Manga is read differently from Western comics; the reading direction is from right to left and top to bottom. This means you start reading from what appears to Western readers as the back of the book, at the top right corner of the page, moving leftwards along the top row of panels, then down to the next row, again from right to left, continuing this pattern throughout the book. Speech bubbles within panels are also read in this right-to-left order, usually starting from the top right speech bubble to the left and downwards as needed.
How to Read Manga Pages
- Start at the top right corner of the page.
- Read panels right to left across the page.
- Move down to the next row and read again right to left.
- Continue until you reach the bottom left corner of the page.
- Turn the page and repeat.
Reading Speech Bubbles
- Speech bubbles are read top to bottom and right to left inside each panel.
- Unlike Western comics, bubbles may not have tails linking them, so follow the natural flow from right to left.
- Thought bubbles come in different shapes and can indicate narration or flashbacks.
Practice and Tips
- It may take some practice for readers used to Western comics, but following the panel and bubble flow becomes intuitive.
- Manga often warns or instructs on reading direction, especially in translated volumes.
- Starting with popular manga or beginner-friendly series may ease the learning curve.
This right-to-left reading order aligns with traditional Japanese writing styles and is critical to understanding the story flow correctly in manga formats.
