Quick Guide to Different Types of Manga and its Sub-Genres

Choosing from the different types of manga is like choosing between different flavors at an ice cream shop. There’s a taste for everyone, whether you crave thrilling action, heartwarming drama, or magical adventures. Each type of manga brings its own unique world, characters, and themes, inviting readers to explore new realms.

Manga has become a global phenomenon, captivating readers with its diverse range of genres. But with so many types of manga to explore, where do you even start? Whether you're a newbie looking to dive into the world of manga or a seasoned reader eager to discover new gems, understanding the different genres can help guide your journey. 

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular manga types that shape the world of Japanese comics. Let’s dive into these genres that have captured hearts worldwide!

Different Types of Manga

Manga types focus on demographics, tailoring content to specific age groups and genders. Meanwhile, the sub-genres dive deeper into themes, like action, romance, or fantasy, offering a variety of storytelling styles within each demographic. This combination ensures that manga appeals to both specific audiences and broader interests.

Below are some of the most popular types of manga, each with its own style, themes, and target audience. Let’s dive in!

Shonen

Target Audience: Young boys, typically ages 12 to 18Common Themes: Action, adventure, friendship, rivalry, and self-growth

Shonen manga is the gateway for many manga fans, often the first type they experience. With dynamic action, vivid characters, and coming-of-age narratives, it thrives on the ever-popular “underdog” story. The hero, usually a young boy with untapped potential, rises through grit and determination, like Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto or Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia. These characters face challenges that test their limits, all while building powerful friendships along the way.

What sets Shonen apart is its energy—its capacity to deliver thrilling action sequences and emotionally charged moments. Over time, shonen manga has expanded, integrating more nuanced themes such as camaraderie, perseverance, and resilience. It’s a genre that resonates deeply, offering both excitement and life lessons. Whether you're a fan of Dragon Ball Z's fierce battles or the world-building of One Piece, shonen is full of stories that leave you hooked.

Common Genres within Shonen

Shonen manga is action-packed, full of adventure, and typically involves growth and friendship. Some popular genres within shonen include:

• Action: High-energy battles, fast-paced physical confrontations, and intense events (e.g., Dragon Ball, Naruto).
• Adventure: Epic quests, exploring new lands or uncovering hidden truths, where the journey itself is just as thrilling as the destination (e.g., One Piece, Hunter x Hunter).
• Fantasy: Magical powers, mythical creatures, and fantastical realms that stretch the imagination (e.g., Fairy Tail, Black Clover).
• Sports: The thrill of competition, teamwork, and personal growth through sports (e.g., Haikyuu!!, Kuroko no Basket).
• Comedy: Lighthearted, humorous stories that often incorporate action or adventure (e.g., Gintama, One Piece).
• Isekai: The "other world" subgenre where characters are transported to new, fantastical realms and must adapt to survive or conquer these new realities (e.g., Re:Zero, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime).

Shojo

Target Audience: Tween and teen girlsCommon Themes: Romance, drama, coming-of-age stories, and emotional growth

Shojo manga is where emotions and relationships take center stage, embracing everything from tender romances to complicated friendships. Think of it as the perfect mix of heartfelt drama and magical moments, where characters experience significant personal growth, often set against a backdrop of magical worlds or school life. A classic example is Sailor Moon, where the daily struggles of being a teenager merge with the high-stakes task of saving the world.

Shojo’s vivid artwork, often soft and pastel-colored, complements the genre’s exploration of delicate emotions and personal relationships. Its stories offer a comforting escape, letting readers live vicariously through idealized romances and complex social dynamics. As shojo manga evolved, it grew to reflect the changing social roles of women from the '70s onward. Its heartfelt themes make it relatable to anyone navigating the complexities of youth.

