History of Manga in Timeline
Manga are Japanese comics or graphic novels, characterized by a distinct visual style developed in Japan during the late 19th century. The term 'manga' encompasses both comics and cartooning within Japan. Outside Japan, the word specifically refers to comics that were originally published in Japan, distinguishing them from other forms of comics.
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Japan faces earthquake concerns fueled by a manga's disaster prediction. Tokyo warns of tremors after 1000 quakes hit Tokara Islands. Airlines canceled flights amid heightened alert, authorities dismiss doomsday claims.
1905: Manga-Magazine Publishing Boom Started
In 1905, the manga-magazine publishing boom started with the Russo-Japanese War, Tokyo Pakku was created and became a huge hit. After Tokyo Pakku in 1905, a female version of Shōnen Sekai was created and named Shōjo Sekai, considered the first shōjo magazine. Shōnen Pakku was made and is considered the first children's manga magazine.
May 1924: Kodomo Pakku was Launched
Kodomo Pakku was launched May 1924 by Tokyosha and featured high-quality art by many members of the manga artistry like Takei Takeo, Takehisa Yumeji and Aso Yutaka. Some of the manga featured speech balloons, where other manga from the previous eras did not use speech balloons and were silent.
May 1935: Publication of Manga no Kuni
In May 1935, Manga no Kuni was published and coincided with the period of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945).
1937: Start of the Second Sino-Japanese War
In 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War began, which coincided with the publication period of Manga no Kuni.
August 1940: Manga no Kuni handed its title to Sashie Manga Kenkyū
In August 1940, Manga no Kuni handed its title to Sashie Manga Kenkyū
January 1941: End of Manga no Kuni Publication
In January 1941, the publication of Manga no Kuni ended.
1945: Allied Occupation of Japan
In 1945, the Allied occupation of Japan began, influencing manga through U.S. cultural elements such as comics, television, film, and cartoons.
1945: End of the Second Sino-Japanese War
In 1945, the Second Sino-Japanese War ended, which coincided with the publication period of Manga no Kuni.
1949: Birth Year of Many Year 24 Group Artists
The "year 24" comes from the Japanese name for the year 1949, the birth-year of many of these artists.
1950: Emergence of Large Manga Readership
Between 1950 and 1969, an increasingly large readership for manga emerged in Japan with the solidification of its two main marketing genres, shōnen manga aimed at boys and shōjo manga aimed at girls.
1952: End of Allied Occupation of Japan
In 1952, the Allied occupation of Japan ended, marking a period during which U.S. cultural influences, including comics, television, film, and cartoons, impacted the development of manga.
1955: Rakuten Kitazawa Used "Manga" in the Modern Sense
Rakuten Kitazawa (1876–1955) first used the word "manga" in the modern sense in 1955.
1959: Chronicles of a Ninja's Military Accomplishments was released
In 1959–1962, Gekiga such as Sampei Shirato's Chronicles of a Ninja's Military Accomplishments arose in the late 1950s and 1960s, partly from left-wing student and working-class political activism, and partly from the aesthetic dissatisfaction of young manga artists like Yoshihiro Tatsumi with existing manga.
1962: Chronicles of a Ninja's Military Accomplishments was released
In 1959–1962, Gekiga such as Sampei Shirato's Chronicles of a Ninja's Military Accomplishments arose in the late 1950s and 1960s, partly from left-wing student and working-class political activism, and partly from the aesthetic dissatisfaction of young manga artists like Yoshihiro Tatsumi with existing manga.
1969: Emergence of Large Manga Readership
Between 1950 and 1969, an increasingly large readership for manga emerged in Japan with the solidification of its two main marketing genres, shōnen manga aimed at boys and shōjo manga aimed at girls.
1969: Year 24 Group Made Shōjo Manga Debut
In 1969, a group of female manga artists (later called the Year 24 Group, also known as Magnificent 24s) made their shōjo manga debut.
1975: Shōjo Manga Continued to Develop Stylistically
In the following decades (1975–present), shōjo manga continued to develop stylistically while simultaneously evolving different but overlapping subgenres.
1980: First manga translated into English in the U.S.
In 1980, one of the first manga translated into English and marketed in the U.S. was Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot Gen, an autobiographical story of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima issued by Leonard Rifas and Educomics.
1982: Barefoot Gen published by Educomics
In 1982, Leonard Rifas and Educomics published Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot Gen, an autobiographical story of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
1986: Release of Golgo 13 in the U.S.
In 1986, more manga were translated into English, including Golgo 13 in the U.S.
1986: Founding of Studio Proteus by Toren Smith
In 1986, translator-entrepreneur Toren Smith founded Studio Proteus, which acted as an agent and translator of many Japanese manga.
1987: Ninja High School
In 1987, Ben Dunn created Ninja High School, a comic influenced by manga.
