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

Year 2026, Volume: 5 Issue: 1, 119 - 134, 28.02.2026

Sami Cakiral , Md Imran Hosen , Tarkan Aydın

https://doi.org/10.62520/fujece.1676853

https://izlik.org/JA56UU39TL

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

Manga colorization , Deep learning , U-Net , ResNet , Automated artistic processing

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.

Manga için U-Net ve ResNet'in Karşılaştırmalı Analizi Renklendirme: Tutarlılık, Detay ve Hesaplamalı Ödünleşimler

https://izlik.org/JA56UU39TL

Abstract

Manganın otomatik olarak renklendirilmesi, kendine özgü sanatsal tarzı ve karmaşık görselliği nedeniyle benzersiz zorluklar ortaya koymaktadır. Derin öğrenme görüntü renklendirmede umut vaat etse de, mevcut yaklaşımlar genellikle manga sanat eserlerinin tutarlılığı ve sanatsal bütünlüğü ile mücadele etmektedir. Bu makale, manga renklendirme için iki derin öğrenme mimarisinin karşılaştırmalı bir analizini sunmaktadır: aşamalı bırakma özelliğine sahip değiştirilmiş bir U-Net ve uyarlanabilir atlama bağlantılarına sahip ResNet tabanlı bir otomatik kodlayıcı. Yapısal ve algısal bileşenleri bir araya getirerek mangaya özgü zorlukları özellikle ele alan yeni bir bileşik kayıp fonksiyonu sunuyoruz. Farklı bir manga veri kümesi üzerinde yapılan deneyler, ResNet tabanlı modelin daha yüksek renk tutarlılığı ve daha iyi kararlılık sağladığını ve tek tip alanlarda daha az yapaylık ürettiğini gösteriyor. Bununla birlikte, U-Net ince ayrıntıları daha etkili bir şekilde korur. Bu sonuçlar, manga renklendirme sistemlerinin pratik uygulamalarına rehberlik ederek mimariler arasındaki değiş tokuşlar hakkında fikir vermektedir.

Keywords

Manga renklendirme , Derin öğrenme , U-Net , ResNet , Otomatik sanatsal işleme

Ethical Statement

Hazırlanan makale için etik kurul onayına gerek yoktur. Hazırlanan makalede herhangi bir kişi/kurumla çıkar çatışması bulunmamaktadır.

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