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

Ghost in the Shell Year: 1995 Run Time: 83 minutes Director: Mamoru Oshii Mamoru Oshii’s adaptation of Masamune Shirow’s cyberpunk manga is a high point of ’90s animation, Japanese or otherwise. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025

Keishi Otomo’s film is based on a manga comic of the same name and set in the world of ballroom dancing. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024

The Summer Hikaru Died A close friendship turns Lovecraftian in The Summer Hikaru Died, adapted from the manga of the same name. —Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025

At the same time, the book's references to gaming culture like Pokemon and manga and being one of few Black kids in high-achieving programs reflected my son's experience. —A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez, Parents, 5 Dec. 2024

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