Knowing where to start with manga can be overwhelming, but these recommendations are perfect starting points for school and library settings. Each one is age-appropriate for its audience and includes a practical approach for incorporating the title into lesson plans and library programs.
Read it: Two adorable children, Ethan and Emma, follow their curiosity to a local comic book convention where Doa, a small red panda, appears and teaches them the history of anime and manga. They travel magically back in time, starting in 12th century Japan, and the adventure only becomes more delightful from there. Packed with cute characters, lively illustrations, and a historically accurate plot, this is an excellent title for beginning manga readers and budding anime enthusiasts.
Teach it: The Discovery of Anime & Manga is an excellent starting point for readers of all ages and levels before diving into manga itself. They will not only learn how to read it, but where it started, and how it grew into a worldwide phenomenon, offering multiple opportunities for productive classroom discussions. Back matter includes a helpful glossary, and Immedium also has several free resources available, including coloring pages (PDF) and activities (PDF).
Comics Plus Package(s): Elementary, Children’s Library, All-Access for Schools, All-Access for Public Libraries
Read it: Amy has a new puppy, Brada, who everyone in her neighborhood instantly adores. She leaves Brada at home and heads to school, where the class learns about probability and applies it to a practical exercise. When she returns home, realizing the gate was left open and Brada is missing, Amy and her friends apply their knowledge of probability to narrow down where they should search. Despite the unlikelihood of runaway pets using a logical pattern, the story—and the overall Manga Math Mysteries series—is a fun vehicle for familiarizing grade school-age students with mathematical concepts while tapping into their interest in manga.
Teach it: This title and series are perfect for the classroom. Along with a thorough handling of the probability lesson, social & emotional learning is also explored as the friends interact and support each other’s feelings about the missing Brada. They seek adult assistance but ultimately are empowered by their own knowledge to solve the missing dog mystery. An easy way to complement lessons on probability and the importance of having, and being part of, a supportive community.
Comics Plus Package(s): Elementary, Middle School, Children’s Library, All-Access for Schools, All-Access for Public Libraries
Read it: Franz Kreuzstein seeks to destroy all those named “Ludwig'' after his mother dies from being startled by a peacock bearing the name. Meanwhile, budding composer Ludwig van Beethoven has more than his share of hardships struggling with hearing loss and at the whim of his alcoholic father. The titular Ludwig is sympathetic from the start, with the challenges he faced even in early life make for a fascinating teen level read. While this title is certainly approachable for those new to manga, avid fans of the medium will appreciate that this is the last and unfinished work of Osamu Tezuka, the “Godfather of Manga” himself. Having visited many of Beethoven’s historically significant locations first-hand, Tezuka’s depiction of Beethoven is fleshed out with believable characterization. Both volumes are a testament to one culturally significant artist’s perception of another.
Teach it: This manga adaptation of the prolific composer’s life is detailed and accurate enough to use for a comprehensive book report, but disclaimers about culturally insensitive character renderings provide a talking point, as both Beethoven’s story and Tezuka’s depiction of him are artifacts of their respective times and cultures.
Comics Plus Package(s): Middle School, High School, Children’s Library, All-Access for Schools, All-Access for Public Libraries
Read it: Beautifully adapted by Stacy King and artists Chagen, Linus Liu, Uka Nagao, Virginia Nitouhei, and pikomaro, this selection of Poe’s work includes the best-known hits: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, The Raven, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Fall of the House of Usher. Each tale gets its own chapter and artist, and is an excellent way to introduce these classics to a new generation of manga fans.
Teach it: Older teens (and even adults) will love discovering or reconnecting with the classic works of Edgar Allan Poe in manga form, and Manga Classics offers free, comprehensive Teacher’s Guides to support the use of their popular adaptations of literary classics in classrooms.
Comics Plus Package(s): High School, All-Access for Schools, All-Access for Public Libraries
Read It: This multi-volume series by professional artists, including Ben Dunn and Fred Perry, begins with the essential basics on drawing manga, and expands from there. Black and white throughout, the focus is squarely on demonstrating technique and evolving one’s skills. Starting with an explanation of manga art paper, the text interweaves the history and origins of manga as an art form in a very natural flow, along with step-by-step drawing instructions. Everything from pencil recommendations to the essentials of manga eyes and portraying expressions are covered. Although the text is accessible to all readers, and the techniques are broken down for absolute beginners to understand, it also involves detailed attention to anatomy, so this series is most appropriate for mature teen and adult aspiring artists.
Teach It: This series could serve as the foundation of an art class, workshop, or makerspace activities for older teens, or recommended to mature aspiring artists or storytellers interested in manga. Practical exercises are included that can be done alone or as group activities, for in-person or virtual settings.
Comics Plus Package(s): High School, All-Access for Schools, All-Access for Public Libraries
Expert curated manga titles to start your reading journey!
Whether your readers are not ready to jump into traditional manga, or they've read it all and are craving more, here are some recommendations to keep them engaged.
