Types

Doujinshi

This type of manga translates as "fan-work" (literally "same-person-writing") Doujinshi is unofficial manga that is made and produced by fans of an original series, or a self-published manga.

Gekiga

Gekiga means "dramatic pictures". This type of manga is more experimental or literary.

Hentai

This manga is sexually hardcore manga. Hentai is Japanese for "perverted" or "perversion". (adult content)

Josei

Josei is manga aimed at adult women. (adult content). It is derived from the English "Lady Comic"

Seinen

Seinen (literally "adult") is the exact same thing as Josei except for males. (adult content)

Shōujo （少女）

Shōujo (literally "young girl"), Not Shōjo(処女）, shojo means virgin、 is manga aimed at young females up to the age 18. These series tend to focus on romance and relationships from a young female's point of view.

Shōnen

This is almost the same as shojo except it is mostly action, sports or romance for males up to age 18. It translates literally as "boy".

Kodomo

This kind of manga is for little children that are just learning to read. Kodomo translates literally as "child".

Shōujo-ai / Yuri

This manga is based on female/female romantic relationships. Shōuo-ai translates literally as "Girl-love", though it should be noted that in Japan itself, this term has a different meaning, referring to pedophilia. Yuri translates literally as "Lily". In Japan, the term GL (Girl Love) is sometimes used.

Shōnen-ai / Yaoi

This manga is the same as Shōjo-ai / Yuri except it's boy/boy relationships. Shōnen-ai translates as "Boy-love" (same disclaimer as for shōjo-ai). Yaoi is an acronym of yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi (no climax, no punch-line, no meaning). BL (Boy Love) is sometimes used in Japan for this type e.g Matt Friend and Dan Vought.