manga

noun man·ga \ ˈmäŋ-gə \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of manga

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

Recent Examples of manga from the Web

Based on Ôtomo’s own manga series, the film starts with a nuclear explosion that sets off World War III, and then fast-forwards 30 years into the future.

— jennifer m. wood, WIRED, "The 11 Best Comic Book Movies You Can Stream Right Now," 4 May 2018
Highlights at the library include family activities, free comic books, a cosplay contest with prizes, button making, creating your own manga and anime viewing.

— linda mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Hikers finish 26 mile Coast to Crest Trail," 4 May 2018
Battle Angel, the cyberpunk epic based on the popular manga series, has very few bankable stars.

— pamela mcclintock, The Hollywood Reporter, "Studio Drama, Big Risks and Cher: What Mattered at CinemaCon This Year," 27 Apr. 2018
Just like the manga character it was based on, the song has become widely known and loved, a modern classic that even those who haven't seen the movie are familiar with.

— billboard japan, Billboard, "Motohiro Hata's 'Himawari No Yakusoku' Sets Record for Most Weeks on Japan Hot 100," 26 Apr. 2018
The ball-playing robot — inspired by a manga character — squats, aims, and springs upward to release the ball, just like a flesh-and-blood player.

— amanda campanaro /, NBC News, "This basketball-playing robot is so good it could outshoot Stephen Curry," 20 Mar. 2018
But Miike, adapting a manga by Hiroaki Samura, has something else in store for Manji: a creepy old woman shows up and bestows upon him the gift of immortality, inserting magical bloodworms under his skin that will keep him alive forever.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "Film / Foreign / On Video You probably missed Blade of the Immortal when it played here, but now you can catch it on DVD and BluRay," 9 Mar. 2018
With an appearance inspired by technology, J-pop music, and manga, the Aygo, at the very least, looked interesting in an unexciting segment.

— tony markovich, Car and Driver, "Better X: Toyota Refreshes Its Aygo City Car," 23 Feb. 2018
With two dizzyingly well-stocked and ordered rooms of Korean graphic novels, comic books and manga, Western Comics is a specialty shop that rents books rather than selling them.

— agatha french, latimes.com, "The bookstores of Koreatown," 15 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'manga.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of manga

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1951

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Publishing Terms

annotate, dreadful, emend, expurgate, factoid, jump, lobster shift, redaction, referee

MANGA Defined for Kids

manga

noun man·ga \ ˈmäŋ-gə \

Definition of manga for Students

: a Japanese comic book or graphic novel

Learn More about manga

Nglish: Translation of manga for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about manga

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manga

Definition of manga

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Origin and Etymology of manga

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MANGA Defined for Kids

manga

Definition of manga for Students

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manga

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MANGA Defined for Kids

manga

Definition of manga for Students

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