Encyclopedias are a number of in-game books in Legend of Mana detailing its various items and inhabitants. They are gained from talking to NPCs or other in-game events. Each has a unique icon consisting of a brown book with a yellow emblem. Some must be filled over the course of the game, while others are pre-filled. In addition to the books proper, Li'l Cactus has a diary written on green leaves hanging in the Hero/Heroine's bedroom.
Characters
Available from game start. Bears a figure standing with a sword and shield. It is filled out as the player meets NPCs and includes small tidbits about their personality and history. Some NPCs have multiple entries as their personal arcs unfold.
Lands
Available from game start. Bears a sprout growing out of a small mound. It is filled out as the player places Lands and contains small bits of their history or current items of interest. Notably, it references the associated Artifact.
Artifacts
Available from game start. Bears a depiction of the Firefly Lamp. It is filled as the player gains Artifacts and lists them with their associated Land. The descriptions lean poetic, but generally do some foreshadowing for events that will take place when the Land is visited.
Items
Bears a clay pot on the front. It details the various item types and their uses along with some explanatory bits on naming.
Equipment
Gained by talking to Mark on his day off. It bears a sword on its cover. All weapon and armor types are listed with minor notes on speed, range, defensive bonuses, and other concerns, but it's far from an all-inclusive guide.
Monsters
Available from game start. The in-game bestiary, with a Rabite on the front. It is filled out as the player encounters enemies and gives statistics on the Mana Levels that make them weaker and stronger along with their type and some flavor text.
Produce
Gained by asking Rev. Nouvelle about Meimei. It has a Bumpkin (Jack-o'-lantern) on the cover and is pre-filled with all Produce items and their level-up bonuses for Pets.
World History
It bears a small "W" on the front and is filled out as the game progresses, though how is not always apparent. As the name implies, it's a book detailing the lore of the game and exists purely for flavor, or to provide additional history on certain characters.
Basic Golemology
Obtained from Professor Bomb upon him setting up the Golem Laboratory in the Workshops. It depicts a ) from the waist up and is essentially a tutorial on how to create and program a Golem. It is fully filled out, but given the brevity and lack of direction offered, its main purpose is to explain the systems and encourage experimentation.
Techniques
Available from game start. Bears a figure attacking with a sword on the cover. It is filled out as the player learns Techniques.