About MANGA

History

Japanese manga got its start in 1959 when two magazines, “Weekly Shonen Sunday” and “Weekly Shonen Magazine,” were launched the same day. They were a big hit and provided initial fuel for the manga boom.

In Japan, the word “manga” simply means “comic.” But to the world, “manga” has come to be equated with the particular artistic style of comic creation originating in Japan, and has gained tremendous popularity around the globe.

The Market

Over the past 50 years, the comic industry in Japan has increased to become the country’s largest print market, representing one third of all printed material sold in Japan. Over 120 million copies of approximately 70,000 different manga serials are purchased each month in Japan.

The Japanese manga comic style is now a significant part of 21st century pop culture. There’s no question that what started in Japan has now become a worldwide phenomenon.