After succeeding in Japan’s corridors, the Japanese culture of anime and manga expanded to English-speaking territories. Anime and manga are now familiar to almost everyone who enjoys amusement, and their popularity has reached new heights.
But do you really know what is the difference between manga and anime? How manga and anime are two different things? And how these two terms are related? Read this article till the end, where I will explain these two terms Anime Vs. Manga with their evolution.
What Is The Difference Between Manga And Anime: A Quick View?
Before we go deep down on anime and manga evolution, let’s understand the basic difference between manga and anime or anime vs. manga. In very basic definition, manga is the written, comic books and graphical form of animation, while anime is the video format of animation.
Most of the popular anime is derived from manga series like Naruto, but some anime are completely original, like Neon Genesis Evangelion. Also, several anime series do not exactly follow the manga series, which is termed non-canon anime. Also, read our article on What does canon mean in anime?
What Is Manga?
To know the difference between manga and anime, it is a must to understand these two terms. Manga is a Japanese term for comic books or graphic novels. The majority of comics follow a late-nineteenth-century Japanese style. Manga is not merely a comic book in Japan but also a culture that the Japanese hold in high regard.
Osamu Tezuka, a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, and animator, is known as the father of Japanese manga. With the publication of New Treasure Island in 1947, Tezuka initiated what became recognized as the Japanese comic revolutionary.
Manga is considered equivalent to Disney in the US. The popularity of manga is easily justified by a new record of ¥612.6 billion in Japan alone in 2020. Also, Read Why is anime so popular?
What Is Anime?
When it comes to Japanese television programs, the term “anime” is more frequently used. Anime is a term used to characterize all animated creations, regardless of genre or etymology. It originated from a diminutive of the word animation.
Anime is frequently based on the Japanese manga, graphic magazines, or video games in complement to the original artwork. High contrast, brilliant colors, and literary fiction and mystical subject aspects describe it.
In simple terms, anime is visual or video format content broadcasted over televisions and DVD formats. If you’re familiar with cartoons, anime can be conceived of as non-Japanese entertainment analogous to cartoons. It doesn’t mean that cartoons and anime are exactly the same. To know the difference read our article on What is the difference between anime and cartoons?
What Is The Difference Between Manga And Anime: A Detailed View?
Till now, you understand the basic definitions of anime and manga, and how anime and manga are different. So, what is the difference between manga and anime?
If you enjoy reading, manga is for you, and there are a plethora of graphic novel series to choose from. If you prefer to watch, there are myriad anime series to choose from.
Manga is a form of Japanese novel in which the graphics are typically monochromatic or black and white and is drawn in a traditional Japanese technique. Manga illustrators often used paint using a palette and toner, and now they fully exploit pastels, web services, and other tools to add more diversity and textures to their work.
Anime is a type of visual that originally came from Japan and is famous because of its wild imagination and use of brilliant colors. This design of distinct appearance comes from conceptual aspects of mythology and fairytales blended with realism.
This highly thought-out and created animation is produced today across the globe, with a global audience. The majority of manga is never turned into an animated tv series. However, anime is based on a wide range of manga. In other words, anime might be the animated version of the manga, although not necessarily.
Why Read Manga? Benefits Of Manga
Because manga is a comprehensive textual format, there are several advantages to reading it. Manga novels are released weekly or monthly as a series or by publication, and contain a vast collection of textual content, so you never going to run out of it.
Also, modern manga series are not as traditional as they had been in the early 1900s. As an equivalent to comics, today’s creators employ high-tech software, vibrant colors, and dazzling covers. All of this attracts a lot of new generation kids, and their popularity is skyrocketing.
An additional advantage of manga is that you wouldn’t have to consume fillers that have nothing to do with the main plot. Fillers are often used in animation to provide a brief pause between episodes to allow for more manga original stories or to extend the season.
Top 13 Manga Series To Read (from reedsy)
- One Piece (1997).
- Naruto (1999).
- Vagabond (1998).
- Fullmetal Alchemist (2001).
- Inuyasha (1996).
- Detective Conan (1994).
- Death Note (2003).
- My Hero Academia (2014).
- One-Punch Man (2009).
- Attack on Titan (2009).
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2016).
- Fist of the North Star (1983).
- Kingdom (2019).
Why Watch Anime? Benefits Of Anime
Anime is a more prevalent term for animation, even though it is manga; as a result, the two names are occasionally confused. When watching anime, you don’t have to anticipate how the characters look since the producers already have done that for you.
Artists use their vocal abilities to bring a protagonist to reality in the anime translation as well. The biggest benefit of a soundtrack for anime is that it can be used to enhance the drama in an episode or a comic atmosphere. You can simply indulge yourselves in anime with fascinating personalities by viewing them on your tv screens.
Top 9 Anime Series To Watch (from IMDB)
- Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999).
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure. - Berserk (1997–1998).
TV-14 | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure. - Hunter x Hunter (2011–2014).
TV-14 | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure. - Usagi Drop (2011–2012).
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama. - Gyakkyô burai Kaiji (2007–2011).
TV-14 | 23 min | Animation, Action, Thriller. - Vinland Saga (2019– ).
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure. - Lupin the 3rd (1971–1972).
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure. - Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2002–2005).
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Crime. - One-Punch Man (2015–2019).
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Action, Comedy.
Closing Words
I hope you understand what is the difference between manga and anime. Technically, both are completely different from each other; Manga is written or manuscript format while anime is in video format that is broadcast over TV.
Despite the fact that there is a significant difference between manga and anime, the term anime is often used in both forms of entertainment. Anime and manga both have their own fanbase and benefits for consumers. When you read manga, you’re reading an original and holistic piece of artwork, whereas when you watch anime, you can quickly connect with the characters.