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History of Manga Timeline
(12th Century - Present)Manga is the Japanese art form of comics and graphic storytelling that has evolved over centuries. From early illustrated scrolls like the Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga to the woodblock prints of the Edo period, and through the revolutionary post-war works of Osamu Tezuka, manga developed into a major cultural industry. Today, it encompasses diverse genres for all audiences and has become a globally influential medium shaping art, entertainment, and popular culture worldwide. More Less
Origins and Early History
Toba Ehon embeds the concept of manga
1603 - 1867
During the Edo period (1603–1867), another book of drawings, Toba Ehon, embedded the concept of manga, further developing Japan's tradition of illustrated storytelling.
Image source: History of manga
Kibyōshi may be world's first comic books
1780 - 1800
Even though Eastern comics are generally held separate from the evolution of Western comics, Kern has suggested that kibyōshi, picture books from the late 18th century, may have been the world's first comic books.
Image source: Kibyōshi
Shiji no yukikai published by Santō Kyōden
1798
The word manga first came into common usage in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, beginning with Santō Kyōden's picture book Shiji no yukikai (1798). This also marks the first recorded use of the term manga to mean 'whimsical or impromptu pictures,' predating Hokusai's popular usage by several decades.
Image source: Santō Kyōden
Aikawa Minwa publishes Manga hyakujo
1814
Aikawa Minwa's Manga hyakujo was published in 1814, contributing to the early common usage of the word manga for collections of drawings and sketches.
Image source: Manga
Hokusai Manga books published
1814 - 1834
The celebrated Hokusai Manga books (1814–1834) contain assorted drawings from the sketchbooks of the famous ukiyo-e artist Hokusai (1760–1849), helping popularize the term manga.
Dehōdai mucharon speculated as early example
1822
In the first half of the 19th century, Dehōdai mucharon (1822) is speculated to be an early example of manga-like publications, with prints from the artist Hiroshige, who illustrated several books of this kind between 1820 and 1837.
Modernization of Manga
Western-style satirical cartoons introduced to Japan
1870 - 1900
As illustrated magazines for Western expatriates introduced Western-style satirical cartoons to Japan in the late 19th century, new publications in both Western and Eastern styles became popular. Modern manga originated from these Western-style cartoons featured in late 19th century Japanese publications.
Term manga refers to cartooning
1890
The term manga first came into use in the late 18th century, though it only started to refer to various forms of cartooning in the 1890s and did not become a common word until the 1910s.
Image source: Manga
Jiji Manga debuts in Jiji Shinpō newspaper
1900
1900 saw the debut of Rakuten's Jiji Manga in the Jiji Shinpō newspaper—the first use of the word manga in its modern sense—and where, in 1902, he began the first modern Japanese comic strip.
Image source: Kitazawa Rakuten
Kitazawa Rakuten uses 'manga' in modern sense
1900
Kitazawa Rakuten (1876–1955) was the first artist to use the word manga in the modern sense, laying the groundwork for modern Japanese comics.
Key Facts
- The Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga (scrolls of frolicking animals) from the 12th century are often considered precursors to modern manga due to their expressive cartoon-like style.
- Osamu Tezuka, known as the 'God of Manga,' revolutionized the medium after World War II with works like Astro Boy, introducing cinematic techniques and story-driven narratives.
- Manga magazines such as Weekly Shōnen Jump, launched in 1968, became instrumental in serializing hit series like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto.
- Manga is typically published in black-and-white and read right-to-left, reflecting traditional Japanese writing conventions.
- By the 21st century, manga became a global industry worth billions of dollars, influencing international comics, animation (anime), and digital platforms like webtoons.
Source
This History of Manga timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.
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