1987: Releases of manga from First Comics and Viz Media-Eclipse Comics
In 1987, several manga were translated, including Lone Wolf and Cub from First Comics, and Kamui, Area 88, and Mai the Psychic Girl, all from Viz Media-Eclipse Comics.
1988: The Dirty Pair
In 1988, Adam Warren and Toren Smith created The Dirty Pair, a comic influenced by manga.
1988: Releases of manga from Marvel Comics' Epic Comics imprint, Viz Media, and Eclipse Comics
In 1988, manga releases included Akira from Marvel Comics' Epic Comics imprint, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind from Viz Media, and Appleseed from Eclipse Comics.
1993: Electric Tale of Pikachu sales record
In 1993, the Pokémon manga Electric Tale of Pikachu issue #1 sold over 1 million copies in the United States, making it the best-selling single comic book in the United States since 1993.
1994: Release of Iczer-1 from Antarctic Press
In 1994, Iczer-1 was released by Antarctic Press.
1995: Release of F-111 Bandit from Antarctic Press
In 1995, Ippongi Bang's F-111 Bandit was released by Antarctic Press.
1995: Manga Market Valued at ¥586.4 Billion
In 1995, the manga market in Japan reached a value of ¥586.4 billion ($6–7 billion), marked by annual sales of 1.9 billion manga books and magazines, averaging 15 issues per person.
1995: Manga Sales Topped ¥600 Billion Mark
In 2020, manga sales topped the ¥600 billion mark for the first time in history, beating the 1995 peak due to a fast growth of the digital manga market which rose by ¥82.7 billion from a previous year, surpassing print manga sales which have also increased.
1997: Manga Shi 2000
In 1997, Crusade Comics released Manga Shi 2000, a comic influenced by manga.
2000: Manga Shi 2000
In 2000, Crusade Comics released Manga Shi 2000, a comic influenced by manga.
2000: Kyoto Seika University manga course
Since 2000, Kyoto Seika University in Japan has offered a highly competitive course in manga.
2002: Launch of Amerimanga series
In 2002, I.C. Entertainment, formerly Studio Ironcat, launched a series of manga by U.S. artists called Amerimanga.
2004: Launch of Rumble Pak and Sakura Pakk anthology series
In 2004, eigoMANGA launched the Rumble Pak and Sakura Pakk anthology series.
2005: Manga Represents 38% of French Comics Market
In 2005, manga represented 38% of the French comics market, equivalent to approximately three times that of the United States, and valued at about €460 million ($640 million).
2005: Record of 70 million manga sales in Germany
In 2005, manga sales in Germany reached a record of 70 million.
2006: Dōjinshi Represented About a Tenth of Manga Sales
In 2006, dōjinshi represented about a tenth of manga books and magazines sales.
2006: Manga Sales Represent Significant Portion of Total Book and Magazine Sales
In 2006, sales of manga books made up about 27% of total book-sales, and sale of manga magazines, for 20% of total magazine-sales.
May 2007: Inauguration of the International Manga Award
Since May 2007, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has awarded the International Manga Award annually.
2007: Growing Influence of Manga on International Comics
By 2007, the influence of manga on international comics had grown considerably over the past two decades.
2007: Manga dominance in German comics market
In 2007, about 70% of all comics sold in Germany were manga.
2007: Dōjinshi Sales Amounted to 27.73 Billion Yen
In 2007, dōjinshi sales amounted to 27.73 billion yen (US$245 million).
2007: Manga Publication Industry Valued at 40.6 Billion Yen
In Japan, manga constituted an annual 40.6 billion yen (approximately US$395 million) publication-industry by 2007.
2008: U.S. and Canadian manga market sales
By 2008, the U.S. and Canadian manga market generated $175 million in annual sales.
2010: Tokyo Government Considers Bill to Restrict Minors' Access to Explicit Manga
In 2010, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government considered a bill to restrict minors' access to explicit sexual material in manga.
2010: Inauguration of Manga Day in Germany
Since 2010, Germany celebrates Manga Day on every 27 August.
2011: Anime Adaptation of Sazae-san Draws More Viewers Than Any Other Anime
In 2011, the anime adaptation of Machiko Hasegawa's "Sazae-san" drew more viewers than any other anime on Japanese television.
2012: Manga Market in Europe and the Middle East Valued at $250 Million
In 2012, the manga market in Europe and the Middle East was valued at $250 million.
2013: Manga surpasses Franco-Belgian comics in France
In 2013, there were 41 publishers of manga in France. Together with other Asian comics, manga represented around 40% of new comics releases in the country, surpassing Franco-Belgian comics for the first time.
2014: Manga Market Stagnant
In 2014, the domestic manga market in Japan remained in the ¥400 billion range annually.
