Where to buy/read manga legally?
For JP/ENG titles. Apps/Sites. Campaigns/Kujis (lottery). Voting for annual awards. Requesting for license. Miscellaneous.
π BUYING DIGITALS π Some popular manga magazines or publishers release their titles typically in digital version first.They release individual episodes/chapters on a schedule. These episodes are then compiled into tankobons (individual volumes). Other magazines or pubs don't do this, which meant you have to buy the whole magazine instead of the individual episodes.Depending on sales, a title can get a continuation or a physical release as a complete volume which is good news for the mangaka and readers (at the end of the day, sales matter to prevent getting axed).This is the reason why on SNS especially on X (formerly Twitter), you will see a mangaka or a JP publisher post a daily ranking of a particular title in these platforms with a congratulatory message - as daily/monthly/annual rankings on official platforms are a sort of publicity for the work to encourage more readers leading to sales for the work.
εΈε·ε η finding out about the volume reaching number 1 on the daily rankings on cmoa!π₯Ή This was actually surprising because the latest book has been out for some time - this meant that more readers purchased the book during a campaign period, leading to the work shooting up the daily rankings! Sensei was very happy, even the editor-san posted a congratulatory message π©·
If there are physicals anyway, why bother buying the digital version?There are other reasons besides preference.One of the main reasons I observed was because these digital stores have their own exclusive tokutens (scroll below to learn more about what this is) - so loyal fans of a work buy the digital version, too, from different official digital platforms to get these tokutens. Publishers often post where you can buy an exclusive tokuten from.Additionally, as a form of support, readers also contribute by reading, reviewing and rating on these platforms to help get a work be nominated for each platform's annual digital manga awards (more on this!).Based on a survey conducted by chilchil in 2024 for BL readers, the top 3 most popular stores for buying digital works are: cmoa, ebookJapan and honto.
Image from: Chilchil's 2024 Readers' Ebook Survey
π Some JP Official Digital Platforms π
π‘ How to Buy and Read on JP Official Sites π‘Note: Buying on most JP sites is just the same process. The easiest way is to utilize your browser's auto translate function or using translation tools such as DeepL or Papago to make it easier to create an account, enter your payment details and accessing your digital library. Information presented here might be outdated as the years go by.
π Reading For FREE - How? πMost JP comic sites offer free-to-read or free volumes campaigns. One of the keywords to look out for, are these kanji characters β η‘ζ.Nowadays, you can read more free-to-read titles on any platform.Comic Pixiv is one of the platforms I mostly read currently serializing works from that are totally free for a limited time period before being locked for purchase. Other JP platforms have popped up over the years having a similar model.NEW ADDITIONS (2025): Comic pixiv has made coin zones available now! If you're familiar with them when you read on Lezhin, Tappytoon or other official manhwa apps, it's the same process. However, this is region locked to Japan.
π² All About Kujis - Test Your Luck! π²Kujis are the lottery gimmick on some digital platforms where you can win coins/points (the platform specific currency) you can then use to buy works, or get coupons for discounts.Tip: look out for holiday sales and campaigns during Golden Week, anniversary specials, etc.For physicals, it's mostly gacha style (random pulls) for certain goods if you buy a work during a campaign or fair period.Kuji announcements are done by the platforms on the apps/platforms' homepages or announced by the official SNS account of each platform. They also announce it via LINE or newsletter - which you can check from time to time, since secret coupons and deals are often given thru this (I'm not even lying when I tell you I got 99% off coupons multiple times). I included previous stuff I won and I mostly talk about them on my account, you can check how they're usually done by the platforms β
π Digital Manga Awards πThe digital manga awards are the annual awards that depend on the following criteria, typically after the nominees are announced by the platform: popularity (sales + rating on the specific platform), fan votes (done on the platform or via a specific method like hashtag campaign on X), or reviews.You probably know the NEXT Manga Awards or γ欑γ«γγγγ³γ¬ε€§θ³γby Kadokawa. It's only one of the few awarding events that focus on manga released in a specific year or time period.I have previously compiled a list of some of them, although over the years, they have either changed the criteria or removed certain categories.Personally, I consider the Japanese digital manga awards as something to look forward to every end of the year. I have participated in fan votings to support some of my fave mangakas. Not only does these awarding ceremonies boost publicity for the work nominated, but the mangakas receive some congratulatory tokens.For example, cmoa hosts their own annual awarding ceremonies with known seiyuus and celebrities. Mangakas whose nominated work won for a specific category receive a trophy/plaque and other incentives on top of getting their works heavily promoted after the ceremony - campaigns, homepage visibility and the official SNS account of the platform promoting the work.
π TOKUTENS π
Tokutens / ηΉε Έ are the exclusive bonus illustration/mini manga/etc. at the end of the main story of the work. It is typically indicated alongside the title of the work, within brackets. Tokutens vary per platform or store, enticing readers to buy a volume they want from each store. The JP publishers typically post a list of tokutens before the release date of the work on their official SNS accounts.Tokutens are also found in the form of acrylic stands, leaflets, booklets, illustration cards, coasters, etc. for physical books. Oftentimes, due to limited supply, these extras become OOS, so preordering is the key!
The words underlined in brackets after the title indicates it comes with extras or tokutens.Check out the official English license on Animate International's site!
