October 12, 2026 · Manga Yugen Team
Manga vs Manhwa vs Manhua: What's the Difference (and How to Read Each)
Japanese, Korean and Chinese comics look similar but are made — and read — differently. Here's a quick guide.
The short version
| Manga | Manhwa | Manhua | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Japan | South Korea | China |
| Reading direction | Right to left, page by page | Top to bottom (scroll) | Top to bottom (scroll) |
| Colour | Mostly black and white | Full colour | Full colour |
| Typical format | Printed volumes | Webtoons (long strips) | Webtoons / pages |
Manga: read right to left
Manga panels are laid out from right to left, so the "first" page of a volume is what Western readers would call the back. On Manga Yugen, manga open one page at a time: tap the left side of the screen or press ← to go forward. Examples in our library: Chainsaw Man, My Dress-Up Darling and The Eminence in Shadow.
Manhwa: built for your phone
Korean manhwa are usually published as webtoons: one long, full-colour strip per chapter, made for scrolling. That's why they open as a vertical scroll here. Try Solo Swordmaster or Swordmaster’s Youngest Son.
Manhua: the home of cultivation stories
Chinese manhua are often full colour too, and many follow cultivators climbing towards immortality. They're read top to bottom like manhwa.
Can I change the reading mode?
Yes. In the reader, the book button in the header switches between Right → left, Left → right and Scroll, and remembers your choice.