This popular form of graphic novel has captured the hearts of millions worldwide with its unique style and captivating stories.
If you’re new to manga or have always been curious about it, then fear not! We’ll share some tips on how to read it like a pro so that you can dive into this exciting world with ease.
Table of Contents
How to choose which manga to read
There are a lot of manga titles out there and it can be hard to decide which one to read.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a manga:
- Genre – What kind of story are you in the mood for? Romance, science fiction, action, comedy, etc.?
- Length – Some manga are short stories while others are ongoing series. How much time do you want to commit to reading a manga?
- Art style – Each mangaka has its unique art style. Browse through some titles and see which styles you like best.
- Recommendations – Ask your friends or look up online recommendations for good manga to read.
Is it easy to read the manga?
Manga is usually read from right to left, which can be confusing for some readers. However, original Japanese manga is published in a traditional left-to-right format.
Manga often has a lot of text, and the panels can be small, so it can be difficult to read the manga if you’re not used to it. Here is an instruction on how to read manga panels:

You may come across a website with a black background at the top that fades into white at the bottom. In the manga, dark backgrounds indicate flashbacks.
This technique is a visually interesting narrative method that’s very effective. When the color changes, it symbolizes a transition between the past and present.

Why is manga right to left?
Manga is traditionally read right to left in Japan, and most Japanese manga are read right to left. This is because the Japanese language is written from right to left, and manga was developed from traditional Japanese scrolls, which were also read from right to left.
Many Westerners are used to reading from left to right, so when they first encounter manga, it can be confusing.
However, once you understand the logic behind why manga is read from right to left, it’s not so difficult to get used to.
How to read manga without damaging the spine?
In Japan, people of all ages read the manga. It’s not just for kids or teenagers. However, because manga is printed on much smaller pages than traditional Western comics, they can be harder on your spine if you’re not used to reading them.
Here are some tips on how to read manga without damaging your spine:
- Use both hands to hold the book open. This will help distribute the weight evenly and prevent your wrists from getting tired.
- Don’t try to read too fast. Take your time and savor the story. There’s no rush.
- Don’t bend the book back too far. Just open it enough so you can comfortably read the text and look at the pictures.
- Take frequent breaks if you feel your neck or back start to hurt. Get up and walk around for a few minutes or do some gentle stretches before sitting down to read again.
- If you’re going to be reading a lot of manga, invest in a good-quality pillow that supports your neck and back while you’re hunched over reading. This will help reduce the strain on your spine and make reading manga more comfortable overall
What Is Digital Manga?
It is a type of comic book that is read on a computer or other digital device. It is usually in the form of an eBook or PDF file and can be downloaded from the internet or purchased from a digital store.
The popularity of manga has grown exponentially in recent years, thanks partly to the rise of digital reading platforms.
More and more people are reading manga on their smartphones, tablets, and eReaders. And with so many options available for how to read manga digitally, it’s easier than ever to get started!
If you’re new to digital manga, here are a few things you should know:
- There are two main ways to read manga digitally: online through a website or app, or offline through an eBook reader.
- Some popular websites and apps for reading manga include Crunchyroll, ComiXology, Manga Plus, and Viz Media’s Shonen Jump app.
- When reading offline, you’ll need to download your manga files onto your device before you can read them. This can be done by transferring files from your computer to your device (for example, via USB), or by downloading them directly
How to read manga online legally
There are a few different ways that you can read manga online legally. One way is to find websites that offer free manga chapters. These websites typically get their manga from scanlation groups who scan and translate manga into English so that people can read it for free online.
While there are plenty of reputable scanlation groups out there, there are also some that don’t have the best track record when it comes to quality or accuracy.
So if you’re looking for a specific chapter of a certain manga, it’s best to check out a few different websites before settling on one.
Another way to read manga online legally is to purchase digital volumes from official sources like Viz Media or Yen Press.
These companies release new chapters of popular manga series as soon as they’re available in Japan, and they often offer discounts on older volumes too.
You can usually read these digital manga chapters on your computer or mobile device, and some sites even offer offline reading options in case you want to save data while you’re on the go.
Finally, many public libraries now offer digital content through their OverDrive or Hoopla services. These platforms let you borrow digital books and comics for free with your library card, and they usually have a good selection of titles to choose from.
However, keep in mind that not all libraries carry manga, so you’ll need to check with yours ahead of time to see what’s available.
Shonen Jump

