manga

noun

man·​ga ˈmäŋ-gə How to pronounce manga (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Directed by Kei Oikawa and adapted from the popular manga by Nagano, the fantasy feature tracks the small protagonist and companions journeying to a scenic coastal island before uncovering a sinister local mystery. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 The final twist is a clever one, especially for fans of the original Death Note manga. — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026 The manga Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima is much easier to read thanks to the format’s smaller pages and black-and-white art. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 Additionally, the studio plans to release products like manga, collectibles and behind-the-scenes content years before a film hits theaters or streaming in an effort to reach fans. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manga

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, comic, cartoon, from man- involuntary, aimless + -ga picture

First Known Use

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manga was circa 1951

Rhymes for manga

See All Rhymes for manga

Browse Nearby Words

mang
manga
mangabeira
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Cite this Entry

“Manga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manga. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

manga

noun
man·​ga ˈmäŋ-gə How to pronounce manga (audio)
: a Japanese comic book or graphic novel

More from Merriam-Webster on manga

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about manga

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