If your son has brought home a book with big eyed characters, and he seems to be reading backwards, chances are, he's discovered Manga. The Dent library has a Manga collection that would be the envy of many schools, with over 100 unique titles. It Is easily the most visited section in the library, over half of the top 100 titles borrowed this year are Manga! But what is Manga?

Manga is an umbrella term for a variety of print comics and graphic novels originating from Japan. Unlike western comics, Manga is read from left to right; even when translated to English, to maintain the original art and flow; It feels weird to read this way when you first start, but we are very adaptable, and before long you will hardly notice.

Most Manga series are long running, which is definitely something to keep in mind, and, as the stories are serialised, you need to read them in the correct order. It may be easier to start with a short series like A Silent Voice or Death Note which are complete in under 12 volumes; as opposed to some of the longer running Manga, which can clock in at 50 or up to 1000 in some very long running cases.

Are Manga and Anime the same?

Simply put, Anime is animation, Manga is print. If a Manga becomes popular enough they may make an Anime and vice versa.

Where to start?

There is a ‘lot’ of Manga out there; so how do you choose one that is appropriate for you? Manga is generally arranged by audience, then genre; and there are five main audience groups.

Shonen: Tween and teen boys; Shojo: Tween and teen girls; Seinen: 18+ men; Josei: 18+ women; Kodomouke: young children

While these may be a target audience, it does not preclude readers from looking beyond their typical audience grouping. Likewise, not every Manga neatly fits within one of these categories.

The majority of well known Manga tend to come from the Shonen, Shojo and Kodomomuke categories.

Popular Manga

One Piece

As a child, Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming King of the Pirates. But his life changed when he accidentally gained the power to stretch like rubber…at the cost of never being able to swim again! Years, later, Luffy sets off in search of the “One Piece”, said to be the greatest treasure in the world...

My Hero Academia

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called "Quirks" at age four? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless? Middle school student, Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn't got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny.

Naruto

"In another world, ninja are the ultimate power--and in the village of Konohagakure live the stealthiest ninja in the world. But 12 years ago Konohagakure was attached by a fearsome threat--a nine-tailed fox demon which claimed the life of the Hokage, the village champion. Today, peace has returned, and a troublemaking orphan named Uzumaki Naruto is struggling to graduate from the ninja Academy. His goal: to become the next Hokage. But unknown to Naruto and his classmates, within him is a terrifying force..."

Demon Slayer

In Taisho-era Japan, kindhearted Tanjiro Kamado makes a living selling charcoal. But his peaceful life is shattered when a demon slaughters his entire family. His little sister, Nezuko is the only survivor, but she has been transformed into a demon herself! Tanjiro sets out on a dangerous journey to find a way to return his sister to normal and destroy the demon who ruined his life.

A brief warning about appropriateness

Given that Manga is in comic form, and can be written with adults in mind, it is important to judge the appropriateness of the book before reading. Many Manga feature Fan Service, which essentially is putting the characters into revealing outfits or pseudo sexual situations; often played for laughs.

It is important then, if you are unsure, to read the book yourself, or see the guidance of an expert like the local librarian, some titles may also carry an age-rating on the back cover.

In Conclusion

The world of Manga is huge; more than I could ever hope to cover in this brief guide. This is very much the basics, and not every Manga will fit into the criteria above; but discovering new genres, tropes and styles is part of the fun. I hope this may encourage discussion around what your sons are reading or possibly encourage trying something new. Remember, if in doubt, do some research or ask an expert; if you enjoy them, there's a vast new world of books waiting for you.


