Manga Grading Made Simple: NM, VG, Shelf Wear, and Foxing

Starting a manga collection feels great, until grading terms start to get in the way. Knowing what NM, VG, shelf wear, and foxing mean helps you spot value fast, set fair prices, and buy with confidence.

Grading is a simple way to describe a book’s condition. It comes from comic and book collecting, and it works perfectly for manga. You don’t need a microscope, just clear terms and a quick eye.

Here’s what we’ll cover in plain language, with examples you can use. NM means near mint, clean and tight with only tiny flaws. VG means very good, solid and readable with noticeable wear. Shelf wear is the scuffing or rubbing from storage and handling. Foxing is those rusty brown spots from age or humidity.

New to collecting and worried about keeping spines sharp and pages bright? We’ll keep it practical, from spotting honest wear to avoiding costly surprises. If you want a primer on caring for physical books and why condition drives value, see this guide on shelf wear and manga preservation tips.

By the end, you’ll read listings faster, grade your own volumes with ease, and know when a “deal” is actually a downgrade. Grab a volume off your shelf, take a quick look at the cover, spine, and page edges, then compare as we go.

What Does NM Mean in Manga Grading?

NM stands for Near Mint, a grade that signals a manga is nearly perfect. Think clean covers, crisp white pages, and a tight spine with no reading crease. On a 10-point scale, NM sits above 9.0, often 9.2 to 9.6. It looks new at first glance, with only the tiniest signs of handling.

Picture a fresh volume straight from the shop. The cover still has that smooth, glossy feel. Corners are sharp, page edges are bright, and there are no stickers or marker lines. That is NM.

NM matters for value. High-grade copies hold up better in collections, display well, and resell faster. Buyers trust NM because it reads as “almost new,” which reduces surprises. If you are planning to upgrade or sell later, NM gives you the best shot at a strong return without paying the premium for a true Mint.

Spotting NM in seconds:

• Check the spine under good light. No colour break or crease.
• Scan the cover surface at an angle. Look for tiny lines, not long creases.
• Inspect edges and corners. Minimal rubbing, no blunting.
• Fan the pages. No waves, tears, stains, or odours.

If you are unsure, ask yourself: does it look brand new from arm’s length? If yes, you are likely in NM territory.

Examples of NM Flaws That Still Qualify

NM allows a few tiny flaws you can only see up close. Use these cues to self-assess:

• Hairline cover tick: a faint, 5 mm line that does not break colour.
• Small bend under 1/8 inch: imagine a corner that flexed slightly, then flattened. No crease line.
• Slight edge whitening: a whisper of white along the bottom edge from storage, not chipping.
• Tiny fingerprint smudge: think a faint print that wipes off with a clean cloth.
• Minute spine tick: one or two micro marks without colour break.

What disqualifies NM:

• Tears or chips of any size on the cover or pages.
• Spine crease with colour break or a clear reading line.
• Large creases over 1/8 inch, even if flattened.
• Stains, foxing, or moisture waves you can see without tilting.
• Blunted or crushed corners you feel right away.

Use bright, indirect light, hold the book at angles, and check top, bottom, and fore-edge. If a flaw jumps out, it is not NM. If you need to hunt for it, it probably is.

Breaking Down VG Condition for Manga Lovers

VG means Very Good, a solid mid-grade that shows honest wear but is still complete and easy to read. Think of your favourite book that has been loved and shared. It is not crisp anymore, yet it still looks tidy on a shelf and feels great in hand. On a 10-point scale, VG usually sits around 5.0 to 7.0. Eye appeal is decent, value is fair, and for many readers it hits the sweet spot between price and presentation. For grading reference, the Beckett manga grading scale outlines how common defects affect scores.

Common VG Wear and How to Spot It

VG copies carry visible flaws that you can spot at arm’s length. Use bright, indirect light and a slow tilt to catch surface issues.

