Anime vs Manga: What Is the Difference?

People use the words anime and manga interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Here is the quick answer, and a fun way to test yourself after.

The simple difference

• Manga is the Japanese term for comics — black-and-white printed pages read from right to left.
• Anime is Japanese animation — the animated series and films adapted from manga, light novels or original stories.

How they connect

Most anime are adapted from manga. A manga becomes popular, then a studio turns it into an anime. Classics like Naruto, One Piece and Demon Slayer all started as manga in Shonen Jump before becoming worldwide anime phenomena.

Why both matter

Manga lets you read at your own pace and often tells the full story, while anime brings it to life with voice acting, music and motion. Fans usually love both.

Test your knowledge

Now that you know the difference, prove it! Play the Anime Quiz, master Anime Trivia with creator and studio facts, and recognize legendary voices in Anime Quotes. All games are free on our anime games hub.