Shonen Jump is one of the most popular manga magazines in Japan. It’s known for its wide variety of genres, including action, adventure, comedy, and drama.
If you’re interested in reading manga, Shonen Jump is a great place to start.
Shonen Jump was first published in 1968 and has been going strong ever since. It’s published weekly, and each issue typically includes around 30 different manga stories. There’s something for everyone in Shonen Jump, from long-running series like One Piece and Naruto to newer hits like My Hero Academia.
One of the great things about Shonen Jump is that it’s easy to find online. You can read it digitally on your phone or tablet, or you can purchase physical issues from bookstores or Japanese import shops.
Book Walker

It’s a Japanese company that specializes in digital light novels. You can read manga on your computer or mobile device, and there’s even a book walker app for iOS and Android.
First, you need to create an account and log in. Then, you can browse the catalog and purchase titles that you’re interested in reading. Once you’ve bought a title, it’ll be added to your library and you can start reading it right away.
There are some great things about Book Walker, like the fact that you can buy manga in yen (¥) without having to use a credit card. And if you’re a member of their loyalty program, called Points Walker, you can earn points every time you make a purchase which can be used to get discounts on future purchases.
But there are also some drawbacks. For example, the selection of English-language manga is limited compared to what’s available on other sites like Crunchyroll Manga. And if you live outside of Japan, delivery times for physical books can be slow (several weeks).
Overall, though, Book Walker is a great option for reading digital manga. If you’re looking for something specific, though, it might be worth checking out some of the other options out there as well.
ComiXology

ComiXology is a digital comics platform that offers an extensive library of manga titles. Many popular manga series is available to read for free, and new chapters are released regularly.
ComiXology is a great way to discover new manga series, as well as keep up with your favorites. The platform makes it easy to find new releases and keep track of your reading progress. Plus, the ComiXology app syncs with your Amazon Kindle so you can read manga on the go.
Manga Plus

Manga Plus is a great choice for online manga searchers. With it, you can keep track of your progress by bookmarking pages. And, if you’re ever stuck on a certain page or panel, you can always hit the “hint” button for a helpful hint.
CrunchyRoll
CrunchyRoll is one of the most popular websites for manga online fans. It offers a wide variety of titles, both old and new, from a variety of publishers.
You can read manga online for free on CrunchyRoll, or you can sign up for a premium membership to get access to more titles and features. Premium members also get ad-free browsing and early access to new chapters of certain manga series as they’re released.
Manga Reading Tips
When you first start reading manga, it can be confusing because of the way the text and images are arranged on the page.
However, you’ll get used to it quickly and be able to enjoy these wonderful stories.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Start with popular titles. There are many different genres of manga, so finding one that interests you shouldn’t be difficult. Some popular titles include Naruto, Attack on Titan, and One Piece.
- Read online summaries or ask friends for recommendations before starting a new series. With so many different manga titles available, it can be helpful to get an idea of what a series is about before diving in headfirst.
- Don’t be afraid to jump around. Manga is typically released in serialized form, meaning that each chapter builds upon the last one chronologically. However, you don’t necessarily have to start at the beginning of a series to understand it. Start with whichever chapter sounds most interesting to you and go from there!
- Be patient when waiting for new chapters. Manga is typically released in Japan before being translated into other languages and made available internationally.
Reading Characters’ Emotions
It’s important to be able to read the emotions of the characters. This can be tricky, as sometimes the facial expressions can be quite subtle.
However, there are some key things to look for that will help you understand how the characters are feeling.
- One way to tell what a character feels is to look at their eyes. The shape and size of the eyes can give you a lot of information about how a character feels. For example, wide eyes often indicate surprise or fear, while narrowed eyes can show anger or suspicion.
- Another thing to look at is the mouth. A character who is smiling broadly is likely happy or amused, while a character with a tight-lipped smile may be hiding something. A frown or grimace usually indicates displeasure or anger.
- Body language is also important when trying to read a character’s emotions. Characters who are standing upright and looking straight ahead are usually confident and in control, while characters who are hunched over or averting their gaze may be feeling shy or guilty.
By paying attention to these cues, you should be able to get a good sense of how the characters in your manga are feeling.