Easy to read manga Vol. 04 – A mixed bag

<div><p>When I started to read manga I was always looking for the ones which contain furigana to make picking up new vocab easier. On top of that, I was under the impression that manga with furigana support generally was a little more on the easy side with their content. Don’t ask me why I thought that because when young Japanese boys and girls still may have some problems with their Kanji reading skills, they, of course, are speaking Japanese perfectly. There is no limitation in vocab or grammar and why should there be any. These kids are already going to high school. I was obviously thinking about manga which were aimed at kids, young kids. Nevertheless, there actually are some manga out there which are more easy than other and contain furigana, which really makes picking up new vocab much more comfortable. But now that we cleared that little misbelief we can continue with some great manga recommendations for Japanese learners.</p><p>If you haven’t read my previous manga recommendations:</p><p>– <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-to-read-manga-for-japanese-beginners-vol-01/">Easy to read manga for Japanese beginners Vol.01</a>, <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-to-read-manga-for-japanese-beginners-vol-02/">Vol.02</a>, <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-to-read-manga-for-japanese-beginners-vol-03-without-furigana/">Vol.03</a></p><p>And if you’re not sure how ordering manga from Japan works check my guide about <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/guide-where-to-buy-japanese-manga-and-books/">how to order books from Japan</a>.</p><h3>This time content only, no furigana restrictions</h3><p>I probably made my point clear why you shouldn’t give two cents about if a manga has furigana or not to judge about its difficulty. Especially if you already started with <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/getting-back-learning-japanese-wanikani/">WaniKani</a>. Read something without furigana and be amazed that you probably don’t recognize some Kanji you always seemed to ace at your daily WaniKani practice. That’s why I’ll just have some recommendations in here which are not too challenging and all have one thing in common: They are good fun and worth your time (and money).</p><h3>1.) Yawara</h3><p>I’m a sucker for everything by Naoki Urasawa. he’s just the most brilliant contemporary mangaka. Pluto is a futuristic, philosophical masterpiece and his epic stories are yet to find a true challenge. The Yawara 完全版 (complete edition) was released at the beginning of 2014 end gets two new volumes every month. Only bought the <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/new-japanese-manga-arrived/">first two</a> for now but will probably buy some more with my next honto order. Yawara is a manga about Judo and a young girl who is forced by her strict grandfather to keep on practicing. Just because she is so good at it. I’m still at the very beginning but the manga has all the ingredients I like about Urasawa’s works in general. It’s mainly a comedy manga but always manages to be serious enough to introduce more mature themes without being off.</p><p>When I bought the first edition there was a DVD with some episodes of the anime attached. Unfortunately, this wasn’t for free and did cost 1000¥ on top.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-1585106" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Yawara 完全版</a></p><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-16" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4339" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-16" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4339" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-16.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-17" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4340" height="767" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-17" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4340" height="767" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-17.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="yawara complete edition" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4343" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="yawara complete edition" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4343" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-20.jpg" width="1200"><h3>2.) Hikaru no go</h3><p>If it wasn’t for Great Teacher Onizuka this would probably be my favorite Jump manga. Forget about Bakuman and its ridiculous love story, this is definitely the best work by Takeshi Obata and a manga classic that you should definitely give a try. The 12-year-old Hikaru discovers an old go table in their attic and when he touches it, the soul of a Go teacher from the Edo period appears. But only he is able to see him. What’s following is the story of how Hikaru wants to become the GOAT Go player. The drawings are fantastic and the story has a unique vibe that just sucks you in. When I received the manga I made a couple of pictures and wrote some more about the series. Give it a look, because the <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/hikaru-go-%E5%AE%8C%E5%85%A8%E7%89%88-looks-just-amazing/">Hikaru no go 完全版</a> really does look stunning.</p><p>The manga contains furigana and is relatively easy to understand. If you’re comfortable with Yotsuba you should give Hikaru a try. I found it the most approachable Jump Manga so far and story-wise it’s above everything I have read from Jump. Except GTO, of course.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-534075" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hikaru no Go 完全版</a></p><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4325" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4325" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-2.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-3" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4326" height="648" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-3" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4326" height="648" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-3.jpg" width="1200"><h3>3.) 聖☆おにいさん (Saint Oniisan)</h3><p>Jesus and Buddha are roommates in modern Tokyo while taking some time off on earth. Each chapter shows the two living their daily lives as tourists with frequent puns on each other’s religion. Awesome idea and for this worth buying alone. Just got the first two volumes and it’s something of a long time goal for me. One day I can read this comfortably in Japanese. At least I hope so. I understand bits and pieces but when the two boys are talking about philosophical stuff, my <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/how-i-learn-japanese-my-essentials/">Kanji reading ability</a> is not on my side. Still, worth a look, even if it’s something you’ll tackle later on.</p><p>I just had to include this title here, because it’s the most awesome idea for a manga I’ve come across in a long time. There is also an Anime out there but I haven’t watched it yet. If it’s any good, please let me know.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-50510" rel="noopener" target="_blank">聖☆おにいさん (Saint Oniisan)</a></p><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-21" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4344" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-21" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4344" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-21.