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

That comes through in the conversations (topics include a hit manga series and popular music). —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 May 2025

Based on Satoh Inoue’s popular manga series, the film features two competitive male dancers (played by Ryoma Takeuchi and Keita Machida) who work together to win a competition, but begin to have feelings for each other. —Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2025

Other than its thoughtful team dynamics, one of the most consistently engaging things about Haikyu!!, based on the excellent manga series by Haruichi Furudate, is its constant consideration of the long game. —Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025

Fans of the manga and anime series will know that the upcoming arc is set to see the crew enter the Grand Line, and will include the introduction of Tony Tony Chopper. —Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025

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