漫画

Definition

Japanese comic books and graphic novels. Manga is a major cultural export of Japan and has a broad readership spanning all age groups and genres.

Example

Etymology

'漫画' (manga) consists of '漫' (man, meaning 'free, careless') and '画' (ga, meaning 'drawing'), referring to a whimsical form of drawing that would evolve into comic books. The term became popularized in the late Edo period.

How & Where It’s Used

'漫画' is predominantly an informal term, widely used in both spoken and written contexts, especially among younger generations. It refers to the genre of Japanese comics and includes regional variations in style.

Literary Heritage

Featured prominently in contemporary literature and drawn from famous manga artists like Osamu Tezuka.

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