Manga reading time is something every fan has thought about, especially when embarking on a new series. With countless titles ranging from short, captivating stories to epic sagas spanning hundreds of chapters, one question looms large: How long does it actually take to read a manga series?
Unlike traditional books, where many websites offer estimated reading times, there’s surprisingly little data available for manga. That’s why I decided to do some research and math to uncover the average reading time for various manga series. This guide will give you a clear idea of how much time you might need to invest in your next manga adventure.
The Research Process: How Long to Read a Manga Series?
To estimate reading times, I selected a mix of popular and lesser-known manga series. The only requirement was that the series had to be completed—this excluded long-running giants like One Piece and Golgo 13. Instead, I focused on series such as Tokyo Ghoul (Buy Tokyo Ghoul), Bleach (Buy Bleach), Naruto (Buy Naruto), Demon Slayer (Buy Demon Slayer), Slam Dunk( Buy Slam Dunk), and Fullmetal Alchemist (Buy Fullmetal Alchemist). I also included some less famous titles to introduce readers to hidden gems like The Bad Boys, The Kindaichi Case Files, and Kochikame: Tokyo Beat Cops.
So, if you’re considering a marathon reading session from the first chapter to the last, this guide will help you estimate how much of your time it will consume and whether the journey is worth the investment.
Understanding Manga Reading Time: The Numbers Behind the Pages
Calculating Average Chapter Reading Time
To begin, I needed to determine the average time it takes to read a chapter of manga. As Shonen Jump is one of the largest manga publishers globally, and its stories are among the most popular, I used it as a benchmark. Most Shonen Jump chapters contain around 20 pages, and through further research, I found that reading a 20-page chapter typically takes between 5 to 10 minutes. I settled on an average reading time of 8 minutes per chapter.
Breaking It Down: Pages Per Minute
Next, I broke this down further to figure out the average time to read a single page. By dividing the 8 minutes by the 20 pages, I determined that it takes approximately 0.4 minutes—or 24 seconds—to read one page.
However, not all manga are created equal. Series published monthly, for example, often have more pages per chapter compared to weekly manga. A good example is Attack on Titan (Buy Attack on Titan), which averages 49 pages per chapter, whereas a weekly series like Bleach averages around 26 pages per chapter.
Determining the Average Pages Per Chapter
For each series, I randomly picked ten chapters and added up their page numbers, then divided by ten to get an average number of pages per chapter for that series. This approach acknowledges that not all manga are created equally; some mangaka are masters at delivering us more pages to read. Understanding these variations is crucial, as it directly impacts the total reading time.
Mathematical Equation for Calculating Reading Time
To make the calculations clearer, here is the equation I used to work out the length of time it takes to read a manga series. This equation factors in the number of chapters, average pages per chapter, and the average time taken to read each page.
Estimating Total Reading Time for Popular Manga Series
Using the average reading time per page, I calculated the total reading time for several manga series. Below are a few examples:
- Tokyo Ghoul (Buy Tokyo Ghoul)
- Chapters: 143
- Average Pages per Chapter: 20
- Total Pages: 2,860
- Total Reading Time: 2,860 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 1,144 minutes (~19 hours)
- Demon Slayer (Buy Demon Slayer)
- Chapters: 205
- Average Pages per Chapter: 20
- Total Pages: 4,100
- Total Reading Time: 4,100 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 1,640 minutes (~27 hours)
- Fullmetal Alchemist (Buy Fullmetal Alchemist)
- Chapters: 108
- Average Pages per Chapter: 22
- Total Pages: 2,376
- Total Reading Time: 2,376 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 950.4 minutes (~16 hours)
- Attack on Titan (Buy Attack on Titan)
- Chapters: 139
- Average Pages per Chapter: 49
- Total Pages: 6,811
- Total Reading Time: 6,811 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 2,724.4 minutes (~45 hours)
- My Hero Academia (Buy My Hero Academia)
- Chapters: 346
- Average Pages per Chapter: 17
- Total Pages: 5,882
- Total Reading Time: 5,882 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 2,352.8 minutes (~39 hours)
- Naruto (Buy Naruto)
- Chapters: 700
- Average Pages per Chapter: 20
- Total Pages: 14,000
- Total Reading Time: 14,000 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 9,333 minutes (~155 hours)
- Bleach (Buy Bleach)
- Chapters: 686
- Average Pages per Chapter: 20
- Total Pages: 13,720
- Total Reading Time: 13,720 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 8,920 minutes (~149 hours)
- Dragon Ball (Buy Dragon Ball)
- Chapters: 519
- Average Pages per Chapter: 20
- Total Pages: 10,380
- Total Reading Time: 10,380 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 4,152 minutes (~69 hours)
Lesser-Known Manga: The Hidden Gems
In addition to popular titles, I analysed a few lesser-known series:
- The Bad Boys
- Chapters: 22
- Average Pages per Chapter: 22
- Total Pages: 484
- Total Reading Time: 484 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 193.6 minutes (~3.2 hours)
- The Kindaichi Case Files
- Chapters: 219
- Average Pages per Chapter: 40
- Total Pages: 8,760
- Total Reading Time: 8,760 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 3,504 minutes (~58 hours)
- Kochikame: Tokyo Beat Cops
- Chapters: 1960
- Average Pages per Chapter: 14
- Total Pages: 27,440
- Total Reading Time: 27,440 pages × 0.4 minutes per page = 10,976 minutes (~183 hours)
So, How Long to Read a Manga Series?
As you can see, reading manga can range from a few hours to several days, depending on the series. Before diving in, consider how much time you’re willing to invest. Some shorter series can be completed in a weekend, while longer ones might take several weeks of dedicated reading.
Considerations Before Starting a Manga Series
- Time Investment: Knowing the total reading time helps in deciding whether to commit to a series.
- Interest Level: The length of a manga can either be a treat for dedicated fans or a daunting task for newcomers.
- Genre Preferences: Longer series often have more complex storylines, which might appeal to those who enjoy intricate plots.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned manga reader or new to the world of manga, understanding how long it takes to read a manga series is invaluable. It can help you manage your time better and set realistic expectations before diving into a series. So the next time you pick up a manga, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into— No need to ask yourself “How Long to Read a Manga Series?”
If you enjoyed what you see, please follow me on X for exclusive insights and updates you won’t want to miss.
Comments