Manga

Manga is the name for the Japanese version of comics. Of course, in Japan, the word manga really refers to any and all comics, but in the West, we understand manga to be Japanese comics. (Click here to read some manga online for free!)

Manga is very closely related to anime. Anime is basically moving manga. Anime is animated, as you might guess. Anime is for TV or movies, while manga is for books or any other place where the images could be drawn. In Japan, anime refers to any moving cartoon, but in the West, we understand anime to specifically refer to Japanese animation shows and films.

There are many unique characteristics in manga that do not occur in other comics. The most obvious characteristic is the size and shape of characters' eyes. Also, characters' emotions tend to be exaggerated in manga, possibly because of certain exaggerated facial features of the characters. (Click here to see a website about how to draw manga!)

Osamu Tezuka is considered to be the "father of modern-day manga." He was a 20th century artist who developed some of the most integral attributes of the manga artistic style. Many people refer to him as the "Walt Disney of manga." (Click here to see a timeline of Tezuka's life.)

Below is an example of some of Tezuka's artwork. He created the manga comic, Astroboy.

You can see other artwork by Tezuka at this website. There is also a museum in Japan dedicated to Tezuka's life and work. Below is a picture of this building.