• Light creases: Small bends or cover ripples that do not destroy art. If the crease breaks colour or runs long across the cover, you are moving toward Good.
• Minor fading: Slight dulling of inks from sun or age. Strong sun-bleach that changes the cover tone lowers the grade further.
• Small scratches: Fine scuffs from shelf rub. Deep gouges or glossy layer loss push it below VG.
• Bent corners: Rounded or softly blunted tips. Crushed or split corners suggest Good or Fair.
• Slight discolouration: Mild yellowing at page edges. Heavy tanning, brittleness, or foxing clusters belong in lower grades.
• Short spine tears: Tiny nicks or splits up to 1/2 inch. Longer tears, loose binding, or a fully broken reading crease drop the grade.

Smart care can lift presentation without risking damage:

1. Use a dry microfibre cloth to lift dust from covers. Avoid liquids.
2. Brush page edges with a soft, clean makeup brush to remove grit.
3. Gently rub non-inked white areas with a vinyl eraser. Test in a corner first.
4. Flatten mild bends by interleaving clean paper, then pressing under books for a day.
5. Slip the volume into an acid-free bag with a backing board. Store upright, out of sun.
6. Reduce odour by airing in a dry space with an open box of baking soda nearby. Do not let the book touch it.

VG is a smart buy if you read your collection. You pay less, you still get a complete, tidy copy, and you will not stress about every tiny mark. For shelves and rereads, VG delivers strong value for budget-focused collectors.

Spotting Shelf Wear and Foxing in Your Manga

Shelf wear and foxing show up in most collections, even careful ones. Shelf wear is minor ageing from storage and handling. Think slight colour fading on the cover, tiny edge rubs, or subtle surface scratches that do not cut through the ink. Foxing is different. It appears as brown or reddish speckles on page edges or inside the paper, caused by moisture and paper chemistry. Foxing affects appearance, not structure, but both issues can lower grades from NM into VF or VG if they are easy to spot at arm’s length.

Quick examples help. A spine-side fade from months in direct sun is shelf wear. A cluster of rusty dots along the top edge from humid storage is foxing. Coffee rings, pen marks, or food stains are not foxing; those are external stains and usually hit grades harder.

If you prefer context on format choices and long-term care priorities, this practical read pairs well with collecting goals: Physical vs. Digital Manga Collection Guide.

Preventing Shelf Wear and Foxing at Home

Prevention is simple, consistent, and cheap. Set up your shelves once, then keep a light routine.

• Store cool and dry. Aim for stable temps around 18 to 22°C, with humidity near 40 to 55 percent. Use silica gel packs for damp rooms.
• Avoid direct light. Sunlight fades inks fast, and UV accelerates yellowing. Use curtains, UV film, or choose a shaded wall.
• Use protective sleeves. Acid-free manga bags and backing boards cut down on rub, dust, and accidental scuffs.
• Shelve upright, not stacked. Support books with snug bookends to stop leaning and edge wear.
• Keep air moving. A small fan or a cracked window helps prevent moisture pockets that lead to foxing.
• Dust gently. Use a microfibre cloth for covers and a soft brush for page edges.

How to tell foxing from other marks:

• Foxing looks speckled, reddish-brown, and irregular, often on edges and within the paper.
• Mould looks fuzzy or smeary and often smells musty.
• Stains from drinks or oils have clear outlines or smudges.

Spot issues early, then adjust storage. Early detection keeps grades higher, protects value, and stops small flaws from turning into big ones. For a concise refresher on storage do’s and don’ts, this Manga Preservation Guide covers light, humidity, and simple tools that work in Aussie homes.

Conclusion

NM signals a near-new copy, VG points to a tidy, well-read book. Shelf wear and foxing are common, manageable, and less scary once you know the signs. With a quick check of covers, spines, and edges, you can grade faster, price smarter, and avoid costly surprises.

Start grading your own shelf today. Pick three volumes, note two positives and one flaw each, then set fair condition notes. This habit builds confidence for buying, selling, and trading without stress. Want a companion read to refine your collecting goals and storage choices? Try this practical physical vs digital manga collecting guide.

Thanks for reading. Share your grading wins and tricky calls in the comments, especially any foxing or shelf wear saves. Your notes help other collectors make better picks. Collect with intent, protect what you love, and build a collection you are proud to show off.