Common Genres within Shojo

Shojo manga focuses on emotional growth and relationships and often features idealized romance. Common genres under this type include:

• Romance: Focused on love and romantic relationships, often dramatized to pull at the heartstrings (e.g., Sailor Moon, Fruits Basket).
• Drama: Emotional, melancholic narratives dealing with personal growth, unrequited love, or family dynamics (e.g., Ouran High School Host Club, Nana).
• Fantasy: Magical worlds or supernatural elements that blend with themes of love and friendship (e.g., Cardcaptor Sakura, Yuki Yuna is a Hero).
• Slice of Life: Depicting ordinary life with a strong focus on emotional development and relationships (e.g., Kare First Love, Aqua).
• Isekai: In shojo, the genre often involves a magical or fantasy world where characters discover their true self through love, adventure, or self-discovery (e.g., Fushigi Yugi, Kyo Kare Maoh!).

Kodomomuke

Target Audience: Young children (under 12)Common Themes: Fun, friendship, learning, adventure

Kodomomuke manga is designed for young children, focusing on simple, fun narratives that teach valuable life lessons. These stories feature child protagonists who navigate adventures that highlight kindness, honesty, and teamwork. Manga like Anpanman and Doraemon are perfect examples, with colorful artwork and wholesome, easy-to-understand plots that both entertain and educate. These mangas aim to promote early literacy and positive values through their light-hearted themes.

The artwork is playful, with bright colors and simple designs that appeal to young readers. The plots are often filled with magical elements or humorous situations, keeping children engaged. These mangas help children build a love for reading while providing moral guidance through easy-to-follow stories.

Common Genres within Kodomomuke

• Adventure: Light-hearted adventures that often involve exploring new worlds or solving problems in creative ways (e.g., Pokemon Adventures).
• Educational: Stories that focus on teaching life lessons, values, or basic academic skills (e.g., Doraemon).
• Fantasy: Magical elements and imaginative scenarios that introduce children to fantasy worlds (e.g., Shiroi Kumo).
• Humor: Fun, comedic plots that are designed to make children laugh and enjoy the absurdity of simple situations (e.g., Hamtaro).

Also Read: 20 All-Time Best Horror Manga

Seinen

Target Audience: Adult men (18+)Common Themes: Darker narratives, realism, violence, and philosophical musings

Seinen manga is the playground for more mature, complex storytelling. It is filled with morally gray characters and themes that challenge the reader's perceptions of good and evil. Stories in this genre, like Berserk or Tokyo Ghoul, often feature deep psychological exploration, existential dilemmas, and gritty realism. These works aren’t afraid to confront the darkness within both the characters and the world around them.

Since its rise in the 1960s, seinen manga has redefined what comics can be, breaking away from the notion that manga was just for kids. Seinen is more likely to contain philosophical musings, intricate character studies, and violence that isn't glorified but rather explored for its impact on the human condition. It is a genre for those who seek more thought-provoking material alongside compelling narratives.

Common Genres within Shonen

Seinen manga features mature, often darker themes and more complex, nuanced storytelling. The genres in seinen tend to be much more varied and philosophical:

• Horror: Psychological or supernatural horror that often explores deep mental states or grotesque themes (e.g., Tokyo Ghoul, Berserk).
• Mystery/Thriller: Complex plots revolving around crime, investigation, and suspense, often with darker or morally ambiguous tones (e.g., Monster, 20th Century Boys).
• Psychological: Deep introspection and exploration of the human mind, often dealing with trauma or mental illness (e.g., Oyasumi Punpun, Pluto).
• Action: High-intensity violence, battle sequences, and realistic combat scenarios (e.g., Hellsing, One-Punch Man).
• Historical: Stories set in specific historical periods, dealing with themes like war, survival, or political struggle (e.g., Vagabond, Arte).

Josei

Target Audience: Adult women (18+)Common Themes: Realistic romance, career struggles, and personal relationships

Josei manga offers a more grounded and mature take on love, relationships, and the everyday struggles of adulthood. Unlike the dreamy first loves in Shojo, josei explores the complexities of adult relationships, whether they involve navigating careers, dealing with loss, or managing societal expectations. Nana is a prime example, offering a deep dive into friendship, love, and ambition, making it a relatable experience for adult readers.

Originating in the 1980s, josei manga began reflecting the changing roles of women in Japanese society. It portrays life’s challenges realistically, allowing readers to see themselves in the characters' struggles and triumphs. The genre offers a refreshing break from idealized portrayals, showcasing raw, imperfect characters trying to balance their emotional, professional, and personal lives.

