We are often asked by Japan Craft what the differences between manga and anime are. Both are equally important in Japanese culture and entertainment. However, they are not the same thing. Manga is the Japanese term for comic books and graphic novels. Anime is Japanese animation.
Both are often considered genres in West but they simply describe how content is made. Both share many similarities. Osamu Tezuka is often referred to as the “godfather of Manga” and the “Japanese Walt Disney”.
Before you can decide manga and anime which one is best for you, it is important to fully understand each.
WHAT IS MANGA?
Manga is comic books, not animations. Manga is published in black and white, which is a departure from anime. Why? They are published weekly so printing them in color would be too costly.
Manga is usually inexpensive to publish and requires only a few artists to produce. It can be done in one person, the mangaka. This is the author, illustrator and other parts of the publishing process.
Read in detail about Mangaforfree
What is Anime?
All animation is referred to as anime in Japan, just like cartoons are in English. Only in Japan has anime been associated with animation.
It is disputed whether anime can be used to refer to animations not made in Japan. Although technically it can, anime is now synonymous with Japan, at least in English.
Anime uses a restricted style to depict movement and has distinct visual features for its characters. Most animations in the West are animated cartoons that tell stories to children, while anime has complex storylines and characters with mature themes.
MANGA MORE ORGINAL THEN ANIME
Manga is, according to some, more original than anime. This is similar to how books are to movies. Mangaka are known for writing original content, and many mangaka self-publish. Self-published works (or doujinshi) are extremely popular. Many anime are based on pre-existing stories, which is a departure from manga. It’s much cheaper to adapt a work than to create a new story. Also, adaptations are considered safer investments because the original work already has a following.
Manga publishing is much faster than anime. One issue of manga can be written and drawn in a matter of days. An anime series, on the other hand will require months of preparation and hard work to produce each episode.
Manga and Anime Keep the Difference in Mind
To simplify manga and anime: anime are TV movies or TV shows, while Manga are comic books or graphic novels.
Both media have a distinct visual style and many manga are used as the basis of anime. However, manga are rarely made into anime series and anime series are not based on manga.
Anime is so closely related with animation. This means that anime refers to animated films or shows.
MANGA VS ANIME: WHICH IS BEST?
It is impossible to know. It depends on who is telling the story. These two are often closely related as many manga have been made into anime. This includes Black Butler, Attack on Titan, and Dragon Ball, which led to the anime series Dragon Ball Z.
While neither are genres, Japanese comic books and animation are distinctive. Manga fans may love anime, while others will enjoy manga. Both will be loved by many. Both anime and manga are extremely popular in Japan, and all over the world.
