manga

noun

man·​ga ˈmäŋ-gə 

plural manga also mangas

: Japanese comic books and graphic novels 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

Directed by Sotozaki Haruo and produced by ufotable, the film adapts the climactic final arc of Gotouge Koyoharu’s blockbuster manga. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Nov. 2025

The clip gives fans an early glimpse at Coco, who first appeared in Kamome Shirahama’s manga series of the same name, which debuted back in 2016. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025

Were there major changes from the manga? —Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 16 Nov. 2025

Anime and manga All things anime and manga are popular at Motor City Comic Con. —Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for manga

• ganga
• pampanga

Kids Definition

manga

noun

man·​ga ˈmäŋ-gə 

: a Japanese comic book or graphic novel