| Do you guys find that you are more attentive when not listening to music when reading? I think I grasp a lot more when I sit there and just focus on the task at hand, reading. If you listen to anything, what is it? |
| I am a Completionist. All Anime/Manga will be watched/read. All FILLERS will be enjoyed :) Join my discord - https://discord.gg/CwhqqfGmHw :) |
| If the song has lyrics with language I'm fluent in, then it will distract me for sure. If the song is in language I don't really understand or has no lyrics, then I can be attentive but I'm sure I'll be most attentive to focus with just reading, unless there are a lot of noise around. I recently listened to Kdrama OSTs when reading a romance shoujo manga, and it actually enhance my experience since the songs fit the atmosphere so much. I usually don't listen to anything though, to avoid a song unfitting with the scene suddenly playing and ruin the moment. |
| To be honest for me personally this has the opposite effect, I start listening to the music and forget what I'm reading. Seems like your mileage may vary depending on the individual though. |
 |
| In general I don't do that with pretty much all things I read, be it manga or books or whatever, but, as with most of things, there are exceptions of said general rule. ;p For instance, reading Tower Dungeon while listening to dungeon synth tracks can really elevate the whole experience, haha. |
| I have tinnitus so I need to listen to music or have some background noise while I read otherwise I'd go mad. I listen to anything, really. But sometimes I do try to match the music with the mood of the manga, and often I prefer instrumental pieces. |
| I think listening to instrumentals is the best way for reading. Complete silence is okay. |
 |
Reply to StarlaFox
I think listening to instrumentals is the best way for reading. Complete silence is okay.
| @StarlaFox To be honest yes I could see that actually. Something a bit more soft and soothing that you can kind of get drawn into the storyline of the manga. I think anything beyond that would be more distracting in my opinion. |
|
| I used to read with music on. I tend to concentrate more when there's music playing, it just can't be too crazy and loud (no screaming) so I listened to stuff that was more like lofi. |
 |
Reply to Azokumi
I used to read with music on. I tend to concentrate more when there's music playing, it just can't be too crazy and loud (no screaming) so I listened to stuff that was more like lofi.
| @Azokumi Yeah I can kind of relate to that. I once tried listening to '80s rock while reading manga, let's just say it didn't work out well for me. XD |
|
| Funny enough, I think my concentration level while listening to music depends on how much I like the thing I'm reading. If I like it then the music just adds to my enjoyment+concentration, if I don't like it then the music distracts me. |
Reply to eroguy
Funny enough, I think my concentration level while listening to music depends on how much I like the thing I'm reading. If I like it then the music just adds to my enjoyment+concentration, if I don't like it then the music distracts me.
| @eroguy I can honestly see your point with that. Like if you're listening to some music that has a lot of energy to it and are reading shonen that you're into, might actually help the experience. |
|
Reply to Retro8bit
@eroguy
I can honestly see your point with that. Like if you're listening to some music that has a lot of energy to it and are reading shonen that you're into, might actually help the experience.
I can honestly see your point with that. Like if you're listening to some music that has a lot of energy to it and are reading shonen that you're into, might actually help the experience.
| @Retro8bit Yeah, I think listening to music that fits the tone of the story you're reading is a fairly common thing. I hear people talk about reading manga while listening to the anime adaptation's OST every so often. OSTs might be the best way to go since a lot of the time they're kinda made to be background noise. |
Reply to eroguy
@Retro8bit Yeah, I think listening to music that fits the tone of the story you're reading is a fairly common thing. I hear people talk about reading manga while listening to the anime adaptation's OST every so often. OSTs might be the best way to go since a lot of the time they're kinda made to be background noise.
| @eroguy Wow you know what's crazy? I've been reading manga for many many years but I've never actually thought about trying this out. Since I always figured music would be a distraction the times I have tried it, but listening to the osts while doing it. Brilliant stuff! Going to try this out tonight. |
|
| I'm just like you, I prefer to read without hearing any noise. I've tried listening to instrumental music, and depending on the book it creates a nice immersion, but I still prefer silence |
Reply to _juuj
I'm just like you, I prefer to read without hearing any noise. I've tried listening to instrumental music, and depending on the book it creates a nice immersion, but I still prefer silence
| @_juuj I hear you on that one! It may depend on the manga itself, but personally I find music to be more of a distraction. 😵💫 |
|
| I never thought of it as distracting. Most yorushika songs are fine to listen to, regardless of the type of manga i'm reading. |
  Stop dancing and help me out here (ꐦ¬_¬) But i'm dancing to provide moral support for you ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ ) |
| If I want to properly follow the story, I prefer to read in silence. |
 |
| I usually do most reading - whether books or manga - without any music on. Occasionally, I may have classical or instrumental music playing softly in the background. If I read in the early hours in the morning, I will hear birds chipping outside. That is another type of "music." hahaha |
 |
| generally I find i'm less attentive, for sure. With that being said, some of my favorite manga were vastly improved by a good soundtrack. I remember reading Alive: saishuu shinkateki shounen with Mogwai going on in the background, and it really elevated that atmosphere of alienation and despair the manga was going for. It's not an amazing manga, but Ratts of the Capitol made it feel like the best thing I'd ever read. Well, coming from Hayate the Combat Butler and Claymore, maybe it was the best thing I'd ever read. |
| Nah I think it would just be really distracting for me personally. I'm most attentive to manga when its, 1.) good/worth paying attention to and 2.) imagining the SFX and dialogue in my head. Some manga just have a really good atmosphere to them that allows this to happen more easily. I think I got side tracked, but the answer is no. |
| I listen to music while reading because i just don't like sitting in complete silence, it takes me out of the zone for some reason. Also it's pretty cool when the music sync up with the manga panels, makes some scenes more impactful for me. |
 Thank you secret santa for this amazing set! |
| i do listen to music but its more electronic / ambient like aphex twin (for ex. to match 1984 by gorge orwell when reading) to not get too distracted |
     |
| I almost always listen to music while reading; otherwise the silence would drive me crazy. |
   Check out the "FG The Running Man (2026)" or The "FG Interviews", this month, MinakoBestGirl. Hosted by CrescentCapone. This set was made by Wendy - Mr_Libra - |
Reply to ArtGarcia
It depends of the manga, I remember when I read oyasumi punpun listening asian kung fu generation, it was a great experience I think.
| @ArtGarcia I'm familiar with that manga, and honestly? I can see your point there! 🤣 |
|
| Needless to say, this music can all be found on Youtube. Here's a sample of it...... |
| I have approximately 1 terabyte of anime on my computer. |
| Eh, no difference. I just like putting on stuff that I think fits whatever I'm listening to. Dorohedoro had an "official manga OST" and it made me forever associate it with Igorrr, for example. |
| Your planet is really bright. |
More topics from this board
» Manga you collect as a replacement for the older titlesm_alhafidz - 2 hours ago |
2 |
by m_alhafidz
»»
4 minutes ago |
|
» Personal Reading Goals for 2026.jiv123 - Yesterday |
1 |
by m_alhafidz
»»
2 hours ago |
|
» New publisher promises romance manga with a little bit more - literallyShikae - 6 hours ago |
1 |
by Retro8bit
»»
4 hours ago |
|
» AI-generated manga becomes top-ranked in Japan’s biggest e-book storeShikae - 6 hours ago |
0 |
by Shikae
»»
6 hours ago |
|
» Dr. Stone's Boichi, Other Artists Stop Posting Art on X (Formerly Twitter)Shikae - 6 hours ago |
1 |
by Alexioos95
»»
6 hours ago |