Know the difference between Manga, Manhwa and Manhua

When did it happen? I couldn't tell you exactly, but anime had already made a place for itself on Western television in the 1980s. Today, thanks to the advancements of the internet, we also enjoy the Manga, Manhwa and Manhua.

Manga, Manhwa and Manhua are part of the three major branches of comics culture worldwide. The other two are the American and the Franco-Belgian. Little by little, the Asian comic It has become more popular, but it has also created a lot of confusion.

Identifying each one is easy. The main difference they have Manga, Manhwa and Manhua is their place of origin. Being, respectively, from Japan, South Korea and China.

The manga

The term “manga” (マンガ) It is the one they use in Japan to refer to comics, its literal translation is "whimsical drawings" or "scribbles"This word was first used by Katsushika Hokusai, a Japanese painter and printmaker.

The pages of the manga They are read from right to left And this is respected in most translations. Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astroboy, is considered the father of modern manga.

Many mangas are later adapted for the screen, both in anime and live-action versions. Some of the best-known are One Piece, Naruto, Sailor Moon and Death Note.

The Manhwa

“Manhwa” (만화) It's the word they use in South Korea to refer to comics. This is why it became the term used only for South Korean comic strips.

Unlike the manga, Manhwas are read from left to rightThanks to the internet and the new openness of Korean culture, manhwa has positioned itself as a favorite of the new generation.

Manhwas also owe their growth to various websites dedicated to publishing stories digitally. These sites are known as webtoons

The Manhua

In China and Taiwan the word used to refer to comics is “Manhua” (漫画). This is also the term used for Chinese and Taiwanese comics.

The translation of manhua is “spontaneous sketch”, this is a term originating in the 18th century used for Chinese drawingss. Feng Zikai is a Chinese painter who is considered a pioneer of manhua for reintroducing the word into Chinese in the modern sense.

Manhua is usually characterized by the colorfulness of its pages. But within this comic there is a difference. When it is from Mainland China is read as in the West, while if they are from TAiwan and Hong Kong the tradition of doing so is respected from right to left and from bottom to top.

Whether it's manhwa, manhua, or manga, Asian comics have raised their flag all over the world, and it will be for a while. Personally, I'm very happy that they're becoming more well-known every day.

Because now we can find specialized stores. And not just with original volumes, but even with merch. I'm already on the hunt for some Sailor Moon figures.

Tell me in the comments, What are your favorite pages to read and which do you prefer: Manhwa, Manhua, or are you loyal only to manga?

Image: Unsplash