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-22" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4345" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-22" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4345" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-22.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-24" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4347" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-24" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4347" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-24.jpg" width="1200"><h3>4.) 東京旅さんぽ (Tokyo Tabi Sanpo)</h3><p>Two girls are taking a trip to Tokyo because they can’t afford to go abroad. Each chapter takes place in a different area in Tokyo, with lots of realistic drawings and everyday story charm. If you’d like to discover Tokyo through manga, this is the one for you. There are only two books and I highly recommend buying both at once. After finishing the first one you’d be angry if you couldn’t continue reading immediately. Not because these two girls were especially funny or interesting. It’s all about the city – and Tokyo is awesome. Nuff’ said.</p><p>There are no furigana but with basic skills, it’s really doable. Everday stuff, nothing too fancy and actually quite good practice for your Japanese.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-1261801" rel="noopener" target="_blank">東京旅さんぽ (Tokyo Tabi Sanpo)</a></p><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-33" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4356" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-33" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4356" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-33.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-34" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4357" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-34" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4357" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-34.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-36" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4359" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-36" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4359" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-36.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-37" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4360" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-37" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4360" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-37.jpg" width="1200"><h3>5.) Nisekoi</h3><p>I discovered this one over at <a href="http://chringle.wordpress.com">chringle</a> and just thought I would give it a try. A boy from a gangster family is supposed to date a girl from a Yakuza family so that there will remain peace between the two families. Reads as ridiculous as it sounds. I read the first volume some time ago and even started with the Anime which recently began airing but suddenly lost interest while waiting for the next episode to arrive. Should really pick this one up again. It was actually the Yakuza element which got me interested in the title in the first place, unfortunately, it’s only a minor element, at least in the first chapters.</p><p>It’s a Jump manga, so it contains furigana but (like I wrote above) this is one of the more difficult ones and the partway yakuza setting doesn’t make it any more simple. But if you have a knack for these very Japanese love stories where the two lovers overthink everything and make a huge deal out of it, this is right up your alley.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-1225887" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Nisekoi</a></p><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-25" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4348" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-25" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4348" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-25.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-26" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4349" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-26" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4349" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-26.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-28" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4351" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-28" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4351" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-28.jpg" width="1200"><h3>6.) ハンツー x トラッシュ</h3><p>This is one for the boys, who are into water ball. The story is about a first-year high school student who has to decide on a school-club to join and because of his interests, he picks the water-ball club. Guess what his interests are. ハンツー x トラッシュ is actually much more decent then one would expect from the cover. The story is well written (with the essential dose of love story) and it’s highly entertaining (if you are into water ball – and girls).</p><p>It doesn’t contain furigana but is one the easy side. This one would actually one to recommend if you want to get rid of furigana and try yourself with an all Kanji manga for the first time. I’m currently reading the third volume. It’s the perfect stuff when you don’t want anything too difficult or complex in story. Just a very straightforward manga with the right amount of ecchi.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-1392638" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ハンツー x トラッシュ</a></p><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-29" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4352" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-29" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4352" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-29.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-30" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4353" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-30" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4353" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-30.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="leran to read japanese-32" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4355" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="leran to read japanese-32" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4355" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/leran-to-read-japanese-32.jpg" width="1200"><p>I’m probably done now with my easy to read manga recommendations. From now on I’ll have articles about Japanese manga again but probably not in the same manner.</p><p>More like, some recommendations with good stuff for you to read. The last one here was compiled with this in mind so there is some (hopefully) good stuff for everybody in it. At least I hope so.</p><p>We all knew it but I just had to do another entry in the series. <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-to-read-manga-for-japanese-beginners-vol-05/">Continue reading Vol.05</a>.</p></div>

Easy to read manga Vol. 04 – A mixed bag

When I started to read manga I was always looking for the ones which contain furigana to make picking up new vocab easier. On top of that, I...

