Reading order guide
How to Read Manga: Right-to-Left Panel and Bubble Order
By the Panelo team · Updated
Quick answer
Manga is read right to left. Open the book from what Western readers call the back, start with the top-right panel, read across the row from right to left, then drop to the next row. Balloons inside a panel are read right to left and top to bottom too.
Why manga reads right to left
Japanese is traditionally written in vertical columns that run top to bottom and go from right to left across the page, so Japanese books open on the right. Manga pages, panels and balloons follow the same direction. Since the early 2000s most English editions keep the original order ("unflipped") instead of mirroring the art, and print a "you're reading the wrong way" page at the Western front.
Panel order on a page
- Read the top row first, from the rightmost panel to the left.
- A tall panel that spans two rows on the right is read before the panels to its left.
- If a panel is split by a vertical gutter, finish the right side column before moving left.
Balloon order inside a panel
Start with the balloon nearest the top right and move left and down. In Japanese, the text inside the balloon is vertical, which is why manga balloons are tall ovals. Sound effects drawn in the art are part of the picture, not the reading order.
Which way do other comics read?
| Comic | Origin | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Manga | Japan | Right to left, top to bottom |
| Manhwa (print) | Korea | Left to right |
| Manhwa / webtoon (digital) | Korea and worldwide | Top to bottom, one vertical scroll |
| Manhua | China, Hong Kong, Taiwan | Mostly left to right; many are also vertical webtoons |
| Western comics and BD | US, Europe | Left to right, top to bottom |
| Yonkoma (4-koma) | Japan | Four panels top to bottom, columns right to left |
Making manga that reads correctly
When you make a manga, mirror your instincts: put the first balloon at the top right and lead the eye to the bottom left, where the page turns. The Panelo manga maker lays out panels and places balloons in right-to-left order automatically. More in how to make a manga.
Frequently asked questions
Do you read manga from right to left?
Yes. Pages, panels and speech balloons all go right to left and top to bottom.
Where do I start reading a manga book?
At what looks like the back cover to a Western reader. The first page is on the right.
Is manhwa read right to left?
No. Printed manhwa is read left to right, and digital manhwa is a vertical scroll read top to bottom.
Why do English manga not flip the pages?
Flipping mirrors the art, which changes the artist's composition and makes text on signs backwards. Since the early 2000s publishers have mostly kept the original right-to-left order.
How do you read a 4-koma manga?
Read the four panels top to bottom. When a page has two strips side by side, read the right-hand strip first.
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