Japanese comics are called manga (漫画), first coined in 1798. Composed of two kanji, it can be literally translated as “whimsical or impromptu” for 漫 (man), and “pictures” for 画 (ga).
Equivalent to manga, manhwa is Korean comics, while manhua is Chinese; all three, manga, manhwa, and manhua have the same etymology, meaning “impromptu or whimsical sketches.”
Explore their origins, definitions, and differences here.