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Guide: Where to buy Japanese Manga and Books

<div><p>If you’re living in Europe, it may seem difficult to buy Japanese manga and books. You don’t have any shops that sell the stuff you want and when they do, it’s so overpriced that you decide not to buy anything after all. But you really would love to do so because Japanese books and manga are just plain awesome.</p><p><strong>Want to order clothing and other goods from Japan?</strong>  – <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/ultimate-guide-buying-japan/">Check my guide</a> for more awesome resources for everything that is not printed on paper.</p><p>You’re still reading, which means that we’re on the same page here. We both love Japanese stuff and just need a valid source with reasonable prices to buy all the printed goodness we ever wanted. Here comes the ultimate solution:</p><h3>Cdjapan – English friendly with Japanese prices</h3><p>Many readers did complain that honto didn’t accept their credit cards (mainly problems with Visa) or just canceled their order. I recently discovered <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/8U21aEwn3lw/4756/A148868/?_xbid=CDJapan+General+Banner">cdjapan.co.jp</a> again, a very reliable shop for Japanese books, video games, CDs & DVDs. Their prices on books are exactly the same as on honto.jp and <strong>you don’t have to pay the Japanese taxes</strong> when shipping outside of Japan which is extra sweet. They also have a nice points system which rewards you for being a loyal customer. You can even <strong>pay with paypal </strong>for all the people who don’t own a credit card (or for me who loves it for the simplicity).</p><p>But what’s most important is that everything is in English, the shipping options are vast (including cheap SAL) and you can even add a Japanese video game or CD to your order. The only thing I always missed at honto, not being able to sneak in a game with my book order.</p><p><strong>Shipping to Europe, Germany takes around 2 weeks via SAL.</strong></p><p>I started using <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/8U21aEwn3lw/4756/A148868/?_xbid=CDJapan+General+Banner">cdjapan</a> again because you can check the shipping rates at checkout and sneak in a video game to your order. Another important factor is that magazines and limited edition manga (which contain some extra goods like Drama Cds or a Dvd) are sold out fast at honto.jp. In most cases, cdjapan still has some in stock.</p><p><strong>If you want to support Japanese Tease click on the button below or the links above. These are affiliate links and will earn the site a small percentage from your order. Thanks a lot for this, it really helps to support the site.</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/8U21aEwn3lw/4756/A148868/index.html?_xbid=logo234x60" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img alt="1_General CDJapan" border="0" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs="><img alt="1_General CDJapan" border="0" src="https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/banners/1_General/logo234x60.gif"></a></p><p><strong>13.05.2017 Update:</strong></p><p>Even more than three years after updating this article and nearly four years after writing it, CDjapan is still the way to go for ordering books and magazines from Japan. I’ve used them countless times over the years and was never disappointed. Because many readers asked this over Twitter, Mail and in the comments: Shipping to Germany takes around two weeks give or take using SAL. I’ve yet to get into trouble with customs but so far none of my orders was fished out and I’ve nearly always ordered well above the magical 100€ mark for books.</p><p>For my German readers (might be the same for all European readers): There is only 7% tax on printed matters and you only have to pay taxes after reaching a tax total of 5€ (give or take here as well) for your order. So – happy book shopping from Japan.</p><p><strong>07.03.2014 Update:</strong></p><p>I’ve ordered quite a lot of stuff from cdjapan over the past months. Be it the <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/yotsuba-calendar-2014/">よつばとcalendar</a> or my latest shipment with <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/ollie-mag-bape-2014-ss-emook-nail-venus/">some Japanese magazines</a>. The stuff was always perfectly wrapped and securely shipped. Shipping times with SAL were the same as with honto and even their service is on par. Here are two pictures how the stuff is packed by cdjapan. Manga get bundled (many 4/5) and then wrapped as a whole in bubble wrap.</p><p><img alt="nigo pharrell ollie magazine" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4246" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="nigo pharrell ollie magazine" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4246" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/nigo-pharrell-ollie-magazine.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="nigo pharrell ollie magazine-2" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4233" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="nigo pharrell ollie magazine-2" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4233" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/nigo-pharrell-ollie-magazine-2.jpg" width="1200"><h3>Honto.jp ships internationally as well</h3><p>With a little trick which I’ll explain in a jiffy. The good thing about honto is their vast selection in general and their option to <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/download-digital-manga-japanese/">download Japanese manga and books digitally</a>. Shipping costs which will be determined after! ordering. You can choose which shipping speed to use and you will get an Email with the total you’re charged when the package is ready for dispatch. I always use SAL which is best explained by the Japanese Post itself. It results in something like 2 weeks for the delivery from Japan to Germany and probably Europe in general. Until now, I made 9 orders in total and none came in later than 2 weeks after dispatch.</p><p>Concerning shipping costs. A rough estimate is: 4 volumes of よつばと！, or any other medium-sized manga, costs 1300¥. Not a bad deal, if you ask me. But don’t worry too much about shipping costs. Like I said, I already ordered a couple of books there. Mostly kinda big packages and for none, I was charged more than 3000¥. And one was a big order with several (heavy) fashion books for my girlfriend.</p><h3>How to signup for honto.jp?</h3><p>I thought about doing a guide myself but there is already <a href="http://kaizora.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/how-to-signup-for-honto/">a perfect one</a> out there which explains everything in great detail. It will make the registering process a breeze for you. You will need a Credit Card but that shouldn’t be a problem. If you don’t have one – get one. You can save a lot when ordering directly from Japanese shops, avoiding the middleman. But you will nearly always need a CC for this.</p><h3>What are these points for and how can I use them?</h3><p>Like nearly every Japanese store, honto.jp is offering a frequent customer model. Depending on the value of your purchase you get a certain amount of points (or 得点) when your order is shipped. Each point equals 1 ¥. You can decide to use your points when you check-out your order but this is well explained in the guide as well.</p><p><img alt="banner_tsukaitaoshi_m" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3286" height="130" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="520"></p><img alt="banner_tsukaitaoshi_m" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3286" height="130" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/banner_tsukaitaoshi_m.jpg" width="520"><p>Normally you’ll only get a few points for each book but honto is nearly always hosting a special event which will double your points or give you 1000 points for a 10,000¥ order. Each event is announced with a big banner on the starting page so you can’t miss it.</p><h3>Which manga and books should I pick up and how do I know how they look in reality?</h3><p>That’s a tough one. I love browsing through book-stores. It’s just great to check out which selection of books are on display, to check the paper and binding and everything that makes a good book so special. I tried to recreate the feeling with my small section of <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/category/books/">Japanese books</a> but I’ve been slacking the last few weeks. You sure know where to find some <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-to-read-manga-for-japanese-beginners-vol-01/">easy Japanese manga</a> and pictures of them but if you want to check out the more recent stuff (especially 少年) then head over to Reading Japanese Manga (defunct). A nice blog from a guy about his (frequent) manga orders.</p><p>Update: I made a nice searchable list with all manga titles I featured on this site. It’s conveniently called <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/manga-index/">Japanese Manga Index</a>.</p><p><a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/20130808-094714.jpg"><img alt="buy japanese manga" border="0" class="alignnone size-full" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs="><img alt="buy japanese manga" border="0" class="alignnone size-full" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/20130808-094714.jpg"></a></p><p>Sorry for the bad picture but it was the only one I was able to find. That’s how honto ships small orders. It doesn’t really look like it but the books are very well protected in there. Never experienced anything like this and I order a lot of stuff from abroad. I will do some proper pictures when my next order arrives.</p><p><strong>I hope my post was helpful to you. Please drop a line in the comments and let me know how it went with the signup. Don’t be shy and share what you put in your first order.</strong></p></div>

Guide: Where to buy Japanese Manga and Books

If you’re living in Europe, it may seem difficult to buy Japanese manga and books. You don’t have any shops that sell the stuff you want and...

