manga

noun man·ga \ ˈmäŋ-gə \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 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

In Japan, some workwear garments, really beautifully made, some manga comics, some Stella Moon, and stupid things like keychains.

— mark holgate, Vogue, "Marine Serre Just Took Her First Trip to Asia. She Came Back With Pictures," 23 May 2018
The special edition of the Family Computer will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, which prints beloved serial manga titles like One Piece and Boruto, the sequel to Naruto.

— shannon liao, The Verge, "Nintendo is making a special edition Famicom Mini loaded with manga games," 14 May 2018
An adaptation of the iconic, kitschy 1960s Japanese anime and manga series about a heroic race-car driver was, bizarrely, a Hollywood hot property for more than a decade.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "The New Hollywood Speed Racer Didn't See Coming," 14 May 2018
Adapted from a popular manga and unspooling over a single day, the modest movie is gauzy and elliptical.

— alexis soloski, New York Times, "‘The Seagull’ Brings Chekhov’s Doleful Comedy to Cinemas," 4 May 2018
Anime invasion Anime Milwaukee, the three-day celebration of all things anime, manga, gaming, Asian pop culture and more, returns to the Wisconsin Center and Hyatt Regency Milwaukee Friday through Sunday.

— chris foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "What to do in Milwaukee this weekend: Anime Milwaukee, Home Improvement Show and dinosaurs," 15 Feb. 2018
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

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

Spanish Central: Translation of 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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