Have you ever picked up a manga and felt a little confused about where to even begin reading? You’re not alone! Many newcomers to manga are initially puzzled by its unique reading direction. Unlike books and comics from Western countries, manga is traditionally read from right to left. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks, and most manga volumes even include a quick guide to help you get started.
Understanding the Right-to-Left Direction of Manga
The reason manga is read from right to left is deeply rooted in the history of Japanese writing. Historically, Japanese was written vertically in columns, a system known as tategaki (縦書き). These columns were read from top to bottom, and then the columns themselves were read from right to left across the page. Even though modern Japanese is also written horizontally from left to right (yokogaki), manga has largely retained the traditional right-to-left reading direction. This means you’ll navigate through manga panels and pages in a way that feels opposite to reading English text. Everything from the action within the panels to the speech bubbles and sound effects is designed to be experienced in this right-to-left flow.
Manga vs. Western Comics: Key Differences in Reading Direction
Western comics, written in languages that read from left to right, naturally follow a left-to-right reading pattern. When reading English comics, you start at the top left of a page or panel and move towards the right, often following a “Z” pattern down the page. Each page is made up of panels, which are individual images that tell the story sequentially. This left-to-right flow is intuitive for readers accustomed to the English language. The contrast with manga’s right-to-left direction is the primary difference that new manga readers need to adjust to.
Tips for Getting Comfortable Reading Manga
While it might feel strange at first, reading manga right-to-left becomes second nature with a little practice. Here are a few tips to help you get comfortable:
- Start at the Back (Visually): Think of the “cover” of a manga volume as what Western readers would consider the back cover. The first page of the story is at what visually appears to be the back of the book.
- Right Panel First: On a two-page spread or a page with multiple panels, always start with the panel on the right side and then move to the left. Continue reading downwards and then right-to-left again as you progress through the page.
- Follow the Flow: Pay attention to visual cues like panel borders and speech bubble placement, which are designed to guide your eye in the correct right-to-left sequence.
- Don’t Rush: Take your time, especially when you are starting out. If you feel lost, simply backtrack and re-read the panels to ensure you’re following the story correctly.
- Look for Guidance: Many manga, especially those aimed at a wider audience or those translated for English readers, will include a small “How to Read Manga” guide at the beginning to remind you of the direction.
Once you get the hang of the right-to-left reading flow, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in the exciting world of manga! So, pick up a volume and start your manga reading journey today. You might be surprised at how quickly you adapt and begin to appreciate this unique storytelling format.