Latest Blog

Boarding
/
Tuesday, 14 Mar 2023

I Have Returned to Where it Began and I Feel Right at Home

I have returned to where it all began, and I feel right at home. My parents decided when I was very young that I would attend Toowoomba Grammar School as a boarder. Coming from a property surrounded by a small community, my parents believed that sending me to TGS would provide me with many fundamental skills needed for a young man, as well as an education that I could not get in my hometown.. Starting my journey at TGS in Year 8 as a boarder in Mackintosh, adjusting from a small country high…

Read More
Old Boys
/
Thursday, 09 Mar 2023

Tuning in to TGS Old Boy (1995-99) - Stuart St Vincent Welch

Our Old Boys have such diverse career paths; we are so proud of the good young men they become and how they make meaningful contributions to their communities. Stuart St Vincent Welch describes himself as an average student who had no idea what he wanted to do after school. But drawing on the TGS values of hard work, respect and resilience he is now working as a Sound Engineer for Barking Owl in New York City, rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most renowned musicians and actors. He…

Read More
Community Engagement
/
Tuesday, 28 Feb 2023

The TGS Show Cattle Team - On the moooove

The TGS Show Cattle Team commenced in Term 1 2021 under the guidance of Mr Jack Murphy and Mrs Julie Brophy. The concept of the team was to give boys a hands-on, extracurricular opportunity in the agricultural industry. The boys have been competing in the Young Judges’ competitions at a range of shows across Queensland. The Young Judges’ competition is based on the goal of expanding the boys' knowledge of the skills that are a foundation of the animal production industry, helping them as…

Read More
Character & Wellbeing
/
Thursday, 23 Feb 2023

The Importance of Routines

Routines are an important part of our daily lives, providing structure and stability. This is especially true for children in their formative years, who benefit from having consistent and predictable routines in both their school and home environments. At Toowoomba Grammar School Junior School, we believe that routines are essential for helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. One of the key ways in which routines help students is by providing a sense of security and…

Read More
People
/
Wednesday, 15 Feb 2023

Ten Steps Ahead - Jackie Gallagher

As a high school athlete, Jackie Gallagher had the world at her feet. She was in a unique position where she was excellent at any distance from 100m to 800m. She broke Queensland and National records and was regularly selected for State and National teams. Jackie was selected for the Australian Youth team to compete at the World Youth Championships in Canada as an U18 along with the Australian Junior Commonwealth Games and the Youth Olympics, before making the U20 Australian team to compete at…

Read More
Sports & Activities
/
Thursday, 09 Feb 2023

The Makings of a Premiership

The 2022 1st V Basketball squad will be forever etched in the pages of Toowoomba Grammar School history as the first TGS team to win a GPS Basketball Premiership since the competition commenced in 1984. Head of Basketball, and 1st V Coach, Mr Kabe Cicolini has been instrumental in the growth and success of not just our leading team, but of the TGS Basketball Program as a whole. Kabe has come from a background of playing GPS sport – cricket, rugby and basketball as a student at Ipswich Grammar…

Read More
Junior School
/
Wednesday, 01 Feb 2023

Creating a Learning Environment that Boys Enjoy

Creating an environment for students to access and engage in learning is the educational philosophy of the new Toowoomba Grammar School Head of Junior School, Mr Ken Raven. “This requires a supportive an inclusive learning environment across the school where everyone feels they can make a positive contribution,” Mr Raven stated. “I encourage evidence-informed, explicit teaching of curriculum that sparks curiosity and interest for students to engage and explore.” Parental interaction and…

Read More
Junior School
/
Wednesday, 01 Feb 2023

Introducing our new Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning), Mrs Chantelle Bauer

Toowoomba Grammar School is excited to welcome our new Deputy Head of Junior School (Teaching and Learning), Mrs Chantelle Bauer. Mrs Bauer brings a wealth of experience and passion to her new role, having lived and worked in the Darling Downs and Southwest Queensland region her entire life. She was born and bred in St George, attended university in Toowoomba and took her first teaching role in Roma. She has worked in various roles across the region, including Year Level Coordinator, Head of…

Read More
Boarding
/
Tuesday, 24 Jan 2023

You can't know a student without knowing where they come from

Boarding at Toowoomba Grammar School can be described as many things such as evolving identity, growing personally and developing character in your second home, but it is also about growing your family. Head of Boyce House boarding, Mr Michael Hall and his family, certainly enjoyed that opportunity over January. Catching up with a beautiful collection of current families from Boyce House was a privilege and has helped to build the relationships of trust and care that are essential in a…

Read More