what is manga

Manga is a Japanese form of art that uniquely tells a story using an artistic visual style. It is an umbrella term for a wide variety of comic books and graphic novels originally produced and published in Japan. Unlike American comic books, which are usually printed in full color, Japanese manga are almost always published in black and white. Manga stories are usually written in black and white, making it easier for readers to process the visual information. Japanese manga is read right-to-left rather than left-to-right, which is the norm for English language publications. Manga is a popular medium in Japan, and people of all ages and walks of life read manga. The medium includes works in a broad range of genres, including action, adventure, comedy, drama, historical, horror, mystery, romance, science fiction and fantasy, sports and games, and suspense, among others. Manga is typically released on a monthly or a weekly chapter-by-chapter basis through manga magazines such as Weekly Shōnen Jump.