<p>The difference between manga, manhwa and manhua would be like the difference between amour, amor and amore. French, Spanish and Italian are all romance languages, so since love would be amor in Latin, you can see how the word stayed relatively the same in all three languages, but evolved to something that would fit more natural in the respective language. The same goes for comics in the south east.</p>

<p>Both Japanese and Korean is heavily influenced by the Chinese language. Their word for comic all stems from the same 漫畫. In countries where traditional chinese is still used, like Taiwan and Hongkong, you can still see the usage of 漫畫, this had become more simplified to 漫画, which you can see in Japan and mainland China. Korean differs from Japan, in the sense that they completely stopped using Chinese characters since King Sejong had created Hangeul for the poor and illiterate in the 1440s, so they started writing comics as 만화, but it was still based on the chinese 漫畫.</p>

<p>So as with French, Spanish and Italian slightly evolving the pronunciation, the same happened with Japanese and Korean, pronouncing mànhuà as manga and manhwa respectively. </p>

<p>Due to cultural difference, the read direction and such are obviously different. You can read more about this in <a href="https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/7005/6166">kuwaly's answer</a>.</p>

<hr>

<p><sub>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga</a><br>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhwa" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhwa</a><br>
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhua" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhua</a>
</sub></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-15T11:25:27.603Z
2014-08-15T11:25:27.603Z
2017-04-13T12:54:49.090Z
Peter Raeves
<p>Regarding Chinese manhua, I wouldn't really rely on Wikipedia too much. Having looked at the wiki page, I can notice errors with what was written there by whoever wrote it. So, here's a Chinese view on it from someone who has lived in China and reads manhua.</p>
<p>I think what's also ignored is the fact that Hong Kong manhua is mostly oriented towards street-fighter style themes than most Japanese manga which is more diverse.</p>
<p>People seem to not pay attention to certain Taiwanese contributions as well, which are more talked about here: <a href="http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/36203-chinesese-comicsmanhua-taiwan-and-hong-kong/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/36203-chinesese-comicsmanhua-taiwan-and-hong-kong/</a></p>
<p>Manhua can be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Read from left-to-right or right-to-left</li>
<li>Black and White or full color (Mostly Hong Kong)</li>
<li>Weekly or Monthly releases</li>
</ul>
<p>Manhua has distinct storylines from manga and manhwa, which is due to cultural differences. (Yes, they're not &quot;all the same&quot; as you would like to think and, honestly, it is quite offensive to say that they are the same)</p>
<p>If you read a few manhua, manhwa, and manga that deal with cultural aspects, you will notice the differences. For instance, try to compare:</p>
<ul>
<li><em>Tales of Demons and Gods</em> (manhua)</li>
<li><em>The Breaker: New Waves</em> (manhwa), and</li>
<li><em>Chivalry of a Failed Knight</em> or maybe <em>Gate: Jieitai Kano Chi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri</em> (I tried to pick something comparable, yet, most Japanese manga seem to focus around overdramatic school life or just plain scifi, thus why I put 2 recommendations for Japanese manga since the later is written by a former JSDF officer).</li>
</ul>
<p>You will notice subtle differences brought forward by the distinct cultures of all three regions.</p>
<p>All-in-all, if you're not sure about something, I wouldn't suggest looking it up on Wikipedia.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-27T22:14:43.087Z
http://www.nickstember.com/dont-call-manga-short-introduction-chinese-comics-manhua/
李克男 - Vik
CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-07-27T22:14:10.227Z
2021-06-21T09:47:40.030Z
2021-06-21T09:47:40.030Z
李克男 - Vik
<p>All are from Asia, and the art style is totally different. </p>

<p>Chinese Manhua uses more slender characters: mostly for males it's the big muscles, large chest with a narrow waist, but female characters are slender and slightly thicker than Japanese Manga women characters and no overly large breasts or hips. But yet, all the characters in Manhua are simple, beautiful model type. </p>

