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3.8. Graphic Novels and Manga

Last Updated 03/14/2025

Cataloging Graphic Novels and Manga

Graphic novels should be cataloged as a monograph series and not as a monograph set (see Multi-volume or Multi-part Sets). 

Titles and 245 fields

Each book should be cataloged on a separate bibliographic record as an independent resource with the title of the individual resource in the 245 field. 

• The 245 $n should have the number of the part/section following the nomenclature used for monographic parts
• The 245 $p should have the title of the part/section.
• You can also optionally include the value in the 245 $p in the 246. 
• To be searchable, the series statement(s) must appear in the appropriate 490 and 8XX fields.
• The 245 should reflect what is on the resource. For example, if the book says “vol.” then this should be transcribed as so in the bib record.

Examples of 245 $n $p for graphic novels

=245 10$aJustice League.$nVolume 7,$pGalaxy of terrors
=245 10$aDaredevil.$nVol. 5,$pTruth/dare
=245 10$aHilo.$nBook 5,$pThen everything went wrong
=245 10$a My hero academia.$n Vol. 9,$pMy hero

Note for Manga Print Format

Because of the nature of manga's print format, it is recommended that a 500 note be included in the record that specifies that the work is read from right to left, rather than left to right.  The following example may be used for reference:

=500 \\$aManga - reads from right to left.

Age Level

It is recommended that the age level or rating for a manga or graphic novel be included in the record using the 521 field. The age level or rating can usually be found on the front or back cover of the work, but if not, you may be able to find this information on the publisher's website, NoveList Plus, your book vendor's website, etc. If the rating comes from a source other than the work itself, use subfield $b to list the source info.

Examples

=521 8\$aRated: Mature.

=521 8\$aTarget age group: 08 to 12.$bIngram Content Group.

Graphic Novels vs. Text Books

To distinguish the graphic novel from the standard book version, catalogers may want to include a 250 edition statement to indicate the bib is for the graphic novel, especially when ‘the graphic novel’ is not included as a subtitle on the resource (therefore, cannot be included in the 245 $b).

Graphic novels and manga bibliographic records should always include the appropriate subject and genre headings. (See Subject and Genre/Form Headings.)

Examples

=650 \0$aManga (comic books)

=655 \7$aManga.$2lcgft

=655 \7$aGraphic novels.$2lcgft

=655 \7$aYoung adult fiction.$2lcsh

=655 \7$aYoung adult literature.$2lcsh

Fields and Subfields

Because the value "c" for the LitF ("Literary form") fixed field is obsolete, and because there can be both fiction and nonfiction graphic novels and comic works, only the values "0" and "1" should be used in the LitF fixed field for graphic novels and manga, as illustrated below.

“Fiction” comic works

008 fields

• “Contents”         6 (comics/graphic novels)
• “Literary form”     1 (Fiction works)

6XX fields

• All subject headings should have $v Comic books, strips, etc.
• For juvenile books, add a subject heading with $v Juvenile fiction. (Because subfield $v is repeatable, $v Juvenile fiction can simply be added after $v Comic books, strips, etc. instead of having two separate subject headings.)
• Example 1 (juvenile graphic novel)
  • 650 _0 $a Cowboys $v Comic books, strips, etc. $v Juvenile fiction.
  • 650 _0 $a Horses $v Comic books, strips, etc. $v Juvenile fiction.
• Example 2 (adult graphic novel)
  • 650 _0 $a Cowboys $v Comic books, strips, etc.
  • 650 _0 $a Horses $v Comic books, strips, etc.
• 655 fields (genre/form headings)
• 655 _7 $a Graphic novels. $2 lcgft
• 655 _7 $a Comics (Graphic works) $2 lcgft

“Nonfiction” comic works

008 fields

• “Contents”         6 (Comics/graphic novels)
• “Literary form”        0 (Nonfiction works)

6xx fields

• All subject headings should have $v Comic books, strips, etc.
• For juvenile works, add a subject heading with $v Juvenile literature. (Because subfield $v is repeatable, $v Juvenile literature can simply be added after $v Comic books, strips, etc. instead of having two separate subject headings.)
• Example 1 (juvenile nonfiction comics)
  • 600 10 $a King, Martin Luther, $c Jr., $d 1929-1968 $v Comic books, strips, etc. $v Juvenile literature.
  • 650 _0 $a Civil rights workers $z United States $v Biography $v Comic books, strips, etc. $v Juvenile literature.
• Example 2 (adult nonfiction comics)
  • 600 10 $a King, Martin Luther, $c Jr., $d 1929-1968 $v Comic books, strips, etc.
  • 650 _0 $a Civil rights workers $z United States $v Biography $v Comic books, strips, etc.
  • 655 fields (genre/form headings)
• 655 _7 $a Graphic novels. $2 lcgft
• 655 _7 $a Comics (Graphic works) $2 lcgft