Common Genres within Josei

Josei manga often deals with the realities of adulthood, including relationships, careers, and the emotional aspects of life. Genres here can be very grounded and relatable:

• Romance: More mature and realistic romantic relationships than those found in shojo, often exploring the complexities of love and life (e.g., Paradise Kiss, Love at Fourteen).
• Drama: Realistic stories about love, loss, and personal struggles (e.g., Honey and Clover, Akatsuki no Fumi).
• Slice of Life: Everyday life, usually with an adult perspective, dealing with real-world issues (e.g., A Story of Seven Lives, Ao no Hana Utsuwa no Mori).
• Comedy: Often light-hearted or quirky stories, but still dealing with adult humor or situations (e.g., Gokusen, Kuragehime).

Also Read: What is Isekai Anime? Your Guide to Otherworldly Adventures

Genres Not Directly Included in Manga Types

Mecha

Popular Titles: Mobile Suit Gundam, Code Geass, Date A Live

Mecha is a genre that revolves around massive robots, typically piloted by humans, which play a central role in the story. These robots often serve as weapons of war or symbols of power in futuristic or dystopian settings. The mecha genre has roots in Japanese anime and manga, with iconic series such as Mobile Suit Gundam that explores complex themes of war, politics, and human nature through the lens of giant mechanized combat suits. 

Mecha can range from high-octane action and military strategy to philosophical musings on the human condition. While mecha anime is widely known, the genre’s influence is strong in manga as well, often combining elements of science fiction, action, and sometimes even psychological drama, as seen in Code Geass.

Yaoi

Popular Titles: Junjou Romantica, Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi, Love Stage!!

Yaoi, or "Boys' Love" (BL), focuses on romantic and often sexual relationships between male characters. These stories cater to female audiences and explore themes of love, passion, and the emotional dynamics of male/male relationships. Yaoi manga can range from lighthearted romantic comedies to more dramatic and explicit stories. 

Junjou Romantica and Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi are examples of popular Yaoi series that feature complex emotional connections between the characters, often paired with intense romantic conflict and development. The genre has grown in popularity worldwide, with a significant following for both its storytelling and its portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships.

Also Read: 20 Best Yaoi Manga of All Time

Yuri

Popular Titles: Bloom Into You, Citrus, Strawberry Panic

Yuri, or "Girls' Love" (GL), focuses on romantic and sexual relationships between female characters. It explores the complexities of love, intimacy, and emotional growth between women. These narratives often combine sweet, tender moments with the challenges women face in their romantic relationships, making it a deeply emotional genre. 

Bloom Into You and Citrus are key examples. Bloom Into You delves into the delicate emotions of a slow-burn romance, while Citrus adds dramatic tension with its portrayal of a forbidden relationship. Yuri manga can range from light-hearted, slice-of-life stories to more intense romantic dramas.

Supernatural

Popular Titles: She is In the Summer, Angel Beats!: Heaven’s Door

Supernatural manga blends the normal with the otherworldly, introducing ghosts, spirits, demons, and various magical or supernatural entities into otherwise realistic settings. The genre can encompass horror, mystery, and even action, depending on the narrative’s focus.

Supernatural stories are often tied to psychological themes, exploring how the human mind copes with or is changed by the presence of the paranormal.

These genres, while not always classified under the major manga types, play a significant role in the broader manga landscape, offering unique stories and engaging narratives that cater to diverse tastes and interests.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to manga, there's a genre for everyone, whether you're craving high-octane action, deep emotional journeys, or imaginative fantasy worlds. From the heart-pounding battles of Shonen to the thoughtful and mature themes explored in Seinen and Josei, manga has something to offer at every stage of life. And let’s not forget the unique, niche genres like Mecha, Yaoi, Yuri, and the Supernatural, which bring fresh perspectives to the medium, pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

As you explore these genres and dive deeper into the worlds they create, let Dashtoon be your guide. With a diverse selection of manga to discover and characters you'll love, Dashtoon is the perfect platform for manga enthusiasts of all kinds. 

Whether you're just starting or you're already a seasoned fan, there's always something new waiting for you to explore. Happy reading!