<p>Japanese Manga, on the other hand, is more slender: no big, overgrown muscle types. Pretty much everything is stylized; from hairstyle, to clothes, and even facial expression. That's what keeps it funny but yet serious at the same time. Characters vary in shapes and sizes which gives variety, but more than most are built on the same platform. </p>

<p>South Korea Manhwa is a combo of the two, it uses all aspects of Manhua &amp; Manga. The male characters look more feminine and sometimes drawn almost to look like the female, but its raw power of telling a story with pictures is beautiful. </p>

<p>So, what I'm trying to say here is if you're ever looking for a break for the soap opera America comics (such as Marvel and DC Comics) and looking for an intense genre of stories and art, check out Manhua, Manhwa, or Manga. They won't disappoint.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-10-19T03:20:32.357Z
Exceptions obviously exist. Baki, for example, is Japanese but full of overgrown muscle types.
Yamikuronue
CC BY-SA 4.0
2014-10-23T19:58:35.597Z
2019-04-18T09:07:22.990Z
2019-04-18T09:07:22.990Z
Sam
<p>Manhua and Manhwa are versions of manga. But each has distinct differences.</p>

<p>Main <strong>Types</strong> Difference:</p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Made in different countries.</strong> Manga is made in Japan, Manhua is made
(for the most part) in China, Manhwa is made in Korea.</li>
<li><strong>Different art styles.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Different ways of publishing.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Different storytelling trends.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Different types and amount of types.</strong> (By types I mean like Shonen,
Seinen…)
And many more!
If you want to know more, this is an in-depth article and probably the best on the topic, but its a bit of a hard read.</li>
<li><a href="https://godanimereviews.com/difference-origin-manga-manhua-manhwa/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Difference and Origin of Manga, Manhua, and Manhwa | GodAnimeReviews</a></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-13T21:19:33.093Z
2018-11-13T21:19:33.093Z
userWhoKnows
<p>Really, I think the biggest difference is in cultural references and influence. While there are similarities, they aren't the same. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-22T03:54:17.473Z
2016-09-22T03:54:17.473Z
Alyxandra
<p>For me:</p>
<ul>
<li>Manga: multi-panel and can be read from left-to-right or right-to-left</li>
<li>Manhua: full-colored multi-panel and can be read from left-to-right or right-to-left too</li>
<li>Manhwa: full-colored single-panel and read from top-to-bottom, I don't think manhwa can be read from left-to-right or right-to-left</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-28T17:11:58.340Z
`Manga Multi Panel and can be read from left to right or right to left` I'm not sure about left to right manga. `Manhua Full colored multipanel and can be read from left to right or right to left too` Not all manhua are full color `Manhwa Full colored single panel and read from top to bottom` That is comic strip format, and the text bubble still flows from left to right. Not all manhwa are full color.
nhahtdh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-08-28T16:27:30.880Z
2021-06-21T10:01:47.163Z
2021-06-21T10:01:47.163Z
Yansen Yan
<p>What you listed cover many of the major differences, though there are others.</p>

