Research Article

Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-offs

Volume: 5 Number: 1 February 28, 2026
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Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-offs

Abstract

The automated colorization of manga presents unique challenges due to its distinctive artistic style and complex visuals. While deep learning has shown promise in image colorization, existing approaches often struggle with consistency and artistic integrity of manga artwork. This paper presents a comparative analysis of two deep learning architectures for manga colorization: a modified U-Net with progressive dropout and a ResNet-based autoencoder with adaptive skip connections. We introduce a novel composite loss function that specifically addresses manga-specific challenges by incorporating structural and perceptual components. Experiments on a diverse manga dataset show that the ResNet-based model achieves higher color consistency and better stability, producing fewer artifacts in uniform areas. However, U-Net preserves fine details more effectively. These results provide insights into trade-offs between architectures, guiding practical implementations of manga colorization systems.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

There is no need for an ethics committee approval in the prepared article. There is no conflict of interest with any person/institution in the prepared article.

References

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  4. T. Jiramahapokee, “Inkn’hue: Enhancing manga colorization from multiple priors with alignment multi-encoder VAE,” arXiv:2311.01804, 2023.
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  7. Y. Wu, X. Wang, Y. Li, H. Zhang, X. Zhao, and Y. Shan, “Towards vivid and diverse image colorization with generative color prior,” in Proc. IEEE/CVF Int. Conf. Comput. Vis. (ICCV), 2021, pp. 14377–14386.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Software Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

February 28, 2026

Submission Date

April 15, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 31, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 5 Number: 1

APA
Cakiral, S., Hosen, M. I., & Aydın, T. (2026). Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-offs. Firat University Journal of Experimental and Computational Engineering, 5(1), 119-134. https://doi.org/10.62520/fujece.1676853
AMA
1.Cakiral S, Hosen MI, Aydın T. Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-offs. FUJECE. 2026;5(1):119-134. doi:10.62520/fujece.1676853
Chicago
Cakiral, Sami, Md Imran Hosen, and Tarkan Aydın. 2026. “Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-Offs”. Firat University Journal of Experimental and Computational Engineering 5 (1): 119-34. https://doi.org/10.62520/fujece.1676853.
EndNote
Cakiral S, Hosen MI, Aydın T (February 1, 2026) Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-offs. Firat University Journal of Experimental and Computational Engineering 5 1 119–134.
IEEE
[1]S. Cakiral, M. I. Hosen, and T. Aydın, “Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-offs”, FUJECE, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 119–134, Feb. 2026, doi: 10.62520/fujece.1676853.
ISNAD
Cakiral, Sami - Hosen, Md Imran - Aydın, Tarkan. “Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-Offs”. Firat University Journal of Experimental and Computational Engineering 5/1 (February 1, 2026): 119-134. https://doi.org/10.62520/fujece.1676853.
JAMA
1.Cakiral S, Hosen MI, Aydın T. Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-offs. FUJECE. 2026;5:119–134.
MLA
Cakiral, Sami, et al. “Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-Offs”. Firat University Journal of Experimental and Computational Engineering, vol. 5, no. 1, Feb. 2026, pp. 119-34, doi:10.62520/fujece.1676853.
Vancouver
1.Sami Cakiral, Md Imran Hosen, Tarkan Aydın. Comparative Analysis of U-Net and ResNet for MangaColorization: Consistency, Detail, and Computational Trade-offs. FUJECE. 2026 Feb. 1;5(1):119-34. doi:10.62520/fujece.1676853