What is teen manhua? Complete Story
Ever wonder what that colorful comic book your teen is reading actually is? Chances are, it’s teen manhua. Manhua are Chinese comics aimed at teens and young adults that feature stories set in modern-day China. They cover all kinds of genres from action-adventure and fantasy to slice-of-life and romance. The art style is colorful, fun, and highly stylized. If you peek into one, you’ll find stories of high school life, developing friendships and relationships, and characters grappling with issues around identity and purpose. Teen manhua have become hugely popular in China and are gaining more readers worldwide thanks to fan translations and official licensed releases. They offer a glimpse into Chinese youth culture and what life as a teen in China is really like. So next time you spot your teen reading one, ask them about it – you might just get hooked on these fun, addictive stories yourself!
What Is Teen Manhua?
Teen manhua refers to Chinese comics specifically targeted towards teenage readers. Manhua is similar to Japanese manga and Korean manhwa, but it has its own distinct style and storytelling techniques. Teen manhua often covers a wide range of genres, including romance, fantasy, action, and slice-of-life stories.
What exactly is teen manhua?
Teen manhua are Chinese graphic novels aimed at readers around 13 to 19 years old. They feature youthful characters and themes relevant to teens like friendship, dating, and school life. The art style is colorful and whimsical, appealing to younger readers.
Teen manhua first became popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan in the 1970s. Today, teen manhua is a major part of Chinese youth culture, with many titles adapted into live-action TV shows, movies, and video games. Some well-known teen manhua series are Meteor Garden, Hana Yori Dango, and Boys Over Flowers.
The genres and themes of teen manhua
- Romance: Popular titles like My Amazing Boyfriend and A Love So Beautiful depict lighthearted high school romances.
- Fantasy: Works such as Feng Qi Yu Xiu and The King’s Avatar blend modern-day school settings with fantasy elements like magic, mythology or virtual reality gaming.
- Slice-of-life: Comics like Please Take Care of Me in This Life as Well follow groups of friends navigating relationships and personal issues in everyday life.
- Action/adventure: A few teen manhua like Soul Land and Battle Through the Heavens chronicle the exciting journeys of young heroes in fantasy worlds.
Teen manhua offers an fun escape and shares relatable stories of youth, love and friendship. No wonder these Chinese graphic novels have captured the hearts of teens and young adults around the world.
History and Origins of Teen Manhua
Manhua aimed at teens has been popular in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong for decades. These comics typically feature school life, relationships and coming-of-age stories that resonate with youth.
Early Origins
The origins of teen manhua can be traced back to the 1920s. Some of the first featured rebellious students fighting against unjust school rules and oppression. These stories highlighted the challenges of adolescence and the desire for freedom and independence – themes that still persist in teen manhua today.
In the 1950s, Hong Kong’s manhua industry grew rapidly. Many new teen comics emerged, focusing on the lives and romances of ordinary high school students. These slice-of-life stories, set in familiar settings, allowed teens to see reflections of their own experiences.
Modern Hits
Some of the most well-known modern teen manhua are set in high school. They follow groups of friends as they navigate relationships, peer pressure, and the ups and downs of adolescence.
- Meteor Garden (流星花園) follows a group of students at an elite high school. It has been adapted into several popular TV dramas.
- Hana Yori Dango (花より男子) is about a working-class girl who wins the affection of the leader of a group of wealthy students known as the F4. It has also inspired many TV and film adaptations across Asia.
- Marmalade Boy (ママレディ・ボーイ) chronicles the romantic lives of a group of high school friends. It was one of the best-selling shojo manhua of the 1990s.
Teen manhua has endured for generations because it continues to capture the essence of youth in a changing world. No matter the era, the drama, dreams, and delights of high school remain timeless.
Popular Teen Manhua Genres
Teen manhua, or comics targeted at teenagers, feature several popular genres. Two of the biggest are shôjo and shonen.
Shôjo Manhua
Shôjo manhua, aimed at teen girls, focuses heavily on romance and relationships. Storylines often center around a shy heroine who finds love with a charming hero. Art styles emphasize flowery backgrounds, sparkly eyes, and cute outfits. Popular shôjo manhua include Meteor Prince and My Amazing Boyfriend.
Shonen Manhua
Shonen manhua is all about action, adventure and comedy targeted at teen boys. These fast-paced stories feature energetic male protagonists who go on exciting quests, battle powerful villains, and crack lots of jokes along the way. Artwork spotlights dynamic fight scenes, futuristic technology and amusing facial expressions. Some of the most well-known shonen manhua are Soul Land, One Punch Man and The King’s Avatar.
A few other teen manhua genres to explore include:
- Wuxia – Set in ancient China, featuring martial arts and supernatural elements.
- Xianxia – Blends Chinese mythology, Taoism and martial arts in a fantasy world.
- Donghua – The animated version of manhua, popular as films, TV shows and web series.
Teen manhua offers relatable stories and characters for adolescents to connect with during their formative years. While rooted in Chinese culture, the themes of friendship, adventure, love and heroism transcend borders and resonate with youth around the globe. There is a teen manhua genre for every reader to enjoy.
Where to Read Teen Manhua Online
If you want to read teen manhua for free, there are several websites where you can find a huge selection online.
Teenmanhua.com
Teenmanhua.com is a website dedicated specifically to teen manhua. They offer manhua in genres like romance, comedy, drama and more. Reading the manhua on their site is completely free. They frequently update with the latest chapters of popular teen manhua. The site is also mobile-friendly so you can read your favorite manhua on the go.
Mangakakalot
Mangakakalot is another popular site for reading manhua, manga and manhwa. They have a large collection of teen manhua like A-Teen, The Makeup Remover and Who Made Me a Princess. The content on Mangakakalot is also free to read and they are frequently adding new series. They offer full-color manhua with professional English translations. Mangakakalot is easy to navigate and has an intuitive interface whether you’re on mobile or desktop.
MANHWATOP
MANHWATOP specializes in manhwa and manhua from Korea and China. They feature a wide selection of genres including romance, fantasy, comedy, drama and more. All of the content on MANHWATOP is free to read with full English translations. They provide high resolution, full-color manhua and an ad-free reading experience. MANHWATOP makes it easy to find popular teen manhua like 19 Days, Spirit Fingers and My Amazing Wechat. They also allow you to follow your favorite series to get updates on the latest chapters.
With so many great sites available, you’ll never run out of teen manhua to enjoy. Happy reading!
Top 5 Teen Manhua Recommendations
The Maid and the Vampire is a popular teen manhua that follows a human maid named Yu-Ran. She gets a job working for the vampire prince Kyle. At first, the two do not get along, but they eventually develop feelings for each other. This is a cute fantasy romance series with drama, humor and supernatural elements.
Siren’s Lament is another recommended teen manhua. It centers around Lyra, a siren princess who has the power of mind control and manipulation through her singing. However, Lyra falls in love with a human and gives up her voice to be with him. This series blends fantasy, mythology, romance and drama. It has engaging characters and an interesting plot with many twists.
SubZero is also a top teen manhua recommendation. It takes place in a world where some people have superpowers and follows Clove, a girl with the ability to generate and manipulate ice. She attends a school for students with special abilities where she makes friends and goes on adventures. This action-packed series with sci-fi and fantasy elements is fast-paced and full of suspense.
Some other notable teen manhua titles include:
UnOrdinary – Follows a powerless boy in a world of superpowers. Deals with themes of bullying, society and friendship.
True Beauty – A romantic comedy about a girl who gains confidence after mastering makeup skills. Explores self-esteem, relationships and identity.
Gosu – Set in a Murim world of martial arts clans and focuses on a powerful warrior seeking revenge. Full of action, adventure, comedy and drama.
Manhua offers relatable stories with engaging art styles for teens and young adults. There are many titles spanning various genres like fantasy, romance, action, sci-fi and more. Start with any of the recommendations here and you’ll be hooked on these visual stories in no time!
Conclusion
So there you have it, the basics about teen manhua and why this genre of comics has become so popular. Whether you’re already a fan diving deeper into the artform or a newbie just discovering these fun and whimsical stories, teen manhua has something for everyone. The relatable characters, humor, romance, and adventures provide an escape from the everyday. Though the books are created on the other side of the world, the themes of growing up and finding your place in the universe are universal. Now that you know all about the world of teen manhua, you can confidently pick up one of the many volumes and immerse yourself in imaginative tales of school life, friendships, and coming of age in China. Start with some of the classics like Meteor Prince or Hot-Blooded Woman, or jump straight into one of the hot new series. The vibrant art and stories are waiting for you. Happy reading!
