In Japan, manga (漫画) is read by people of all ages. You can see anyone from a wee child to a business man or a grey-haired granny reading it IN PUBLIC without being accused of being a geek. It's just that normal. :)
Manga are often divided into genres and demographics, aimed at particular audiences. So let's take a look at some of the basic divisions:
Manga aimed at Females
Manga aimed at Males
Manga are often divided into genres and demographics, aimed at particular audiences. So let's take a look at some of the basic divisions:
- Kodomomuke (子供向け): children (less than 10 years old. "Doraemon" and "Hello Kitty" are for children, and try to teach them moral values while reading sometimes wild and wacky adventures.
Manga aimed at Females
- Shoujo (少女): young girls (aged from 10-18). Examples are "Sailor Moon", "Ouran High School Host Club" and "Fushigi Yugi". There tends to be a lot of romance, though adventures can, and do, happen.
- Josei (女性): women (aged from 18 up). Manga like "Princess Jellyfish" and "Shirokuma Cafe" are examples of josei. These manga tend to be darker and more realistic than shoujo, though "Shirokuma Cafe" is about a bunch of punning, talking animals. Who run a cafe. <g>
Manga aimed at Males
- Shounen (少年): boys under the age of 15. The main character tends to be a boy and there's a lot of action and fighting. Shounen manga include "Naruto", "Bleach" and "Attack on Titan".
- Seinen (青年): males from 15 up. Like josei, seinen is getting darker, maybe psychological, and the themes are more mature. Examples are "Mushishi", "xxxHolic", and "Hellsing".