> Isn't the "weak guy becomes tough guy" power fantasy make the majority of the manga market, at least in the west?
Shōnen is probably the bigger market, but it’s worth noting that the key to the “style” is that it’s the term for the target market: young boys. There is usually a power accumulation fantasy, but more accurately these are typically coming-of-age stories.
So:
Shōnen: Young Boys
Shōjo: Young Girls
Seinen: Young Men
Josei: Ladies (there is also a separate category for “Young Ladies”)
As you can see, these are less genre terms and more demographic terms.
Shōnen is probably the bigger market, but it’s worth noting that the key to the “style” is that it’s the term for the target market: young boys. There is usually a power accumulation fantasy, but more accurately these are typically coming-of-age stories.
So:
Shōnen: Young Boys
Shōjo: Young Girls
Seinen: Young Men
Josei: Ladies (there is also a separate category for “Young Ladies”)
As you can see, these are less genre terms and more demographic terms.