<p><strong>Manga</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>From Japan</li>
<li>Multi-panel</li>
<li>Almost always black and white</li>
<li>Right-to-left</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Manhua</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>From China</li>
<li>Full color with some panels rendered entirely in painting (1)</li>
<li>Single issue format (1)</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Manhwa</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>From South Korea</li>
<li>Usually horizontal, left-to-right</li>
<li>Can be vertical, right-to-left, top-to-bottom (2)</li>
</ul>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhua">(1)</a> </p>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhwa">(2)</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-15T11:07:18.237Z
@ShinobuOshino I would suspect older Korean comics to be from right to left. Korean language and culture, has heavy influences from Chinese and Japanese, so I would suspect older comics to be from right to left. Not so much anymore.
Peter Raeves
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-28T17:14:53.510Z
Note that not all manhua are full color. Recent titles are full color, but there are many titles which are monochrome.
nhahtdh
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-18T02:20:34.383Z
I don't know there is manhwa read from right to left
Darjeeling
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-18T03:05:01.050Z
@ShinobuOshino I got it from Wikipedia (which I added the link to). It's probably from the manga influence, though that is only my conjecture and not based on anything I have read.
kuwaly
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-18T07:02:32.850Z
Note that not all of
кяαzєя
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-01-18T00:19:45.130Z
2014-01-18T03:04:17.517Z
2014-01-18T03:04:17.517Z
kuwaly
<p>I understand that <em>manga</em> is from Japan and read from right to left, whereas <em>manhwa</em> is from Korea, read from left to right, and <em>manhua</em> is from China, and read from right to left (If I'm not mistaken). Are these the only differences between the three, or is there something else?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-07-30T04:08:34.913Z
Manga = Japanese , Manhwa/Manhua = Korean
Tanya von Degurechaff
<terminology>
What's the difference between manga, manhwa, and manhua?
# What's the difference between manga, manhwa, and manhua?
Posted by: username_0 on 2014-01-18
I understand that *manga* is from Japan and read from right to left, whereas *manhwa* is from Korea, read from left to right, and *manhua* is from China, and read from right to left (If I'm not mistaken). Are these the only differences between the three, or is there something else?
**Tags:** terminology
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Manga = Japanese , Manhwa/Manhua = Korean  
---
## 7 answers
### Answer by username_10 on 2014-01-18. Score: 17 | Accepted answer
What you listed cover many of the major differences, though there are others.

**Manga**

* From Japan
* Multi-panel
* Almost always black and white
* Right-to-left

**Manhua**

* From China
* Full color with some panels rendered entirely in painting (1)
* Single issue format (1)

**Manhwa**

* From South Korea
* Usually horizontal, left-to-right
* Can be vertical, right-to-left, top-to-bottom (2)

[(1)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhua)

[(2)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhwa)
> **Comments:**
> **username_0** (2014-01-18): I don't know there is manhwa read from right to left  
> **username_10** (2014-01-18): @ShinobuOshino I got it from Wikipedia (which I added the link to). It's probably from the manga influence, though that is only my conjecture and not based on anything I have read.  
> **username_11** (2014-01-18): Note that not all of  
> **username_2** (2014-08-15): @ShinobuOshino I would suspect older Korean comics to be from right to left. Korean language and culture, has heavy influences from Chinese and Japanese, so I would suspect older comics to be from right to left. Not so much anymore.  
> **username_9** (2015-08-28): Note that not all manhua are full color. Recent titles are full color, but there are many titles which are monochrome.  
---
### Answer by username_2 on 2014-08-15. Score: 5
The difference between manga, manhwa and manhua would be like the difference between amour, amor and amore. French, Spanish and Italian are all romance languages, so since love would be amor in Latin, you can see how the word stayed relatively the same in all three languages, but evolved to something that would fit more natural in the respective language. The same goes for comics in the south east.

Both Japanese and Korean is heavily influenced by the Chinese language. Their word for comic all stems from the same 漫畫. In countries where traditional chinese is still used, like Taiwan and Hongkong, you can still see the usage of 漫畫, this had become more simplified to 漫画, which you can see in Japan and mainland China. Korean differs from Japan, in the sense that they completely stopped using Chinese characters since King Sejong had created Hangeul for the poor and illiterate in the 1440s, so they started writing comics as 만화, but it was still based on the chinese 漫畫.

So as with French, Spanish and Italian slightly evolving the pronunciation, the same happened with Japanese and Korean, pronouncing mànhuà as manga and manhwa respectively.

Due to cultural difference, the read direction and such are obviously different. You can read more about this in [kuwaly's answer](https://anime.stackexchange.com/a/7005/6166).

---

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga>  
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhwa>  
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhua>
---
### Answer by username_3 on 2016-07-27. Score: 1
Regarding Chinese manhua, I wouldn't really rely on Wikipedia too much. Having looked at the wiki page, I can notice errors with what was written there by whoever wrote it. So, here's a Chinese view on it from someone who has lived in China and reads manhua.

I think what's also ignored is the fact that Hong Kong manhua is mostly oriented towards street-fighter style themes than most Japanese manga which is more diverse.

