TankÅbon
Tankōbon (Japanese単 行 本, dt " single book" ) is the Japanese term for a book that is part of a series and not complete in itself. However, this term is used in the manga industry to identify individual issues of a series. A tankōbon thus, paperback books called about books with beauty advice, photos, books, catalogs and the like every imaginable form of a bound work. The term itself is more specific than hon - a general term for books that also includes books series with.
The tankōbon but do not count the book forms Bunkobon (文库 本, typically used for novels ), Shinsho (新书, typically used for informative books and textbooks), as well as the large-sized Mook (ムック, Mukku = portmanteau word from magazine and book; issues with very many photographs ), as long as they show up within a series.
There are no guidelines for the size of a tankōbon, so even miniature books (豆 本mamehon, , dt " small book" ) and sign page sized books are included. However, there are often other specialized designations for exceptional formats.
Manga
Usually manga in weekly or monthly magazines appearing (such as Afternoon, Weekly Shōnen Jump or Hana to Yume ) will be printed. These are about the size of phone books and consist of hundreds of pages, filled with the stories of different authors. It is usually printed on very cheap newsprint and the outputs are seen as disposable. The collected chapters such stories often appear in bound form as tankōbon. While usually better paper is used, which also leads to a better quality. Manga tankōbon usually have a size of JIS B6, ie almost 13 × 18 cm.
Aizōban and kanzenban
A Aizōban (爱 蔵 版, dt "Lovers Edition ") is the collector's edition of an issue. These issues are more expensive and provided with special offerings. So often the book cover, usually made of special paper, specially created for the Edition. The quality of paper is usually still above the normal tankōbon. In addition, further additions of any imaginable type, devised. Since Aizōban are made usually in limited editions, their desirability and value increases frequently. There are, however, made only from the most popular manga such issues.
The term kanzenban (完全 版, dt " complete edition " ) also refers to these special issues, but particularly emphasizes the completeness, Aizōban, however its value.
So far, outside of Japan, few of these issues, as appeared from Fruits Basket or Kenshin.
Bunkoban
A Bunkoban (文库 版, dt " Bunko edition " ) usually has the same size as a Japanese novel ( Bunkobon ) and comprises approximately twice the content as a tankōbon. These are only about 15 cm high ( A6 ), but much thicker. As with Aizōban is also here, if it is a manga, mostly designed a new cover and used higher quality paper. The term is also abbreviated by the omission of the syllable "ban " to Bunko.
Wideban
As Wideban (ワイド 版, Waidoban, dt "Wide Output" ) books are called, which are larger (often DIN A5) than a regular tankōbon and summarize series in a smaller number of single issues.
Shinsōban
Shinsōban (新装 版) are new editions, usually with a revised cover and some color pages.