Editions

Manga typically serializes in weekly or monthly manga magazines. The individual chapters of a series may later be compiled into volumes.

A series may be release in one or more compilations. These compilations typically have the following properties:

単行本【たんこうぼん】 (Standalone Edition)

• Size: They are often around the size of a standard paperback book.
• Content: The chapters usually appear in black and white, including pages originally serialized in color.
• Quality: The paper quality is often higher than the initial magazine publication.
• Release: They are released periodically, depending on how quickly the chapters are serialized.

新装版【しんそうばん】 (Deluxe Edition)

• New Cover Art: They often come with updated cover illustrations.
• Improved Paper Quality: The paper quality is usually higher than the original 単行本.
• Content Edits: Some pages may have cleaned up artwork or dialogue.
• Bonus Content: There might be additional content such as bonus chapters, author's notes, or interviews.
• Reformatting: Sometimes, the number of volumes is reduced by including more chapters in each volume compared to the original release.

愛蔵版【あいぞうばん】 (Collector's Edition)

• New Cover Art: The cover art is usually specially designed, often with more elegant or sophisticated artwork.
• High-Quality Materials: They are often printed on high-quality paper with durable binding.
• Larger Format: Similar to the 完全版, volumes are usually larger in size.
• Hardcover or Special Binding: May come in hardcover or have a unique, visually appealing binding.
• Bonus Content: Often includes extras such as color pages, special illustrations, interviews, or bonus chapters.
• Limited Edition: Often limited in availability.

完全版【かんぜんばん】 (Complete Edition)

• New Cover Art: They often come with updated cover illustrations.
• Larger Format: They are usually published in a larger size than the standard 単行本.
• Higher Paper and Print Quality: These editions often use superior paper quality and print.
• Color Pages: May include originally serialized color pages that were only in black and white in the 単行本 release.
• Fewer Volumes: Typically compiles more chapters per volume, so the total number of volumes is often fewer than in the original 単行本 release.
• Bonus Material: These editions may include extras such as interviews with the author, bonus illustrations, or even newly drawn content.

復刻版【ふっこくばん】 (Reprint Edition)

Revives older, often out-of-print manga, reproducing the original publication with the original artwork and cover design.

同人版【どうじんばん】

Created and published independently by individuals or small groups, typically outside the commercial publishing industry. Commonly produced by amateur or professional artists for limited distribution, usually at events like Comiket or through online platforms.

合本版【がっぽんばん】 (Omnibus Edition)

• Multiple Volumes in One: Typically combines several 単行本 volumes (often 2 to 3, but sometimes more) into one book, offering a larger, more condensed format.
• Thicker Book: Since it contains multiple volumes, it is much thicker than a regular 単行本.
• Cost-Effective: These editions are often more affordable than buying the individual 新装版 volumes separately.
• Minimal Additional Content: Unlike 新装版 or 完全版, it may not include new cover art, bonus material, or significant upgrades in paper quality.