It may be that you’re completely into manga, but you’re completely confused as to what the word actually means. Well, manga is the Japanese word for comics and print cartoons, and the word manga-ka, expands on the root word, and refers to the actual creators of manga. Outside of Japan however, manga generally refers specifically to Japanese comics.

And the popularity of manga is undeniable. As of 2006, the worldwide market for manga is reported to be around the $5 billion mark. manga developed from a mixture of ukiyo-e and foreign drawing styles, but it wasn’t until about World War II that manga took on a form that was more identifiable as that of today. Usually, manga is offered in a black and white format, except of course for the covers, and sometimes the first few pages are in color for the purposes of a strong impact, and artistic flair. However, in some animanga, which is a combination of anime and manga styled stories, all the pages are colored.

Manga is often confused with anime, even when not animated, but a quick explanation is that anime is generally a tv format cartoon, and manga is more of a comic book, and comes in the form of print. Over the years, they have each developed their own styles, and can be easily separated. Popular Manga offerings are often adapted into Anime, which is Japanese for animation, once a market interest has been established, and a story reaches a fair amount of popularity. Adapted stories are often modified to appeal, and reach to a wider, more mainstream market. Thus, this transformation from the comic book to the tv screen. Although not as common, original anime is sometimes adapted into manga such as Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop

The modern form of manga that most people identify with, only really came into being after the artistry of Dr. Osamu Tezuka, the reputed father or “God” of story-based manga, became popular. Also referred to by many as the “Japanese Walt Disney” Tezuka, who in 1945 was studying medicine, saw a war propaganda animation film called Momotarou Uminokaihei, which had a style much resembling Disney’s Fantasia. The film, was designed to inspire peace and hope to the Japanese, during the troubled times.

Tezuka himself, was greatly inspired by the film, though in the ways of animation, and later decided to become a comic artist. At the time, and even now, becoming a comic artist was a bit taboo, especially for someone training to be a qualified medical doctor. He later said that a part of the reason why he went to medical school, was to avoid being enlisted in the war, and that he actually didn’t like even seeing blood. Obviously, a bit of a problem when about to enter the medical profession.

Today, with a huge market in Japan, manga covers an ever-expansive range of subjects and themes, satisfying readers with all interests. Popular manga styles thrown into the mainstream frequently include sci-fi, action, fantasy and comedy. Notable manga series are even based on corporate businessman (the Shima Kousaku series), Chinese cuisine (Iron Wok Jan), criminal thrillers (Monster) and military politics (The Silent Service). So the wide appeal is obvious – anyone can be a manga hero.

If stories stick around a while, and start piling up in issues, dedicated book sized volumes or collections, called tankobon, often come along. These are the equivalent of American comic’s trade paperbacks. As almost a reward for the story’s long service, are usually made with higher quality paper. These anthologies can be useful for anyone wanting to catch up with a series, so they can follow it in the magazines, or be current when they’re talking about it with their friends, of even if they find it hard to spend money repeatedly per month to get the stories. Recently, deluxe versions have been added to the mix, as readers have gotten older and the need for something a little extra came along. Old manga have also undergone a bit of a reprint, or re-issue using somewhat lesser quality paper and sold for 100 yen (approximately one US Dollar) to compete with the economically smart used book market.

As you can see from all of this, manga is a different, more deluxe version of the American comic. What makes it deluxe is the depth that is gained through a deep history with its founding country, Japan.