Forms of Manga, meaning “Whimsical Pictures” in Japanese, can be found in scrolls dating as far back as the 12th century. Thought to be the first ever manga, these scrolls feature drawings of frogs and rabbits titled Choju-giga (“Scrolls of Frolicking Animals”). The art style blew up in the centuries that followed - specifically the late 18th century, when the term ‘manga’ first came into common usage.

Today, it’s so popular that more paper is used in Japan to print manga than toilet paper. So, if you’re ever caught with your pants down with nothing to wipe with, be grateful for the reading material. All genres are represented across manga, although Sci-Fi is by far the most popular. That being said, there’s even a manga version of Hitler’s Mein Kampf.