Manga Sizes Explained: Tankōbon, Bunko, Wideban, and Shelf Fit Tips

Do your manga shelves look uneven, with some rows taller and others tiny and cramped? Or maybe you see words like tankōbon and wideban and wonder what they actually mean.

Once you understand basic manga sizes, everything gets easier. You can plan shelves, pick the right edition, and avoid nasty surprises like books that are too tall for your bookcase.

This guide breaks down the three most common manga formats, gives simple size comparisons in inches and centimeters, and shares easy shelf planning tips. By the end, you will know which size fits your space and your reading style, not just your budget.

If you want extra background on how formats developed, the tankōbon article on Wikipedia is a good deep dive, but let’s keep things simple here.

What do tankōbon, bunko, and wideban actually mean?

In Japan, manga usually starts in a thick magazine. Later, those chapters are collected into smaller books. Those books come in a few standard sizes that keep showing up on your shelf.

Here is the quick idea:

• Tankōbon is the “normal” manga volume you see most often.
• Bunko (or bunkobon) is a compact pocket size, often used for reprints.
• Wideban is a larger, premium-style book with bigger pages.

Sizes can change slightly by publisher, but the feeling is the same. Tankōbon feels like a standard paperback. Bunko feels like a small travel book. Wideban feels closer to a large trade paperback or notebook.

When you see real products, these names start to click. A typical English release such as the Yen Press Oshi No Ko tankobon Vol 1 is a classic tankōbon example, while deluxe collector versions often drift into wideban territory.

Tankōbon: the standard manga volume you see most often

Tankōbon is the size most people picture when they think “manga volume.”

These books collect chapters that first ran in magazines, usually giving you around 150 to 250 pages. Most shonen and shojo series use this size for their main run.

Common tankōbon dimensions are about 13 x 18 cm (around 5.1 x 7.1 inches). Some releases use slightly smaller or larger B6 or A5 trims, but on a shelf they still feel like a neat, medium-size paperback.

English tankōbon, like many Yen Press and Viz titles, match this size pretty closely. They are easy to hold, light to carry, and line up well on standard bookcases.

Bunko (bunkobon): compact pocket size for travel and reprints

Bunko, or bunkobon, is a smaller, pocket-style format. In Japan, this size is common for novels and later manga reprints.

A bunkobon volume often combines more content, such as two or more tankōbon volumes in one thicker book. You might see 200 to 400 pages in a single volume.

The typical bunko size is 10.5 x 14.8 cm (around 4.1 x 5.8 inches). It feels closer to a small paperback or travel guide. Readers like bunko because it is:

• Cheaper in many cases
• Very portable
• Great for rereads or finished series

The trade off is smaller artwork. Detailed panels can be a bit harder to see, especially in dark scenes or dense backgrounds.

Wideban: larger pages for detailed art and deluxe reprints

Wideban volumes go in the other direction. They are larger, with more page space for art and text.

A typical wideban uses A5 size, around 14.8 x 21 cm (about 5.8 x 8.3 inches), and often has 300 or more pages. Many seinen titles, detailed art styles, or premium reprints use a trim like this.

The benefits are clear:

• Bigger art that shows fine detail
• Easier-to-read text and screentones
• Often nicer paper or extras

The downside is weight and space. Wideban books are heavier, cost more, and eat more shelf room. Deluxe releases such as the Rozen Maiden Collector’s Edition Vol 1 show how striking this larger format can look in person.

Manga size comparison guide: inches, centimeters, and how they look on a shelf

Numbers on their own can feel dry, so picture this: bunko is like a small pocket novel, tankōbon is a regular paperback, and wideban is a taller trade paperback that stands out in a row.

If you want to see how these match official Japanese sizes like A5 or A6, the Japanese paper and book size cheat sheet is handy. For a quick guide though, the chart below covers what you need as a casual collector.

Simple size chart: tankōbon vs bunko vs wideban

Here is a simple comparison that keeps things rounded and easy to scan:

 

Think of height first, since that matters most for shelves. Bunko will sit shorter and may hide behind other books. Wideban will stand taller and catch the eye.

Depth (how far the book sticks out) is usually fine for normal bookcases, but box sets or collector editions can be bulkier. Something like the Sailor Moon Box Set Part 1 – Volumes 1-6 takes up both width and depth in a way a single volume does not.

How many manga volumes can fit on a typical shelf?

Let’s say your shelf is around 80 to 90 cm wide (about 31 to 35 inches).

• A tankōbon spine is usually about 1.3 to 1.8 cm thick. If you count with 1.5 cm as a rough guide, a 90 cm shelf can fit around 60 tankōbon in one row.
• Bunko is smaller in width, often close to 1.2 cm, so you might fit 70 or more bunko volumes on the same shelf.
• Wideban is thicker, so plan closer to 2 cm per book. That same shelf might fit around 40 wideban volumes.

To copy this for your own space, measure your shelf in centimeters, then divide by a rough spine width. It will not be perfect, but it gives a good starting point when you plan a new series.

Shelf fit tips: how to plan and protect your manga collection

Once you know the sizes, the next step is keeping everything neat and safe.

Measure first: height, depth, and weight all matter

Grab a tape measure and check three things on your shelf:

1. Height: Measure from the shelf surface to the bottom of the board above. Wideban and tall collector editions need more headroom than tankōbon. Leave at least 1 cm of extra space so books slide in easily.
2. Depth: Most manga fits on standard 25 to 30 cm deep shelves. If your shelf is shallow, test a larger book before you commit to wideban or heavy box sets.
3. Weight: Cheap or thin shelves can sag over time. A row of dense wideban or omnibus volumes can be heavy. If the board bends in the middle, move some volumes to another shelf or support the board from beneath.

Keep the tone light with yourself here. You are not building a museum, just trying to avoid broken boards and crushed pages.

Mixing formats: keeping your rows neat and easy to read

Mixed sizes can look charming or messy, depending on how you arrange them.

Some simple layout ideas:

• Group by size: Put all tankōbon together, all bunko together, and wideban or collector editions in their own row. The spines line up better and are easier to scan.
• Use bookends for short books: Small bunko volumes can sink between taller books. Use bookends or small organizers so they stand up straight and do not drift behind wider spines.
• Photo-friendly rows: If you share shelf photos, keep tall wideban or collector editions at the ends, like “bookends,” and line standard tankōbon in the center. It gives a clean, framed look.

If you want more thoughts on how size changes reading and display, the article on how manga size affects readers offers nice extra context.

Protecting pages and spines over time

A little care goes a long way, even in a small bedroom setup.

• Do not stack heavy wideban or box sets on top of thin bunko. The weight can warp covers and bend corners.
• Keep books out of direct sunlight when you can. UV light fades spines and yellows pages over time.
• Leave a tiny gap at the end of each row so you can slide books out without yanking hard on the spine.
• Pull from the middle of the spine or gently push books on either side to free one volume.

If a volume is rare or special to you, like a limited collector edition, keep it on a slightly roomier shelf where it will not scrape against boards or other books.

Knowing your formats is the first layer of protection for your collection.

Manga sizes can sound technical, but the big picture is simple. Tankōbon is the standard, bunko is compact, and wideban is large and premium. Once you know which is which, you can shop with confidence and plan shelves that actually fit what you buy.

Take a quick look at your current bookcase, measure the height and width, then compare it to the sizes in this guide. Use that as a checklist before your next haul or pre-order.

With a bit of planning, your shelves will look cleaner, your books will last longer, and your collection will grow in a way that feels calm, not cramped. Enjoy building a manga library that fits both your stories and y