π² POPs and TOKUTENS - the DO's and DON'T's π²
Proof of Purchases (POPs) are proofs (photos) that you bought a particular comic, merch or attended collaborations in the form of cafe and events - and posting it on SNS using a specific hashtag for that particular work or tagging the mangaka to it so the mangaka can see the fan impressions. This is a popular term mostly within manhwa spaces, but the same is true for manga/djs.POPs aren't a requirement, but since most mangakas often do egosa, they do read and interact with fans! So it's highly encouraged to post that you bought their work.Some mangakas also quite often mention they either base future storylines from the reader impressions/reviews or the publisher will get ideas on what tokutens fans wanted in the future.Please also be mindful NOT to share the contents of exclusive manga (tokutens) on social media as those are considered exclusive perks. Most mangakas I follow have voiced their concern & disappointment that the contents of the extra mangas are shared online. This is also true for doujinshis. Some doujinkas I follow who have physical releases put multiple warnings on and within the pages of the books to never share the contents.Please follow the unspoken etiquette in JP spaces π as previously mentioned, these authors often search for their names and works on twitter/X and THEY SEE EVERYTHING.
π Some ENG Official Apps/Sites/Publishers to Read Digital Manga From π
π How to Ask for a License π
Asking for an English (or any language's) license typically depends on reader's support, JP publisher's decision, and a publisher of the language that will be able to license the work.Some readers also use the SNS campaign where they show their POPs and tagging the JP pub to boost visibility.I have read people complaining they didn't get a license of a work UNDER a mangaka's tweet which isn't just rude, but also misguided π€¦ It is not the mangaka or artist who decides when a license is going to be made - the publishers have all the authority about licensing from Japanese to another language.Requests can be made via the website of the JP publisher which is done through the suggestion forms. These can be found on their websites on the link which reads γγεγεγγγ. Most of them require writing the request in Japanese. DeepL and Papago can be used to translate from English to JP.Sevenseas has a monthly survey request form which they announce via their X (formerly Twitter) account or their newsletter.
π¦ Buying Physicals - Some Proxy Services π¦For English Manga
Since the end of service of Book Depository (RIP π), buying books has been a lot HARDER for overseas folks like me. I depend now on some local proxies and bookstores.Proxy services that do GOs are often available on SNS, where you can order from them directly. If you're familiar with KPop album GOs, it's like that. They're basically the middlemen - where you pay a fee for the service (depends on your location). I've bought through this method multiple times in the past with overall good experiences.For readers in the Philippines, individual manga stores can be found online, albeit only a handful (but it's extremely risky because some of them sell bootlegs, basically scans that were bookbinded). There are also bookstores like National Bookstore, Power Books and Fully Booked with select branches nationwide that sell English - sometimes JP manga (but you can also use shopping apps where they have their official accounts for easier delivery). However, stocks are often small in number... π¬ Yeah, it's just hard to buy books easily in the Philippines.For Japanese Manga
For JP works, the following are available proxy services shipping to the Philippines and other territories. There are information on each site about the proxy service they offer, including estimated shipping fee and ETA for your ordersβI have tried all of these methods. The one common problem between all 3 is choosing the right transport service. I usually pick Airmail because if you buy stuff (not just books but merch) from Japan and you live in the boonies like I do, mail takes more than a month for EMS! It should be the opposite, coz Airmail takes longer based on ETA, but lol... There are also considerations - for Philippine post offices, you are given a tracking number which you track on the Japan post website. Then somehow the package gets stuck at the Manila post office for weeks on end. I have done in-person inquiries to my local post office just to wait for the confirmation they got my package. I suggest reading through forums of shipping items from Japan regarding the considerations if you plan to buy merch.
π¨ How to report illegal translations/sellers of bookbinded scans to JP pubs π¨
Instead of reading illegally, show support to the mangaka by buying the JP comics and/or asking for a license request!βPublicity is NOT editing/ruining a work for likes and views. βIt is in the form of genuinely supporting an artist and requesting for an official translation so more readers can buy their work. The only ones profiting off of your views on an illegal website are the narcissistic POS who fool you into donating to them instead or they earn revenue from your thousands of views while the real creators - NEVER get a portion, are hounded by entitled mfs who demand for a new episode, or straight out disrespectful antis who cyberbully the artist.I have seen some of the WORST behavior from these people, and it pains a lot to see the artist mentally and emotionally attacked by them.It is also a loss for the genuine readers of the works.One of my fave works literally discontinued the exclusive doujinshi in English - something that the mangaka put effort and love for us because sensei asked to officially translate the work for us overseas readers... She was really excited to share to us that she has made it possible. But some mfs reposted the whole thing on an illegal website. Sensei got wind of that, and since then, she has not released the English version of the djs. What's more hurtful is the fact that doujinshis or passion projects are NOT commercial works - meaning, that djs were made by the artist and every sale goes to them, unlike commercial works where they get royalties and a percentage goes to the platform hosting it and the publisher...It takes time and extra effort to request and wait for a license - it can literally take years... but at least you're not enabling others from giving money to the wrong people, letting some scumbags sell bootlegs, and continuing the cycle of unfair treatment of authors whose works you love.
Information on this carrd are based on my own buying experiences on the aforementioned sites. Not affiliated with any party.