Manhwa, the South Korean version of Manga, has grown steadily in the last decade or less. More and more Korean Manhwa are being adapted into anime shows.
The latest being Solo Levelling, but we had some during the pandemic as well.
By comparison, Manga has obviously been around forever. So understandably, there is no need to point out Manga’s popularity since it’s obvious and expected.
Even in spite of massive shows like One Piece, Demon Slayer, and so on.
Which one is more popular in 2024? Manga or Manhwa?
Let’s run the numbers and get to it.
Manga vs Manhwa trends (YouTube):
1. Last 12 months between manga and manhwa (YouTube)
Speaking of YOUTUBE specifically, you can see that manga has dominated between the two topics.
Manhwa’s red graph isn’t terrible, but by comparison, it’s clear which one has the most popularity between the two in the last 12 months (2023-2024).
Manhwa’s red line has been more stable though, with Manga’s blue line dipping slightly at certain points.
2. Last 5 years manga vs manhwa (YouTube)
When using the graph to compare the last 5 years, it becomes clear which one is more popular on YouTube.
Manhwa has only gained traction in the last 5 yeas to be fair, so dialling it back this far or even further serves no real purpose.
You can see Manhwa has been rising steadily in the last few years, especially since 2021. Manga has sharp rises and subtle drops by comparison, but still more “trendy”.
3. Last 90 days 2024 (YouTube)
When comparing via YouTube for the past 90 days, we can see that MANHWA is higher on the graph compared to earlier. But not enough for it to be even half of what Manga is as far as popularity.
Still, it does show that Manhwa has been steadily growing in 2024 since the gap between both in this context is smaller.
4. Last 30 days 2024 (YouTube)
And when comparing manga vs manhwa in the past 30 days, the red bar which is Manhwa is even better than in the last 90 days. Making it that much closer to manga, but of course, still not enough to be even half of the blue graph.
Manga has been around for a very long time and most people think of it as opposed to manhwa, which is more niche and known by a select amount of fans by comparison.
This is reflective of the YouTube comparison graph, and as you’ll see, it reflects elsewhere outside of YouTube.
Manga vs Manhwa trends via Google:
5. Manga Vs Manhwa in the last 12 months
When comparing manga vs Manhwa in the last 12 months via GOOGLE, you can see the gap is the same as before with YouTube.
Nothing more to see here except the fact manga’s dominance goes without saying.
6. Manga Vs Manhwa in the last 5 years
When comparing the last 5 years via Google search, manga dominates to an extreme degree.
Manhwa, on the other hand, has steadily grown but by comparison, it will never reach manga without a miracle taking place.
It would take people adopting manhwa over manga, and that just won’t happen.
Manga Vs Manhwa in the last 90 days
In the last 90 days like before when comparing it via YouTube, on Google we can see Manhwa fairs better when using recent metrics.
But still, not enough to topple manga or even be on the same footing.
Both trend graphs have been stable and steady.
Manga Vs Manhwa in the last 30 days (trends)
In the last 30 days, by comparison, Manhwa has a stronger footing yet again just as when we compared it via trends on YouTube. But again, the bar is not high enough or significant enough to have a conversation with manga.
Also, when comparing via Google instead of YouTube, the Manhwa graph is smaller in the last 30 days, making it less likely to ever reach the heights of manga by popularity.
The difference between Manga Vs Manhwa by regions (2024):
As we can see straight away, manga is more popular in almost all countries.
The blue colours on the map reflect manga, whereas red reflects Manhwa, and you can’t really see any red patches on the map at all.
In fact Manhwa’s presence on the world map may as well not even exist (unless you zoom in deeply).
Why is Manga so unfairly popular compared to Manhwa overall?
The reasons I’d say:
- Manga has been around for so many decades, solidifying its position.
- Manga is the gold standard.
- Manga is what people associate with anime and vice versa.
- Manhwa by comparison is seen as NICHE.
- Not everyone knows about Manhwa, even anime or manga fans.
- The art style is different from Manhwa.
- It’s not as mainstream as anime or manga.
- Less manhwa are adapted into anime by comparison to manga.
- Manga had an early head start which is an understatement.
- Fans like familiarity, which anime and manga bring, as opposed to manhwa or other forms of “foreign” anime.
- The quality may or may not be up to scratch by comparison.
I laughed a few years ago when the likes of CBR and others claimed webtoons would overtake anime or manga. I laughed so much I had to address it.
Years after that we can see that webtoons have failed miserably to accomplish that goal, no surprise to anyone who is part of the culture rather than “just” reporting on it like CBR, Comicbook, Screerant, Sportskeeda, and others who are spectating.
The same is true for Manhwa, which is published by Webtoons. It simply has no chance because of the way it is.
Inherently, it’s “Korean manga”. That makes it a sub niche of manga right off the bat. A sub niche could never be more famous and successful than the niche it comes from.
That’s not how it works.
If South Korea, or any other country created something else entirely (a new form of animated entertainment) which set new trends and changed people’s perception, then yes, that could surpass or overtake manga or anime.
But that’s an innovation, which is less likely. Anything similar will always be treated as that, and no amount of success will change those facts.
SOURCE:
Manga Vs Manhwa Google search trends
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