When it comes to manga, one of the most controversial questions that have been circulating amongst anime enthusiasts is whether it's written backward or not. The concept of reading from right to left initially appears alien and unintuitive to those who are not familiar with the Japanese culture. However, this way of writing and reading has been in practice in Japan for centuries, and Manga follows these traditions.
If you're an avid Manga reader, you already know that true Manga is read from right to left. The story progresses on each page precisely as it would in traditional western comics, but the panels flow from right to left instead of left to right. This pace may be difficult to get used to at first, but once you become familiar with it, you'll certainly fall in love with the immersive experience it offers.
Many people mistakenly believe that Manga is written backward. However, that isn't the case entirely. While from a Western perspective, Manga appears to be 'backwards,' the orientation makes perfect sense in the Japanese language. After all, they write from top to bottom, then left to right, which seems 'backwards' to native English speakers.
In conclusion, if you're new to the Manga world, it may take some time to adjust to the new style of reading. But once you do, you'll undoubtedly fall in love with the unique format and storytelling possibilities that Manga offers. So, don't give up on it just because it appears to be written backward. The truth is, it's a beautiful and authentic part of Japanese culture that offers countless entertainment and educational benefits.
"Is Manga Written Backwards?" ~ bbaz
The Truth About Manga: Is it Really Written Backwards?
Many people have a misconception about Manga, thinking that it is written backwards. This idea has created confusion for those who are new to this genre, as they do not know the proper way to read it. In this article, we will debunk this myth and explore the truth about Manga.
What is Manga?
Manga is a Japanese comic book style that has gained worldwide popularity in recent years. It contains stories about various topics such as romance, horror, science fiction, fantasy, and many more. Manga has been around since the late 19th century and has evolved over time in terms of style and themes.
Reading Direction
In Japan, books and comics are traditionally read from right to left. When it comes to Manga, it is no different. The pages are drawn and printed in reverse order, starting from the end to the beginning. The first page you see when opening a Manga book is actually the last page of the story. This may seem confusing at first, but it is easy to adapt to once you get used to it.
Table Comparison: Manga vs Western Comics
| Manga | Western Comics | |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing Style | Emphasis on facial expressions, emotions, and background details | Focus on action scenes and dramatic poses |
| Themes | Wide variety including romance, horror, fantasy, science fiction, and many more | Mainly focused on superheroes and crime |
| Reading Direction | Right to left | Left to right |
| Format | Serialized in magazines, then compiled into book form | Published as individual issues, then compiled into a trade paperback or hardcover |
| Demographic | Mainly targeted towards teenagers and young adults | Targeted towards all age groups, but mainly focused on adults |
Why is it Read Backwards?
In Japan, books were traditionally written vertically from right to left, and this format also applies to Manga. When Manga was first introduced in the early 20th century, it followed this format to maintain consistency with other types of Japanese literature. This is the main reason why Manga is read from right to left.
Making Sense of the Panels and Bubbles
Another aspect of Manga that may seem confusing to western readers is the layout of the panels and speech bubbles. The layout is designed to be read from right to left, but the bubbles are still read left to right. This can take some getting used to, but once you have the hang of it, it becomes second nature.
Opinion
Despite the misconceptions, there is a growing popularity for Manga worldwide. In fact, many western comics are starting to adopt the format and style of Manga. At the end of the day, it's all about personal preference. Whether you prefer to read from left to right or right to left, Manga offers diversity and a unique reading experience that cannot be found in Western comics.
Conclusion
So, is Manga really written backwards? The answer is no. It is simply written in the traditional Japanese format of right to left. Hopefully, this article has helped to clear up any confusion and provided some insight into the world of Manga.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article about the truth behind manga. We hope that we've been able to shed some light on certain misconceptions that people have about manga and its unique writing style.
Despite the popular belief that manga is written backwards, it's actually just the opposite of how we read Western books. This writing direction is an important aspect of Japanese culture and has been a part of manga since its inception. Understanding this writing direction can help you better appreciate manga and the depth of its storytelling.
We encourage you to explore manga and all of its wonderful stories and characters. Remember, there's a manga out there for everyone, regardless of your interests. Keep an open mind and enjoy the experience of reading one of Japan's greatest cultural exports.
People also ask about The Truth About Manga: Is it Really Written Backwards?
- What is manga?
- Why do people think manga is written backwards?
- Is manga really written backwards?
- How do you read manga?
- Manga is a style of Japanese comic books and graphic novels, typically aimed at adults as well as children.
- People think manga is written backwards because it is read from right to left instead of left to right like most Western books.
- Yes, manga is really written backwards in the sense that it is read from right to left. This is because Japanese is traditionally written vertically, top to bottom, right to left.
- To read manga, start at the back of the book and work your way forward. Begin by reading the panels on the right side of the page before moving to the left.