Traditional Manga Tarot

Traditional Manga Tarot - Rider-Waite symbolism in Japanese linework

Not every manga deck takes the tarot seriously. This one does. Shou Xueting sticks to the Rider-Waite structure, but redraws the figures in a style you know from Japanese comics: soft lines, emotional faces, clear colours.

The result is not pastiche, but a fully functional tarot set. The images are recognisable to anyone who knows the classic cards. The execution is fresh enough to appeal to people who have never touched a tarot deck before.

What you see on the cards

All 78 cards are redrawn. The Major Arcana follows the fixed list: The Fool, The Magician, The High Priestess, and so on. The Minor Arcana is divided into Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles, exactly as in the classic deck.

The characters are human and expressive. Where the Rider-Waite often maintains a distant symbolism, here you look someone straight in the eye. That makes it easier to see what a card expresses: doubt, determination, sorrow, hope.

The colours are bright without becoming harsh. Shades of pink, blue, green and gold dominate. The lines remain clean, even in more complex scenes like The Moon or The Tower.

How it works in practice

Because the symbolism stays true to Rider-Waite, you can use any standard tarot book alongside this deck. The images speak for themselves, but the traditional meanings remain valid.

Many people use this deck for daily draws. The soft style makes it less intimidating than some classic versions. That works well if you are just starting out, but also if you simply want a lighter deck without losing the depth.

When you draw a card, look at the character's gaze. In manga style, much information sits in the eyes and the posture, sometimes more than in the attributes around them.

About Shou Xueting

Shou Xueting is a Chinese illustrator who works with traditional manga techniques. Her style is soft but never weak: the emotions on the faces are clear, the compositions are balanced.

For this deck she has worked through the entire Rider-Waite structure and redesigned each card. That requires thorough knowledge of both the symbolism and the visual language. Both are present.

Specifications

• Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
• Card size: 66 x 120 mm
• Language: English (multilingual instruction booklet)
• Publisher: Lo Scarabeo
• Weight: 230 g
• Illustrator: Shou Xueting

Questions we often get

Can I use this deck if I am just starting with tarot?
Yes. The symbolism is Rider-Waite, so you can use any standard tarot book or online resource. The images are clear and accessible, which makes learning easier.

How does this differ from a classic Rider-Waite deck?
The meanings are identical, but the style is softer and more modern. The characters are more emotionally expressive, which helps some people read the cards intuitively.