On Campus : Bunn Library : Research Tools : Graphic Novels 101 : Manga

Since most of the Manga titles out there are aimed at a very young audience (e.g., Dragonball Z), or at females (Sailor Moon). Because of this, I (being an adult male) haven't really read too many Manga or Japanese comics titles. The kids in your library will be pretty eager to tell you what Manga titles they like. If you're curious about a title they suggest, simply pop the title into Google, and you can read up on the title's appropriateness for your collection.

Some terms:

Shojo (or shoujo) manga: Japanese girls comics
Shonen manga: Japanese boys comics

For a larger explanation of Manga and Anime, click here.

I will mention the few here that I have read and have liked:

USAGI YOJIMBO (Dark Horse Comics) written and drawn by Stan Sakai (originally published in the compilation Albedo, vol. 1, #2-4 (1984-1985);in the compilation Critters vol. 1, #1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 38, 50 (1986-1990); in Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special #1 (1986); in various compilation books (1986-2001); as an ongoing series, vol. 1, #1-38 (1987-1993); vol. 2, #1-16 (1993-1995); vol. 3, #1- (1996-present))
Brief Synopsis: Samurai rabbit has adventures in 17th Century Japan, fighting bad guys.
Audience: All ages (mild cartoon violence -- would be Rated PG) (black & white, with come color stories)

• Usagi Yojimbo Book One: The Ronin (collects stories from Albedo issues #2-4,;Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special #1; Critters #1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14;
• Doomsday Squad #3 (Fantagraphics Books) [1987]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Two: Samurai (collects issues vol. 1, #1-6) (Fantagraphics Books) [1989]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Three: The Wanderer's Road (collects issues vol. 1, #7-12, story from Turtle Soup #1 (Fantagraphics Books) [1989]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Four: The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy (collects issues vol. 1, #13-18) (Fantagraphics Books) [1990]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Five: Lone Goat and Kid (collects issues vol. 1, #19-24) (Fantagraphics Books) [1992]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Six: Circles (collects issues vol. 1, #25-31, and story from Critters #50) (Fantagraphics Books) [1994]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Seven: Gen's Story (collects issues vol. 1, #32-38) (Fantagraphics Books) [1996]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Eight: Shades of Death (collects issues vol. 2, #1-6) (Dark Horse Comics) [1997]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Nine: Daisho (collects issues vol. 2, #7-14) (Dark Horse Comics [1998]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Ten: Brink of Life and Death (collects issues vol. 2, #15-16, vol. 3, #1-6) (Dark Horse Comics) [1998]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Eleven: Seasons (collects issues vol. 3, #7-12) (Dark Horse Comics) [1999]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Twelve: Grasscutter (collects issues vol. 3, #13-22) Dark Horse Comics) [1999]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Thirteen: Grey Shadows (collects issues vol. 3, #23-30) (Dark Horse Comics) [2000]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Fourteen: Demon Mask (collects issues vol. 3, #31-38, also a story from Dark Horse Presents #140, a story from Dark Horse Annual
• 1999, a story from Wizard Magazine #97, a story from Oni Double Feature #11, and a story from Dark Horse Extra (Dark Horse Comics) [2001]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Fifteen: Grasscutter II: Journey to Atsua Shrine (collects issues vol. 3, #39-45) (Dark Horse Comics) [2002]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Sixteen: The Shrouded Moon (Collects issues vol. 3, #46-52) (Dark Horse Comics) [2003]
• Usagi Yojimbo Book Seventeen: Duel at Kitanoji (collects issues vol. 3, #53-60) (Dark Horse Comics) [2003]

REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA (Viz Communications) written by Be-Papas, illustrated by Chiho Saito (originally published in Japan, 1996)
Brief Synopsis: High school girl Utena is haunted by the memory of a mystery man who saved her (who might not have been real). Her mission is to find this mystery man at her private school. In addition, Utena also is granted with special dueling powers when she comes in contact with a magic sword.
Audience: All ages (mild cartoon violence -- would be rated PG) black & white

• Revolutionary Girl Utena, vol. 1: To Till (Viz Communications) [2001]
• Revolutionary Girl Utena, vol. 2: To Plant (Viz Communications) [2002]
• Revolutionary Girl Utena, vol.3: To Sprout (Viz Communications) [2003]

JOAN (ComicsOne) written by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko (originally published in Japan, 1995-1996)
Brief Synopsis: Set in medieval France during the Hundred Years War, a young woman raised as a man by the same person who took Joan of Arc under his wing is guided by visions of La Pucelle (the name given to Joan by followers). Emil seeks to unite France under the divine rule of the King.
Audience: Teens & up (violence, sex, nudity -- would be rated PG-13) black & white with watercolor backgrounds

• Joan: Book I (ComicsOne) [2001]
• Joan: Book II (ComicsOne) [2001]
• Joan: Book III (ComicsOne) [2001]

Those are the only Manga titles I've read so far; however, I have friends who like the title Shonen Jump! (Viz Communications). Also, CD and Marvel have begun publishing some titles in the Manga style. DC's "Vertigo Pop!" series has been well received. Marvel's "Mangaverse" series is also popular. Other than these titles, I am looking into the title Love Hina (Tokyopop), which I have heard is also very good.