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Easy to read manga for Japanese beginners

<div><p>I’ve been trying to learn Japanese for about one and a half years now. I had my ups and downs and even took a break from studying for a couple of months last year. It became just too frustrating and was more like an everyday burden than fun. But this all changed when I booked my flight to Toyko last October (2012). Now I had a good reason to start learning again and knew that even the slightest knowledge of the language would come in very handy on my visit in February 2013.</p><p>That was motivation enough to keep me studying on a daily basis. I even took some private Japanese classes but that wasn’t really that helpful. I soon realized that there is a reason why Japanese people sometimes say that they wouldn’t properly understand (grammatically!) their own language themselves.</p><p>And because Japanese people do love manga, they made a great comic out of it:<a href="https://shop.whiterabbitjapan.com/products/taking-japanese-for-granted-rediscovering-the-japanese-language?rfsn=27572.9913d">日本人の知らない日本語<img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2645704" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="0"><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_2645704" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=japateas-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=d4876ce1c54284a70952dccc62e7b19e&_cb=1439903893141" width="0"> </a>(Japanese people take Japanese for granted).</p><p>Many people obviously want to learn a new language for the primary reason to speak it in its specific country. That wasn’t quite the case for me when I started to learn Japanese. I always loved Japanese films and the Japanese culture itself but I wanted to be able to read Japanese books and maybe play a video game in Japanese.</p><p>That was the reason why I started in the first place. I already read some manga back then (only by Naoki Urasawa) but I was more into western comics. It was within the last year when I discovered my love for Japanese comics and naturally it became my goal to read manga in their original language: Japanese.</p><p>I once learned English through watching movies with (English) subtitles, so I thought “why shouldn’t the reading-route work with Japanese too.” On my trip to Tokyo, I bought a big bunch of books and manga. So many that my girlfriend complained that she couldn’t buy as much for herself as she wanted to because my books already were too heavy and maxed out our allowed weight.</p><p>I usually prefer more mature stories and thus mangaka like Naoki Urasawa, Osamu Tezuka, and Jiro Taniguchi. Unfortunately, the books by these authors lack “furigana” small Japanese figures which are placed above all Kanji and give the reading of it. This makes looking up an unknown word so much easier.</p><p>Especially when you’re still working on a basic vocabulary like me, these are existential. But now let’s talk about some good manga to begin with or easy to read manga for Japanese beginners.</p><p><strong>So here we go, my list of easy to read manga for Japanese beginners. (This is only part one, so you know what that could mean.)</strong></p><p>Regarding the links: (If you buy the books through my links, I’ll get a small referral fee which will be used to buy even more awesome books for review.) If you don’t know where and how to buy Japanese manga, visit my guide on <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/guide-where-to-buy-japanese-manga-and-books/"><strong>Where to buy Japanese manga</strong></a></p><p>If you’re in search of some <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/a-good-way-to-protect-your-manga-book-kun/">transparent book covers to wrap your manga</a>, just click on the link!</p><h2>1. よつばと！(Yotsuba!)</h2><p>The obvious choice and highly recommended when it comes to manga for Japanese beginners. A rather simple language and because of the setting of a young child experiencing everyday problems and everyday life, the vocabulary will be of great use for every beginner.</p><p><a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-1704910" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="yotsubato japanese manga for beginners" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2458" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"><img alt="yotsubato japanese manga for beginners" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2458" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0072.jpg" width="1200"></a></p><p>The stories are very popular in Japan are read by people of all ages and have a great fan base among the Japanese learning community as well. Have fun following Yotsuba discovering the world. Age Even if you are a 26-year-old youngster like me.</p><p>New volumes are appearing rarely, so you always have to wait a couple of years for a new tankobon (単行本) to be released. Volume 14 just hit the streets (April 2018) as I’m brushing up on this article a little.</p><p>It’s really fun to see that my top recommendations haven’t changed over the last years. Yotsuba& is still as fun and charming as ever. Just received the latest volume and am enjoying it outside on the balcony with a well-chilled glass of lemonade next to me.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-1704910">Yotsuba&</a></p><p>And if you’re like me you may want to order the English edition as well. That’s how I managed my way through Dragon Ball the first time around. And believe me between all the Japanese slang it’s great to read a good translation from time to time to make sure that you really follow the story.</p><p>Maybe you’ll only need it for the first volume which is actually the most difficult one of the whole collection (1-14) so far. It’s still a great read for every beginner and where to start if not with volume one, right.</p><p><img alt="yotsuba japanese volume 1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8642" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="yotsuba japanese volume 1" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8642" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3725.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8643" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8643" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3726.