Lucy Burroughs answered
There’s actually a really simple explanation for this! In Japan – where manga originates – they read from right to left. Even though they’re translated into English (or any other language), the books are still meant to be read right-to-left so that they remain authentic.
Manga is read right-to-left for the same reason that poetry is written in verse: It’s just a characteristic of the form! Some manga artists aren’t happy with their work being “flipped” so that they would be read from left to right, so the books are kept how they are.
It’s not a problem, though – getting used to reading “back to front” doesn’t take long at all. In fact, after reading manga for a while, you’ll probably find yourself picking up a normal book and trying to read it backwards! I did this once, and accidentally read the end of the novel before I’d started it. The story was ruined because I knew how it ended, so try not to do this if you can help it!
Manga is read right-to-left for the same reason that poetry is written in verse: It’s just a characteristic of the form! Some manga artists aren’t happy with their work being “flipped” so that they would be read from left to right, so the books are kept how they are.
It’s not a problem, though – getting used to reading “back to front” doesn’t take long at all. In fact, after reading manga for a while, you’ll probably find yourself picking up a normal book and trying to read it backwards! I did this once, and accidentally read the end of the novel before I’d started it. The story was ruined because I knew how it ended, so try not to do this if you can help it!
