Definition of MANGA (original) (raw)

: Japanese comic books and [graphic novels](/dictionary/graphic novel) considered collectively as a genre

The characters' faces beam the big-eyed, manically jolly winsomeness that in anime and manga signals contentment.—Peter Schjeldahl

also : an individual comic book or graphic novel of the manga genre

This black-and-white manga is based on the Japanese animated TV series of the same name … —Library Journal

Examples of manga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Based on a popular manga series that currently owns four parts, Blue Giant tells the tale of Day after attending a live performance. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024 Some social media users praised her effortless confidence while others compared her to James Bond and character Satoru Gojo, a sorcerer in popular manga Jujutsu Kaisen. —Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 31 July 2024 In a partnership with Shogakukan Asia, the Southeast Asian subsidiary of the Japan’s Pokémon book series publisher Shogakukan, Through the Lens Entertainment recently launched Hoshi Studios as a manga development and publishing startup with outposts in Singapore and Japan. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 31 July 2024 Despite fans’ fears, this spectacularly captures the charm, optimism, and glorious weirdness of Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga, manifesting a fantasy world where people brandish outlandish powers and hunt for a legendary treasure in an Age of Piracy almost verbatim from the page. —Matt Kamen, WIRED, 22 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for manga

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'manga.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, comic, cartoon, from man- involuntary, aimless + -ga picture

First Known Use

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of manga was circa 1951

Dictionary Entries Near manga

Cite this Entry

“Manga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manga. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

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Last Updated: 12 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged