It's similar to the Japanese word "manga" and the Chinese word "manhua". All three refer to comics, but they have a distinct cultural and artistic context:
* Manhwa (Korean): Known for its diverse genres, including action, fantasy, romance, and webtoons. Often features unique storytelling and artistic styles.
* Manga (Japanese): Famous for its vibrant and diverse genres, from shonen (boys) to shojo (girls) to seinen (young men). It often features intricate artwork and detailed narratives.
* Manhua (Chinese): Characterized by historical, fantasy, and wuxia themes. It often incorporates traditional Chinese culture and aesthetics.
While the meaning is essentially the same, these terms are used to distinguish the comics of different East Asian cultures.