How do you read a manga? Which direction is important?

If you are new to the field and do not yet know how to read manga correctly, this article is for you!

Discover the best tips with our practical guide to exploring how to read manga.

The uniqueness of manga: a one-of-a-kind read

Since the creation of the first manga, of the millions of readers around the world have been won over by reading these Japanese comics.

Often in black and white, characterized by stylized drawings and varied stories, covering various genres With genres such as action, romance, and fantasy, these comics are enjoying real success around the world.

Before diving into the fascinating world of manga, it is essential to understand the reading mode of this type of comic book.

Reading from right to left

The important point to remember: manga is read from right to left. distinct than that of Western comics and graphic novels.

👉 Indeed, a manga is read from right to left.

This comes from the Japanese tradition reading, which the majority of French publishers continue to respect.

There are still some exceptions, with a few manga published in the Western style, but they remain rare.

The importance of vertical order

Apart from reading from right to left, manga are also read from top to bottomAll pages should be read in this order.

So, you should start by reading the box at the top right, then finish with the one bottom left.

This principle is essential for maintaining suspense or emphasizing action and emotions in manga. Skipping a panel or not following this order can harm history.

Key steps to reading manga

Now is the time to get started on the reading your manga Here are a few tips to help you approach this experience with peace of mind:

1. Open the book upside down: Start with the last cover (which would be the first in a Western comic book) to enter the world of manga.
2. Read the boxes from right to left: It may seem confusing at first, but with a little practice, reading will become fluid and enjoyable.
3. Look closely at the illustrations: Mangaka (manga artists) use a variety of staging techniques such as close-ups, wide shots, low-angle shots, and high-angle shots to convey emotions and action. So take the time to savor each image.

Here is a example of manga To illustrate these steps:

Also note the pitfalls to avoid when reading a manga:

• Reversing speech bubbles : Be sure to follow the reading direction with the speech bubbles in order to follow the conversation between the characters.
• Complex assemblies : In some content, there are sometimes visual montages that are difficult for beginners to decipher, which can confuse some readers. The ideal approach is to take the time to read the manga carefully in order to know the order in which to read the different images.

Choosing the right manga to read

Now that you know the specifics of the reading manga, it's time to choose the one that will make your heart race. Here are our tips to help you do just that:

Explore different genres

Please note that there are several manga genres, ranging from stories aimed at children and teenagers (shōnen and shōjo) to more mature works for adults (seinen and josei). Feel free to browse and compare several titles before finding the one that suits you best.

Be nostalgic

Many animated series popular among adults today were originally manga in Japan in the 1980s and 1990s. If you liked a animated series In particular, there is a good chance that the original manga is just as exciting!

Ask for advice

Don't hesitate to ask for thebookseller's opinion or other readers to guide you toward works that match your tastes.

Numerous online forums are available to help you choose. Here are two of the most active platforms:

• forums.manga-en;
• forum.com.

You can also visit Reddit and ask for manga suggestions in the section dedicated to this purpose.

A few tips to help you go further

To get the most out of reading manga, here are a few tips. additional advice :

Diversify your reading

Explore various types of manga to enrich your reading experience and constantly discover new facets of Japanese comics.

Create a discussion circle

Exchange withother readers about manga based on your impressions and discoveries. This will deepen your understanding of the work and enrich your manga culture.

Learn Japanese

If you are passionate about Japanese culture and want to read manga in their original language, get started withlearning Japanese Reading manga in their original version will give you a whole new experience with these works.

Don't wait any longer to dive into the captivating world of mangas Thanks to our article, you now have everything you need to read and enjoy these comics from Japan.

So treat yourself and set off to explore this fascinating world that is opening up to you. If you have any questions, the comments area is open.