Types of Japanese manga; What genres are there?
As in film or literature, in the world of japanese manga there are many different themes for all tastes.
This type of graphic novel so popular in its country of origin and in more and more corners of the planet, does not stop innovating in terms of styles. The manga has become the most popular type of comic Worldwide.
Specifically in Japan, a country with millions of inhabitants, a large part of the young and adult population reads Japanese comics on a daily basis. Reading manga is a very enjoyable hobby It offers endless possibilities.
Know how many genres of Japanese manga are there? Do you know the name given to the different types of manga in their country of origin? Today we discover the most popular and famous genres, and some subgenres that are triumphing around the world.
Become a japanese manga expert and learn more about Japanese culture, to learn to appreciate for yourself this type of art that resists being overshadowed by new technologies.
In this article you will find ...
What is Japanese manga?
It is known as manga in Japan to all kinds of Comics or graphic novels presented on paper. Outside of Japan, this same word is used to refer to comics of Japanese origin, which have a very particular aesthetic compared to comics of other origin.
Together with the United States comics and Franco-Belgian comics that have acquired worldwide fame, Japanese manga completes the 3 most important pillars of this type of literature.
Another big difference between the Japanese publishing market and that of Western countries is that there is a greater variety of genres in manga adapted for all audiences. There are as many types of Japanese manga as there are population groups that consume them.
Many of the genres of manga have been used today to make different film adaptations or animated series, known as anime, and even written novels, video games, and all kinds of collectible merchandising.
Brief history of manga in Japan
The manga was born fortuitously around the year 1814 through drawings by Katsushika Hokusai. This artist represented graphic stories that told scenes from everyday life, in a very simple and entertaining way for readers.
The Japanese comic as we know it today appeared almost a century later, in 1902. Kitazawa Rakuten was the author of the first manga, giving the starting gun to the rest of the artists who launched monthly magazines with comics on different themes.
During World War II, the success of Japanese manga had a slight slump. It was not until 1947 that Tezuka Osamu relaunched the art of manga through a very novel design inspired by western style.
From the 50s and 60s It was the biggest boom in Japanese graphic novels. Every month different types of manga of many themes were launched, hooking audiences of all ages.
In the 70s became known in Europe through anime, to also become a sensation among young Westerners who nowadays follow all genres of manga.
What types of manga are there?
exist as many different types of manga as themed they may even present the stories they tell in their vignettes.
The different types of sleeves in Japan are given a specific name, so that divide your target audience to make it easier for readers to find new texts to love.
How many genres of manga are there? The truth is that we could not say an exact number, because the list is infinite of classes.
We'll see all types of manga and their meaning, through a small summary of the main themes on which they are based. Take note!
Demographic genres
A first classification that is made of Japanese manga is by the type of population to which they are directed.
Both the manga drawings and the content of the texts of these graphic novels can have a much more character child, adult, male or female, differentiating the following styles of sleeve.
Shonen
It is one of the most consumed types of manga and anime in Japan, aimed at a male teen public.
The recommended age for these comics is from 12 to 18 years old. It usually shows the evolution of its characters from childhood to maturity through a journey with multiple adventures.
Some of the best known shonen and with publishers that have launched the works in Spanish are Dragon Ball, Naruto or One Piece.
Shojo (Shoujo)
The young girls They also have their own style of manga, aimed at a female audience up to 18 years old.
The protagonist of these stories is a girl, who live different dramas during her adolescence until she became a woman.
There are many world-known shojo-style manga titles, such as Sailor Moon, CardCaptor Sakura or Candy Candy.
Kodomo
The first manga that a Japanese usually read is during their childhood. Of course there are also toddler sleeves, known as Kodomo.
For a public between 4 and 12 years, the characters are usually very young children or adorable little animals who live different challenges and adventures.
Do you know any kind of kodomo manga? Surely in your childhood you have seen series like Pokémon, Heidi or Doraemon that are based on comics of this theme.
Seinen
Directed to men of legal ageThis type of comics contains a lot of action and adventure, with a more violent content and even some erotic and explicit stories.
They are the most produced each week in Japan, and among them there are many popular sleeves that are being taken to film and television today.
You will recognize this type of manga in titles like Monster, Vagabond, Berserk or Gantz.
Josei (Redikomi)
The adult women They also have their own genres of manga, among which topics related to romance, drama, and also action and adventure situations are dealt with.
The protagonists are Warrior women who live somewhat more realistic and crude situations than in adolescent comics.
There are well-known josei-style comics such as Nana, Daytime Shooting Star or Nodame Cantabile. However, the quintessential female manga in Japan is Hapi Mari.
Manga subgenres
In addition to the target audience, there are other types of sleeves that are differentiated by the main themes they cover.
Sometimes the same manga series can change its theme, spanning various genres that change as the story progresses.
Although there are dozens of types of Japanese manga with countless different characteristics, in Japan there are some words that do not have translation into other languages to designate them. most common manga genres.
Yonkoma (4-koma)
Short-lived Japanese manga composed of only 4 vignettes, and 2 columns, in the style of comic strips published in newspapers and magazines.
The most popular examples of yonkoma sleeves with short stories are Azumanga Daioh, New Game! or Lucky ☆ Star.
Nekketsu
Type of manga in which the protagonist shows values such as friendship and self-improvement, through multiple scenes of action and violence.
As a general rule, the story is based on a fictional world and there is usually quite a bit of humor in the stories. Examples of nekketsu sleeves: Boku no Hero Academia, Bleach and Saint Seiya.
Spokon
Sleeve of sports theme, in which the characters overcome different adversities to reach the top.
