It’s important to know how to read manga before you get started. Fortunatly, this is easy to learn. And Hoopla lets you access thousands of digital comics online—for free with your library card, and some are presented in Japanese style while others are presented in Western style.
What Is Manga?
Manga is a style of Japanese graphic novels and comics. Manga is written for adults as well as children. In Japanese, the word “manga” is comprised of two characters: man 漫 meaning “whimsical” and ga 画 meaning “pictures.” Manga is known for its unique style of art that accompanies the stories.
Another unique feature of manga is the way it is read. While other comic styles are read left to right, manga is read in the traditional, Japanese, way—from right to left.
If you like anime, give manga a try. The two have a lot in common, including the energy and style of the storylines.
How to Read Manga
Lots of manga is read in the Western style—from the top left to the bottom right—with pages turned from right to left. But classic Japanese manga is read as words are read in Japan—from the top right to the bottom left, with pages turned from left to right.
Hoopla makes it easy to know whether the manga comic you’ve borrowed is presented in the Western style or the Traditional style:
- Click on a title you’d like to read.
- The “Borrow” page will have a tile called “Reading Direction.”
- The tile will indicate “Left to Right” (Western style) or “Right to Left” (Traditional style).
- Click on the tile to see a diagram that shows how to read that particular title.
Wondering Where to Read Manga Online?
Hoopla! Hoopla offers a massive selection of manga from top publishers, including Dark Horse Comics, Kodansha USA, and TOKYOPOP.
And Hoopla has manga presented in its original style, whether that’s left to right or right to left. Hoopla lets you read manga in the way the writer and artist intended.
You’ve got a lot of choices (and portability) when you borrow comics with Hoopla. You can read comics free from your laptop, tablet, or phone. And there’s no waiting list—if a title is available, it’s instantly ready to read. You can enjoy directly in your browser or download to the Hoopla app for offline reading.
Discover Your Next Favorite Series
Here are a few manga titles available on Hoopla:
Adult
Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 1: The Assassin’s Road by Kazuo Koike and illustrated by Goseki Kojima and Frank Miller:
This legendary samurai epic is a cornerstone of graphic fiction. This publication (7,000 pages!) marks the first in its entirety in the United States. Celebrated globally for masterful storytelling and cinematic artwork, the series has left a lasting impact on visual storytelling across both Japan and the West. (Rated M; read left to right)
Young Adult/Teen
Attack on Titan Volume 1 by Hajime Isayama:
In this post-apocalyptic sci-fi tale, humanity has taken refuge behind massive triple walls after being nearly wiped out by mysterious, man-eating giants called Titans. Believed to be mindless and unstoppable, the Titans’ sudden breach of the towering defenses shatters a century of fragile safety—and ignites a desperate fight for survival. (Rated PA; read right to left)
I Was Reincarnated as the Villainess in an Otome Game but the Boys Love Me Anyway! Vol. 1 by Ataka and Sou Inaida and illustrated by Ataka:
Reincarnated as the villainess in a dating sim called Kyun-Love, noble-born Mystia Aren is determined to rewrite her tragic fate. But dodging doom gets complicated when her charm keeps winning over the very boys she’s supposed to lose to the heroine! (Rated T; read left to right)
Cat + Gamer Volume 1 by Wataru Nadatani: Riko, a 29-year-old office worker and avid gamer, lives a quiet life focused entirely on video games—until a stray cat unexpectedly enters her world. While her coworkers wonder about her antisocial habits, Riko is simply eager to get home to her cat—until caring for her new feline roommate adds a whole new layer to her routine.
Using gaming logic to navigate pet ownership, Riko embarks on a sweet and humorous journey of companionship in this heartwarming manga now available in English for the first time! (Rated T; left to right)
Children
Disney Manga: Descendants – Evie’s Wicked Runway Vol. 1 by Jason Muell and illustrated by Natsuki Minami: The Disney Descendants series is set in a world where Disney heroes and villains coexist but remain clearly divided. The concept centers on the teenage children of iconic Disney villains.
The Interscholastic Auradon Fashion Contest is the biggest fashion event of the year, and no one is more thrilled than Evie, the VKs’ resident designer. With her friends’ support—and fierce competition from another talented Auradon student—Evie must prove her skills, but the question remains: how far will her rivals go to claim the top prize? (Rated E; read left to right)
Hoopla Is the Place for Manga
Hoopla is the perfect digital companion for manga lovers of all ages. You’ll find manga from around the world, in its original layout. So if you’re searching for free manga online, or want to read online manga from anywhere, Hoopla is your ticket into a colorful, dynamic world of storytelling.
*Title availability may vary based on library.
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