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

Located in the Little Tokyo Mall beneath a parking garage, Entertainment Hobby Shop Jungle (also known as Anime Jungle) was originally founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1995 and specializes in selling anime figurines, mangas, and collectibles, as well as independent films made by Japanese directors. —Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 1 May 2025

Some of the shop’s specialties are manga, graphic novels, classic literature and poetry, including books by local poets. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025

Metropolis International: Pop-culture merchandise including manga, comics, anime, Funko and Pokémon. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2025

That comes through in the conversations (topics include a hit manga series and popular music). —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 May 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