Updated 03-Aug-2025
Manga being a Japanese word, there are several other words (in other languages) for this kind of thing:
- Japanese: Manga
- Korean: Manhwa
- Chinese: Manhua
- English (US, CA, UK, etc.): Comics, Graphic Novels
- French: Bande dessinée
Note the main differences between Manga, Manhwa, and Manhua.
In Japan, the light novel -- akin to YA fiction in the US -- is generally the predecessor to Manga and Anime. However, some Manga are born fully-fledged, by talented artists / storytellers. An example is Hirohiko Araki, who also wrote the fantastic Manga in Theory and Practice.
Many if not the majority of works go from web novels to light novels to manga to anime (animation).