2015: Boys' Love Manga Became Popular in the Philippines
In 2015, Boys' Love manga became popular through the introduction of BL manga by printing company BLACKink in the Philippines. Among the first BL titles to be printed were Poster Boy, Tagila, and Sprinters, all were written in Filipino. BL manga have become bestsellers in the top three bookstore companies in the Philippines since their introduction in 2015.
2016: Television Series Adapted from BL Manga Stories in Thailand
During 2016, Boys' Love manga became a popular mainstream with Thai consumers, leading to television series adapted from BL manga stories since 2016.
2016: Digital Manga Sales Jump While Paper Manga Declines
In 2016, sales of digital manga books excluding magazines jumped 27.1 percent to ¥146 billion from the year before while sales of paper manga saw a record year-on-year decline of 7.4 percent to ¥194.7 billion.
2017: Viz Media market share
As of 2017, manga distributor Viz Media is the largest publisher of graphic novels and comic books in the United States, with a 23% share of the market.
January 2019: Manga market growth
From January 2019 to May 2019, the manga market grew 16%, compared to the overall comic book market's 5% growth.
May 2019: Manga market growth
From January 2019 to May 2019, the manga market grew 16%, compared to the overall comic book market's 5% growth.
2019: Barcelona Manga Festival
In 2019 the Barcelona Manga Festival counted with 120,000 fans.
2019: Manga exhibition at The British Museum
In 2019, The British Museum held a mass exhibition dedicated to manga.
2019: Manga Market Stagnant
In 2019, the domestic manga market in Japan remained in the ¥400 billion range annually.
January 2020: Manga market share
As of January 2020, manga is the second largest category in the US comic book and graphic novel market, accounting for 27% of the entire market share.
2020: Manga Sales Topped ¥600 Billion Mark
In 2020, manga sales topped the ¥600 billion mark for the first time in history, beating the 1995 peak due to a fast growth of the digital manga market which rose by ¥82.7 billion from a previous year, surpassing print manga sales which have also increased.
2020: Manga Market Expands Due to COVID-19
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased time spent at home, causing the manga market to rapidly expand to ¥612.6 billion.
2020: North American Manga Market Valued at Almost $250 Million
In 2020, the North American manga market was valued at almost $250 million.
2021: Manga Publishers Among Top Comics Publishers
As of 2021, the top four comics publishers in the world are manga publishers Shueisha, Kodansha, Kadokawa, and Shogakukan. Also, manga made up 76% of overall comics and graphic novel sales in the US in 2021.
2021: Manga Sales Dominate French Comics Market
In 2021, 55% of comics sold in France were manga and France is the biggest manga importer.
2021: Manga sales rise in Germany and France
In 2021, 75 percent of the €300 value of Culture Pass accounts given to French 18-year-olds was spent on manga. Additionally, in 2021 manga sales in Germany rose by 75% from its original record of 70 million in 2005.
2021: Record number of new manga title publications in Spain
In 2021, the Spanish manga market hit a record of 1033 new title publications.
2021: Increase in manga sales in the U.S.
Sales of print manga titles in the U.S. increased by 3.6 million units in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. In 2021, 24.4 million units of manga were sold in the United States.
2022: Barcelona Manga Festival
In 2022 the 28th edition of the Barcelona Manga Festival opened its doors to more than 163,000 fans, compared to a pre-pandemic 120,000 in 2019.
2022: Mangaka dominate top-selling comic creators in the U.S.
In 2022, most of the top-selling comic creators in the United States were mangaka. The same year manga sales saw an increase of 9%.
April 2023: Japan Business Federation Proposes Promoting Manga Industry Abroad
In April 2023, the Japan Business Federation laid out a proposal aiming to spur the economic growth of Japan by further promoting the contents industry abroad, primarily anime, manga and video games, for measures to invite industry experts from abroad to come to Japan to work, and to link with the tourism sector to help foreign fans of manga and anime visit sites across the country associated with particular manga stories.
2023: Manga sales value in the U.S.
In 2023 manga sales amounted a value of $381.16 million USD with 57% of all titles sold coming from Viz Media.
2023: Europe manga market size estimated
In 2023, The Europe manga market size was estimated at USD 676.1 million.
2024: Creation of an awards program to honor manga creators
In 2024, LeftField Media in cooperation with Japan Society created an awards program to honor manga creators with work available in English.
2024: Digital Manga Accounts for ¥512.2 Billion of Domestic Manga Market
In 2024, of the total ¥704.3 billion domestic manga market in Japan, the digital segment accounted for ¥512.2 billion, excluding print editions.
2024: Manga Market Reaches Record High
In 2024, the manga market reached a record high of ¥704.3 billion, with digital manga accounting for approximately ¥500 billion and print manga making up about ¥200 billion.
2024: Projected growth rate of Europe manga market
The Europe manga market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.6% from 2024 to 2030.
2030: Projected growth rate of Europe manga market
The Europe manga market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.6% from 2024 to 2030.
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