Sports manga in Japan tell stories of friendship, teamwork, effort, and competition, among others. The most prominent spokons are Hajime No Ippo and Slam Dunk.
Jidaimono
Type of comic manga set in feudal Japan which is very similar to the first comic strips on paper.
Some prominent examples of manga series are Kozure Okami, Dororo and Shigurui.
Isekai
Graphic cartoon depicting the adventures of a character who is transported to another world.
It is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy with touches of science fiction. If you want to delve into this subgenre, we recommend Overlord and Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear.
Maho Shojo (Magical Girl)
Comics in which the protagonists are children who have some kind of special magical power.
In this fantasy manga, magical girls have an obligation to save the world or try to capture evil creatures. Manga examples: Majokko Megu-chan, Pretty Cure and Sailor Moon.
Kemono
Persons humans with animal features, or animals that have humanized characteristics.
This type of personages of the sort Kemono denominates Jujin. They are generally adorable animals. A prominent example of kemono manga is Tokyo Mew Mew.
Harem
Group of female characters in which there is some male co-lead between them.
Some very prominent examples of harem are Tenchi Muyō! Mahou Sensei Negima Y High School DxD.
Reverse harem
Opposite theme, in which there is a group of guys who are attracted to the same girl. In this case, the woman is surrounded by men.
The most famous examples of reverse harem are Cardcaptor Sakura and Uta no Prince-sama.
Romakome
Stories of romantic comedy focused mainly on a female audience.
Some of the best love comedy manga are Otomen, Toradora! Y Jitsu wa Watashi wa.
Wick
Comics that tell thes adventures of giant robots, which in some cases are manned by people.
It is not a very popular manga series subgenre, but some famous works are Bullet Armors, Break Blade and All you Need is Kill.
Cyberpunk
Comics by futuristic character in which the world is governed by technological advances that determine the social hierarchy.
With the launch of the video game Cyberpunk 2077 they are now more visible. Some essential works are Akira, Gantz and Biomega.
Meitantei
Sleeve of police or detective style in which the protagonists solve mysteries or crimes.
The best manga about detectives are the following: Detective Conan, Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro and Remote.
Gekiga
With a adult theme in which drama abounds, this type of Japanese manga comes from the Japanese word 'dramatic image'.
They tell real and mature stories with dramatic overtones. Some outstanding works are A life wandering, Nejishiki and Kamui.
Yuri (Shoujo-ai)
They are love-themed comics that tell the story between two girls that are developing feelings.
There are many interesting stories of very popular works What Akuma no Riddle, Fluttering Feelings and Sasameki Koto.
Yaoi (Shounen-ai)
On this occasion, they are comics with erotic and love stories that occur between two guys.
There is a wide variety of Yaoi manga, but some highlights are Finder, Totally Captivated and Tent Count.
Bishoujo
Also known as bishojo, it is a type of manga starring pretty girls, with a fetish content for adult men.
Girls usually go with him japanese school uniform. One of the most famous manga series is Sailor Moon, Eromanga-sensei and Re: Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu.
Gender Bender or Hideyoshi
One of the most current Japanese manga genres, which focuses on the transgender character story.
If you want to delve further into this style, there are some recommended works such as Uniquely You, Fighting for Love and Majitora! (Magical Trans).
Aniparo
Japanese manga where comedy and hilarious situations between the main characters.
They are focused on a cynical side of the otaku world. Examples of aniparo sleeves are Nekomajin, Gintama and Bobobo.
Ecchi
With an erotic touch, it is a humorous manga comic looking for entertainment and laughter.
In these sleeves there are many women who do not wear much clothes through provocative scenes. Some examples are: Boku no Rinne and Deathtopia.
Gore
Highly graphic violence, it is a type of horror story in which blood abounds and explicit scenes.
If you are a lover of japanese gore movies, you cannot miss these sleeves: Elfen Lied, Berserk and Claymore.
Terror
They generally have stories of japanese legends and about monstrous creatures from the world of Japanese folklore.
For the most daring in the world of horror, we recommend Dragon Head, Uzumaki and I am a Hero. Of the latter, there is a highly recommended horror movie.
Drama
It is a genre that appears in many literary works. They deal with strong topics with many emotions and feelings that can overwhelm readers.
If you hallucinate with japanese drama movies what's up, you can't miss Real Account, Strobe Edge and Koukou Debut.
Suspense
In this kind of manga you will find mysterious stories with many riddles, where you will create hundreds of hypotheses as you continue reading.
Some of the best suspense sleeves are Barajou no Kiss, Doubt and Are You Alice?.
Hentai
It is a kind of erotic manga of perverted character Only for adults. Some works of the genre are Giri Giri Sisters and Take On Me.
Within this subgenre there are several categories: tentacles, yaoi, yuri, bara, futanari, ero-guro, lolicon and shotacon, among others.
In addition to these subgenres of Japanese manga there are others that deal with themes of mystery, romance, teenage stories and schoolchildren, supernatural characters, and even historical graphic novels, for the entertainment of all types of audiences.
Other curiosities about Japanese manga
Whether you are a regular consumer of Japanese manga, or just you are interested in japanese culture, through our blog Alternative Japan You will find much more information about Japanese manga.
Do not miss these other publications To delve a little deeper into the history of Japanese comics:
There are so many possibilities offered by Japanese manga that you will surely find a theme that suits your tastes and preferences.
For beginners in japanese manga it is advisable to start with the classics. But little by little you can immerse yourself in the great adventure of Japanese comic until you reach unsuspected limits. You dare?
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