are stiff, and the spine breaks easily. In order to prevent your manga from bending, place it under a pile of other books, which will cause them to flatten.

How to read manga in English?

Unfortunately, most manga magazine is in Japanese, so they can be challenging to read. Google translate is one of the options, but it is not perfect. I recommend searching for an English copy or official online translation of your manga.

What are the different manga?

There are five different manga:

• Shonen is a manga with a young male target audience that typically includes a lot of action and friendship between characters.
• Shojo is for young and teen females, focusing more on coming-of-age themes, social interactions, and romance.
• Seinen is for men between 18 and 40, with more advanced and mature themes than a shonen manga.
• Josei is a manga for women that typically involves standalone stories revolving around romance and drama.
• Kodomo is a children’s manga that features fun characters with moral and educational storylines.

Verdict

Reading manga is an ideal way to expose American children to Asian culture. However, it’s crucial to understand how to read horizontal writing. Misreading it will have you reading the comic backward. With just a little practice, I became a pro at reading manga, and so can you!