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="yotsuba japanese edition" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8644" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="yotsuba japanese edition" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8644" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3727.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8670" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8670" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3753.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0077" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2462" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0077" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2462" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0077.jpg" width="1200"><h2>2. ドラゴンボール 完全版 (Dragonball – The complete edition)</h2><p>I have never watched Dragonball as a kid and usually really don’t like all these Jump comics with endless fights and dramatic gestures. I tried One Piece, Bleach, and Naruto but it’s just not my cup of tea. So I always thought that Dragonball was more or less the same. Big mistake.</p><p><a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/db" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="simple japanese manga" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2469" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"><img alt="simple japanese manga" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2469" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0086.jpg" width="1200"></a></p><p>When I was in Tokyo I picked up the first volume of the manga at a Book Off. (A big Japanese store chain which sells used books, video games, CDs & DVDs.) I really liked the drawings and the kinda “mysterious” setting somewhere between sci-fi and mystery. And there is actually not that much fighting going on. At least not in the first two volumes.</p><p>I just started reading Dragonball last week and also bought the German version of the manga as a little helper when I’m stuck or not quite sure if I got the story right. So far it’s quite fun, not too difficult and a very nice read. Even for a Japanese beginner like me.</p><p>But what makes it extra great for us is the big format the “complete edition” or 完全版 is printed in. Glorious color pages at the beginning and a very clean print throughout the book on good paper.</p><p>Just tried to read some Hunter x Hunter which is printed in the usual super small format all Jump manga are done in and was really struggling to read some of the Furigana. Dragonball spoiled me.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-12853" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ドラゴンボール 01 完全版</a></p><p>Side note: I recently bought a “new” version of Dragon Ball which tells the whole story again but very much boils the whole epic story down to just a couple of volumes. The drawings are in Chibi style, the manga is in full color and the Japanese is quite simple (easier than the original). It’s called <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/closer-look-dragon-ball-sd-manga/">Dragon Ball SD</a> and is a great one to pick up as well.</p><p>The first fifty or so pages of the manga are in glorious color.</p><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8650" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8650" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3733.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8651" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8651" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3734.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="dragonball complete edition japanese" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8652" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="dragonball complete edition japanese" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8652" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3735.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="dragonball complete edition japanese" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8667" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="dragonball complete edition japanese" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8667" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3750.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="dragonball complete edition japanese" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2484" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="dragonball complete edition japanese" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2484" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_00871.jpg" width="1200"><h2>3. しろくまカフェ (Shirokuma Café)</h2><p>I watched the anime together with my girlfriend and we quite enjoyed it. Or maybe we just really wanted to like it because honestly, it’s a little dull. The story is about a lazy Panda who is a regular customer at an organic food & drinks joint which is operated by an Ice Bear. Sounds like fun right?</p><p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0079" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2464" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0079" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2464" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0079.jpg" width="1200"><p>Shirokuma-kun even tries to explain very alike sounding Japanese words to the Panda which is not exactly a bad thing for us Japanese beginners. The manga is printed in the same big format as the Dragonball complete edition and is thus very comfortable to read. And if I should pick a manga in Japanese, to begin with, it would probably be this one.</p><p>The stories are short, the vocabulary is quite easy and slang is nearly nonexistent. There are a total of four volumes which look really nice together on the bookshelf. Each is named after a different fruit-flavor. Nice idea, I like that and now you even have another reason to pick up these books.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-52440" rel="noopener" target="_blank">しろくまカフェ (Shirokuma Café)</a></p><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8646" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8646" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3729.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8647" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8647" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3730.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="shirokuma cafe japanese" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8648" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="shirokuma cafe japanese" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8648" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3731.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0080" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2465" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0080" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2465" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0080.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0085" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2468" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0085" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2468" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0085.jpg" width="1200"><h2>4. チーズスイートホーム (Chi’s Sweet Home)</h2><p>This is another one of these mangas with short & cute stories. A little bit like Shirokuma Café. Like I already mentioned I’m usually not into these kinds of comics, but the stories about a little cat exploring a new home are really cute. And it really hurts me to describe something as cute but there is no way around this word when you want to describe Chi’s Sweet Home.</p><p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0075" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2460" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0075" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2460" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0075.jpg" width="1200"><p>It’s a super sweet story about a little kitten even your mother would like. Good for us: The vocab and story are really easy to grasp. The pictures are nearly always self-explanatory and hands down there is not that much going on story-wise.</p><p>But for everyone who is just starting to read something in Japanese, this is a good one, to begin with. Trust me you don’t want to start with something overly complicated. It’s just too frustrating and when you begin reading Japanese it should be a rewarding experience.</p><p>Buy the manga: <a href="http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/aff/click.cgi/PytJTGW7Lok/4756/A148868/product%2FNEOBK-21465" rel="noopener" target="_blank">チーズスイートホーム</a></p><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8653" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8653" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3736.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8655" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8655" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3738.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="chis sweet home japanese color edition" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8656" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="chis sweet home japanese color edition" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8656" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSCF3739.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0076" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2461" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0076" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2461" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0076.jpg" width="1200"><p>For me, it’s very important that I don’t have to read those super tiny fonts especially when the text is written in Japanese. And it really doesn’t make sense to print manga in these super tiny formats which Jump normally uses when it’s actually all about the pictures.</p><p>To give you a hint how these manga compare in size I made another picture for you. Hope this helps. The smallest Yotsubato and Chi’s Sweet Home are “one size” bigger than the average Jump manga and quite comfortable to read. So you don’t have to worry about these.</p><p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0089" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2472" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0089" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2472" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0089.jpg" width="1200"><p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0090" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2473" height="800" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=" width="1200"></p><img alt="20130510-DSC_0090" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2473" height="800" src="https://www.japanesetease.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/20130510-DSC_0090.jpg" width="1200"><p><strong>I hope you like the post. Please drop me a line in the comments and if you’re kind enough I’ll soon post the second part with even more awesome and easy to read manga for Japanese beginners.</strong></p><p>Update: <strong>You were kind enough and that’s why I made a couple more posts with easy to read manga goodness in Japanese.</strong></p><p>Continue reading:</p><p><a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-to-read-manga-for-japanese-beginners-vol-02/">Vol. 02</a>, <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-to-read-manga-for-japanese-beginners-vol-03-without-furigana/">Vol. 03</a>, <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-read-manga-vol-04-mixed-bag/">Vol. 04</a>, <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/easy-to-read-manga-for-japanese-beginners-vol-05/">Vol 05</a></p><p>Maybe you’re still looking for some good ways to learn Japanese or improve your grammar and speaking/listening skills. Check out my post about<a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/how-i-learn-japanese-my-essentials/"> how I’m learning Japanese</a> and what Amélie has written about playful ways to <a href="https://www.japanesetease.net/playful-ways-learn-japanese/">get more immersed</a> in the language.</p><p><strong>Thanks a lot for all your constant support and kind words. Let’s read some great manga together! If you have any manga tips for beginners please share them in the comments.<br> </strong></p></div>

Easy to read manga for Japanese beginners

I’ve been trying to learn Japanese for about one and a half years now. I had my ups and downs and even took a break from studying for a coup...

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