The Difference Between Manga, Manhua, and Manhwa

People who might get into the world of Asian comic books will often confuse these three’s differences. However, they can be just distinguished very easily through their country’s origins. However, we’re not talking only about their country’s roots. But their individual concepts, styles, and impact on the world.

The Difference Between Their Origins

If we talk about manga, this is something we have probably heard for the longest time compared to the other two. Manga is a comic book and a graphic novel typically aimed at any kind of audience with its various genre. The anime shows that we have watched are usually adapted from Manga since they’re both from Japan. Traditionally, manga is printed physically and currently has a variant called web manga. A manga that can only be read digitally.  Moreover, Manga has a significant impact and influence on Japanese culture.

Secondly, we have Manhua. Manhua is a comic book made in China and Taiwan. And naturally, it’s written in Chinese. Unlike manga, they are usually created and read digitally which is ideally convenient because of technology’s conveniences.

Lastly, Manhwa is what we call the comic book and graphic novel in South Korea. The term is generally used if we basically call print cartoons and comics in Korea. And because of webtoons, it eventually reached outside and is being enjoyed by people around the world. And similar to Manhua, they are also meant to be read digitally.

The Stylistic and Cultural Differences of Manga, Manhua, and Manhwa

The artistic styles of every country are reflected not only in their skills and emotions but also in their own tradition and culture. But in the case of these three, they subtly share their culture through their art and settings, and the concepts of their story.

Manga

The artistic style of manga is that they are always illustrated in black and white colors only to leave the readers to imagine colors in each of their panels.  Hence, it’s more diverse for interpretation. Unlike your standard books, Manga is meant to be read from right to left because it simply follows the traditional culture of Japan in reading and writing text from right to left. Since manga is publishing way longer than the other two, it is natural that Manga has more titles and is more diverse compared to the other two.

Manhua

One might wonder about the subtle difference in spelling between Chinese Manhua and Korean Manhwa. Not only in their spelling but also in their style when it comes to art and concepts, particularly in the Action genre.  What differentiates Manhua from the other two is that this has a strong cultural significance in storytelling, particularly in their martial arts. If you’ve read or gotten into Manhua, you will notice that majority of their concept and setting involve martial arts, especially in their mainstream titles.

Manhwa

Though both Manhwa and Manhua have similar art styles and are meant to be read for mobile, the distinction between the two is their stories, settings, and the culture behind them. Manhwa’s storyline and settings are subtly reflected in their beauty culture. You might notice them in the average character designs of Manhwa characters. Moreover, they are infatuated with the concept of awakening and reincarnation as plot tools for progressions.