<P> The history of manga is said to originate from scrolls dating back to the 12th century , and it is believed they represent the basis for the right - to - left reading style . The word first came into common usage in the late 18th century . Manga is a Japanese term that can be translated as `` comic '' ; Historians and writers on manga history have described two broad and complementary processes shaping modern manga . Their views differ in the relative importance they attribute to the role of cultural and historical events following World War II versus the role of pre-war , Meiji , and pre-Meiji Japanese culture and art . </P>
what was the first form of manga in japan
scrolls dating back to the 12th century