Why Is Manga Mostly Released in Black and White?

When many people first pick up a manga, one thing that often comes as a surprise is that most manga are printed entirely in black and white. This might seem unusual at first, especially when we’re so used to the full-colour comics and graphic novels that dominate Western markets. But there are solid reasons behind this choice that go beyond just tradition or style.

The Surprising Nature of Black and White Manga

Imagine seeing a young kid in a bookstore enthusiastically grab a volume of One Piece. He flips it open, but then quickly puts it back on the shelf. It’s hard to say why exactly he did this, but a strong possibility is the manga’s black and white interior caught him off guard. Many readers—especially those new to manga—don’t expect the artwork to be devoid of colour.

This simple moment highlights a fact that manga fans often take for granted: the majority of manga is published in black and white. It’s an artistic and practical choice that’s a big part of what makes manga unique compared to comics from other cultures.

Understanding the Production Differences Between Manga and Western Comics

Release Frequency and Page Counts

The schedule for producing manga is intense. While a typical Western comic might release 20 to 25 pages per month, manga often comes out far quicker:

• Weekly manga: around 20 to 25 pages.
• Biweekly manga: about 30 to 35 pages.
• Monthly manga: roughly 50 pages.

That’s a huge amount of content produced in tight deadlines. This pace demands efficiency and speed in artwork, which is where black and white printing really helps.

Impact of Colour on Production Time

Adding colour to a comic is a time-consuming process. Western comics often have multiple artists collaborating on each issue to handle the different tasks:

• Main artist: draws the line art and basic visuals.
• Colourist: adds colour separately, typically a specialist.
• Letterer and inker: additional roles completing the production.

In manga, the mangaka (the manga artist or creator) is usually responsible for the line art and often any colour pages, but assistants generally help with backgrounds or inking. The colour work is minimal and done sparingly because it slows down production significantly.

This streamlined process with mainly black and white pages speeds up deadlines and allows more chapters to be published faster.

The Role of Cost and Paper Quality in Manga Publishing

Manga Magazine Pricing and Paper Quality

A good example is Weekly Shonen Jump, a huge and thick manga magazine found in Japan. These magazines often sell for about 250 yen—an incredibly low price considering how much content they include.

This low retail price is mainly possible due to:

• Low-quality, inexpensive paper: keeps print costs down considerably.
• Predominantly black and white printing: colour pages need better paper and cost more.
• Advertising and sponsorship: helps offset production costs.

Most pages in these magazines are printed on cheap paper that doesn’t work well with colour. Occasional colour pages do appear but are printed on higher-quality paper stock to maintain quality. This careful balance keeps manga affordable and accessible.

Colour Pages Reserved as Special Features

When manga creators do include colour, it’s usually limited to special parts such as the opening pages of a chapter or scenes marked by major plot events. These colour sections act like bonus content and aren't part of the standard format.

Examples of Manga in Full Colour

The Unique Case of Osamu Tezuka’s Unico

Osamu Tezuka’s Unico stands out as a rare original manga published fully in colour. The reason behind this is linked to its publisher, Sanrio, who aimed to appeal to Western markets. They released Unico left-to-right (rather than the traditional right-to-left) and in full colour to better attract foreign readers.

For fans of colour manga, Unico is a vibrant and beautiful example. But full-colour manga like this are far from the norm in Japan.

Post-Release Full Colour Manga Editions

There are also popular manga, like High School of the Dead and Dragon Ball, that were initially published in black and white but later received full-colour editions. These colour versions are usually produced after the original release and may involve other artists or specialists in the colouring process. It’s not always clear if the original mangaka handle these colour versions or if they’re outsourced.

If you know more about who colours these editions or the process, sharing your knowledge in our Discord could enrich the manga community.

Summary of Main Reasons Manga Is Predominantly Black and White

The primary reasons for manga being mostly black and white come down to two things:

• Workload: Black and white artwork is quicker to produce. Manga creators can keep up with tight and frequent deadlines without the time-consuming step of shading and colouring every panel.
• Cost and pricing: Printing black and white on cheaper paper keeps manga affordable for readers. Colour pages require better materials and more expenses, which would push prices up.

Colour is generally reserved for special editions, chapter openings, or key scenes. This approach balances reader enjoyment with practical and economic realities of manga production.

Key points:

• Manga releases many pages at a fast pace, making colour impractical.
• Black and white art helps maintain an affordable price for manga magazines and volumes.
• Colour is a special feature, not the norm.

Engaging Readers: What Do You Think?

The topic of manga’s black and white format often sparks lively discussion. Here are some questions to think about:

• What are your thoughts on black and white manga versus full-colour editions?
• Do you see value in the trade-off between low-cost manga and paper quality?
• Have you read coloured manga like Unico or High School of the Dead? How do you feel about them compared to traditional black and white?
• Do you know more reasons why manga stays mostly black and white?

Sharing your opinions and experiences helps grow the manga community and understanding around these creative choices.

Supporting the Anime and Manga Industry Through Your Purchases

If you want to support the manga industry and creators, purchasing manga through trusted outlets like The Manga Menagerie helps keep the business alive. Buying officially licensed volumes also ensures you’re reading quality translations and supporting those who bring these stories to life.

For example, if you’re looking for the latest manga releases to add to your collection, you can find popular volumes like Oshi no Ko Vol. 7 at The Manga Menagerie or Call of the Night Vol. 16.

These official purchases help support the creators and industry so they can keep producing the manga you love.

Manga’s black and white appearance is miles more than just tradition—it’s about efficiency, cost, and delivering stories quickly and accessibly for fans around the world. Understanding these reasons gives us greater appreciation for the effort behind each page and the creative choices mangaka make every week.

For those curious about the nuances of manga production and colouring, exploring iconic exceptions and special coloured editions can offer a fresh perspective on this telling art form.