When was the first manga created?

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A manga is a Japanese comic book Most of which were created towards the end of the 19th century. It is part of Japanese history and civilization. Originally, manga had a particular reading style, being read from right to left, and were known for their black and white archetype.

In this article, let's find out what year the first Manga was created and by whom? How has manga evolved from its inception to the present day? Which countries are the biggest manga fans? Finally, what are the most recommended mangas today?

Image illustrating One pièce, dragon ball z and Naruto

Manga creation date

Commonly called “manga” in Japan, it is rather recognized under the name of “cartoon” in America, both comics, press cartoons, caricatures and even cartoons in France.

In 1814 is the year manga was born, thanks to the famous Japanese painter, illustrator, and engraver known to the general public asHokusai KatsushikaAround the 12th century, manga comics emerged, considered to be the oldest in the world. At the time, they were presented on painted scrolls that lasted 32 seconds of animation, developed under the direction of the Marubeni Shin Denryoku company, revisiting the Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga.

Manga history

Manga, in the form we know it today, first appeared in 1902. It was a humorous comic strip created by author Rakuten Kitazawa and published in the JijiShinpō newspaper. Kitazawa chose the theme of "The Hoist by His Own Petard" for his debut. It is also important to note that after Hokusai Katsushika, Rakuten Kitazawa was the first to use the term "manga."

In March 1990, the color version of Akira was released, an initiative taken by Jacques Glénat, CEO of the Grenoble-based publishing house. With translations that were much more powerful than the original, this manga revolution was a huge success and was released at the end of the year. Other manga versions appeared later, such as the type of manga shojo which came into being in 1902 with the creation of the Shōjo-kai.

Photo taken from one of the old manga comics—Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga

The top two manga-consuming countries and the best-selling mangas in the world

The France and, of course, the JapanThe most manga-loving countries were targeted, including One piece, Golgo, dragon ball Z, Doraemon, Detective conan, Naruto are the most popular and have enjoyed unparalleled success in both countries:

One Piece takes the lead. The latter needs no introduction to the biggest manga fans, as it dominates the global manga market. With over 500 million copies sold, One Piece tops the market and remains unbeatable.
In second place is Dragon Ball, inspired by a character from a late 16th-century Chinese novel.
Golgo and Doraemon follow suit, with sales of around 300 million.
Naruto ranks behind Doraemon and Dragon Ball, with nearly 250 million copies sold.

For more details on the history of manga, I invite you to read our article: