Light Novel vs. Manga vs. Manhwa: A 90-Second Glossary for New Readers
1-Sentence Definitions
Light novel — A short, prose novel (often 150–300 pages) with occasional manga-style illustrations, released in volumes and aimed at teens/young adults.
Manga — Japanese comics printed right-to-left (or in digital readers that keep that order), serialized in chapters and collected in tankōbon volumes.
Manhwa — Korean webcomics designed for vertical scrolling on phones (full color), published in weekly “episodes” and often grouped into “seasons.”
Where to Read (Official)
Light novels: BookWalker Global, Kindle/print (Yen Press, Seven Seas, J-Novel Club), local bookshops.
Manga: Shonen Jump app, MANGA Plus (Shueisha), K MANGA (Kodansha), Kindle/print, local comics retailers.
Manhwa: WEBTOON, Kakao Webtoon/KakaoPage, Tappytoon, Tapas, Lezhin.
Availability varies by region; always prefer official platforms to support creators.
Typical Length and Structure
Light novels: 40k–70k words (≈150–300 pages) per volume; black-and-white spot illustrations; multi-volume arcs.
Manga: 18–22 pages per weekly chapter (or longer for monthly); 8–12 chapters per volume (≈160–220 pages).
Manhwa: 40–100+ panels per episode; color; seasons commonly run 50–100 episodes before a hiatus.
How You Read It (Format and Flow)
Light novels: Prose paragraphs + occasional art; traditional page-turn reading.
Manga: Right-to-left panels and speech bubbles; black-and-white line art; page turns used for cliffhangers.
Manhwa: Vertical scroll on mobile; color art; long gutters and motion lines create “cinematic” timing.
Adaptation Path (Common Routes)
Light novel → manga → anime / live action.
Manga → anime/film/live action.
Manhwa → K-drama/live action/animation (Korean and increasingly Japanese).
Plenty of series jump steps or run formats in parallel.
What Beginners Usually Ask
Is manhwa just Korean manga?
Not exactly. Manhwa is built for vertical, color, mobile reading with a different pacing grammar, while manga is page-based, black-and-white, and right-to-left.
Why are “light” novels called that?
“Light” refers to readability and length, not depth — shorter volumes, brisk style, and illustrations that welcome newer readers.
Can the same story exist in all three?
Yes. A hit light novel often gets a manga version; successful manga/manhwa may get prose spinoffs. Each medium adds or trims material to fit its strengths.
Quick Buying/Reading Tips
Try before you buy: Many official apps offer free chapters/episodes.
Mind the reading order: Manga is right-to-left; digital readers usually preserve this.
Support officially: It funds translators, editors, and creators — and keeps series in print.
Pick your entry point: Prefer prose? Start with the light novel. Love visuals and page turns? Go manga. Want color and phone-friendly reading? Choose manhwa.
3-Row Comparison Table
| Format | How it reads | Typical length | Where to read (official) | Usual adaptation path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light novel | Prose + spot illustrations; page turns | 150–300 pages per volume | BookWalker, Kindle/print (Yen Press, J-Novel Club, Seven Seas) | Light novel → manga → anime/live action |
| Manga | Right-to-left panels & bubbles; B/W art | 18–22 pp per chapter; 8–12 ch per volume | Shonen Jump, MANGA Plus, K MANGA, Kindle/print | Manga → anime/film/live action |
| Manhwa | Vertical scroll; full color | 40–100+ panels per episode; seasonal | WEBTOON, Kakao Webtoon, Tappytoon, Tapas, Lezhin | Manhwa → K-drama/live action/animation |