People seem to not pay attention to certain Taiwanese contributions as well, which are more talked about here: <http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/36203-chinesese-comicsmanhua-taiwan-and-hong-kong/>

Manhua can be:

* Read from left-to-right or right-to-left
* Black and White or full color (Mostly Hong Kong)
* Weekly or Monthly releases

Manhua has distinct storylines from manga and manhwa, which is due to cultural differences. (Yes, they're not "all the same" as you would like to think and, honestly, it is quite offensive to say that they are the same)

If you read a few manhua, manhwa, and manga that deal with cultural aspects, you will notice the differences. For instance, try to compare:

* *Tales of Demons and Gods* (manhua)
* *The Breaker: New Waves* (manhwa), and
* *Chivalry of a Failed Knight* or maybe *Gate: Jieitai Kano Chi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri* (I tried to pick something comparable, yet, most Japanese manga seem to focus around overdramatic school life or just plain scifi, thus why I put 2 recommendations for Japanese manga since the later is written by a former JSDF officer).

You will notice subtle differences brought forward by the distinct cultures of all three regions.

All-in-all, if you're not sure about something, I wouldn't suggest looking it up on Wikipedia.
> **Comments:**
> **username_3** (2016-07-27): http://www.nickstember.com/dont-call-manga-short-introduction-chinese-comics-manhua/  
---
### Answer by username_4 on 2014-10-23. Score: 1
All are from Asia, and the art style is totally different.

Chinese Manhua uses more slender characters: mostly for males it's the big muscles, large chest with a narrow waist, but female characters are slender and slightly thicker than Japanese Manga women characters and no overly large breasts or hips. But yet, all the characters in Manhua are simple, beautiful model type.

Japanese Manga, on the other hand, is more slender: no big, overgrown muscle types. Pretty much everything is stylized; from hairstyle, to clothes, and even facial expression. That's what keeps it funny but yet serious at the same time. Characters vary in shapes and sizes which gives variety, but more than most are built on the same platform.

South Korea Manhwa is a combo of the two, it uses all aspects of Manhua & Manga. The male characters look more feminine and sometimes drawn almost to look like the female, but its raw power of telling a story with pictures is beautiful.

So, what I'm trying to say here is if you're ever looking for a break for the soap opera America comics (such as Marvel and DC Comics) and looking for an intense genre of stories and art, check out Manhua, Manhwa, or Manga. They won't disappoint.
> **Comments:**
> **username_5** (2020-10-19): Exceptions obviously exist. Baki, for example, is Japanese but full of overgrown muscle types.  
---
### Answer by username_6 on 2018-11-13. Score: 0
Manhua and Manhwa are versions of manga. But each has distinct differences.

Main **Types** Difference:

* **Made in different countries.** Manga is made in Japan, Manhua is made
  (for the most part) in China, Manhwa is made in Korea.
* **Different art styles.**
* **Different ways of publishing.**
* **Different storytelling trends.**
* **Different types and amount of types.** (By types I mean like Shonen,
  Seinen…)
  And many more!
  If you want to know more, this is an in-depth article and probably the best on the topic, but its a bit of a hard read.
* [Difference and Origin of Manga, Manhua, and Manhwa | GodAnimeReviews](https://godanimereviews.com/difference-origin-manga-manhua-manhwa/)
---
### Answer by username_7 on 2016-09-22. Score: -1
Really, I think the biggest difference is in cultural references and influence. While there are similarities, they aren't the same.
---
### Answer by username_8 on 2015-08-28. Score: -3
For me:

* Manga: multi-panel and can be read from left-to-right or right-to-left
* Manhua: full-colored multi-panel and can be read from left-to-right or right-to-left too
* Manhwa: full-colored single-panel and read from top-to-bottom, I don't think manhwa can be read from left-to-right or right-to-left
> **Comments:**
> **username_9** (2015-08-28): `Manga Multi Panel and can be read from left to right or right to left` I'm not sure about left to right manga. `Manhua Full colored multipanel and can be read from left to right or right to left too` Not all manhua are full color `Manhwa Full colored single panel and read from top to bottom` That is comic strip format, and the text bubble still flows from left to right. Not all manhwa are full color.  
---
