In a nutshell, the two main genres of manga are called shonen and shojo.
SHOJO ("for girls") manga is, as you might guess, "girly," usually revolving around complex social issues, boyfriends, family and friends. The artwork for the genre is typically light and airy with thin lines and highly ornate, detailed, iridescent backgrounds. The characters are drawn delicately and the whole work has a romantic and soft feel. Men are portrayed as unrealistically handsome and often are effeminate. There are exceptions, of course.
Common Misconceptions: Vapid, no substance, sexist, unrealistic, no plot
Copyright Bisco Hatori | Ouran High School Host Club
SHONEN ("for boys") manga is, as you might guess, more "guy" centered, usually revolving around a warrior's coming of age, battles, growing in strength and protecting friends. In contrast to shojo manga, shonen series' artwork is typically bolder and confident in the strength of the lines. Background scenes are not as richly detailed as in shojo manga, but the often bleak art is contrasted by a compelling conflict. Women are usually beautiful, well-edowed and shapely.
Common Misconceptions: No character development, sexist, pointless, endless fighting
Copyright Tite Kubo | Bleach
As a general rule, the majority of shojo manga is repulsive to guys, and girls wouldn't go near the majority of shonen manga. However, it seems the most popular series in recent history have been hybrids with the perfect balance of humor and relationships from shojo and strong characters and story from shonen. Series like Bleach, FullMetal Alchemist, Naruto and InuYasha, which officially shonen manga, appeal to both guys and girls and their popularity seems to grow exponentially.
Somewhere around Episode 130 of Bleach it struck much how much I'd come to love Ikkaku Madarame. As a minor supporting character, I'd followed his story indirectly for several seasons and didn't think much of it. He loves fighting, has a brash personality and is the run-of-the-mill violence loving warrior. I didn't like him much at first, and I assumed it was because as a female viewer I found him too harsh. I preferred watched "softer" male characters.
But, as characters tend to do, Ikkaku grew on me. Then it dawned on me; I was liking Ikkaku more because he was becoming less of the "man's man" warrior and becoming more "soft," or likable/lovable. Ikkaku epitomizes one of the reasons Bleach is as popular as it is. Here's a character who's both likable by guys and girls for completely different reasons:
...and a sexy love interest.Oh, the dichotomy! Ikkaku is both a shojo and shonen lead (did you notice the contrasting background between the two Ikkaku pictures?). I find it amusingly charming when characters are suddenly portrayed in a different light. It keeps the energy of the series fresh! Despite my love for Ikkaku, he is not my favorite Bleach character, but more on that later. :)
Lady Otaku
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