Forum - View topicIt's time for manga to be sold in a digital alternative!
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PrimalX3
 Posts: 104 |
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I feel that the manga industry is losing a market in not offering digital versions of manga. There is already millions forcefully syphoning manga into the digital format in means that are not legit! The industry should at least offer a digital option for purchasing manga so that those with integrity will be able to buy their favorite manga instead of having it spoiled for them by illegitimate viewers that post spoilers of the latest in japan.
Even the VA of Ichigo from Bleach has said that reading illegitimate manga scans is harmful! If people stopped reading manga in such a way, the stories would get better since there would be more money for those involved in the story. See the full interview here. http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-654183/exclusive-interview-with-bleachs-voice-actor Now then, of course, the only way to purchase the latest manga from japan in the present time that I'm aware of is to import it! Which can be quite expensive! It's not needed with manga like Naruto which is already matched up in # of volumes to its homeland. However, with manga like BLEACH, which is still way behind here, it makes going on the internet somewhat perilous as spoilers abound in all kinds of forums/avatars/sigs/fan art and other locations. It kind of ruins the surprise. So I think, a good alternative to importing is not just simple digital format purchasing, but more like a digital "rental". By this, I mean that a chapter should be offered for viewing a single time for the price of $00.15, in a manga viewer designed to keep people from taking screenshots or saving the images. Kind of like Marvel's manga viewer. http://marvel.com/digitalcomics/free/ In this way, buying the volumes in paper format will still work and you will have gotten to see the chapter prior to that. I think being able to temporarily see the chapter for just $00.15 is a better alternative than say permanently buying it in digital format for $1.00 and then owning it again when it comes out in tankoubon/book format for $10.00 when you already have it on your computer, which seems redundant. Bottom line, I think viewing it once temporarily for that low price, then purchasing the book in the future when it is released is a good plan. Or say I want to view a series once without owning the books, possibly due to not having room to store them in, but don't have the money to permanently purchase it in digital format? I would just use the temporary view instead. For example, I have 350 chapters to read since some series are that far ahead of the U.S. release. That would amount to a total of $52.50!!?! Well, its better than importing which would be 8 times greater in price! So for those that have some money, but not enough to import, and don't have the patience to wait 3 years to see what's happening, I think temporary digital buying/rental is the way. I predict that some fair amount of money would be made for the industry should they attempt to tap this target market. I hear that most of these people are nothing more than teens, so at least some of them should have an allowance of some kind? And that should make it possible for them to purchase this type of digital manga format. Finally, I would like to say that I think Shueisha might have thought of some kind of prototype because not long ago I was on their site and downloaded a manga viewer of their own. They have various free manga chapters that are already translated into english. http://www.shonenjump.com/e/mangaonline/ So lets put an end to these illegitimate manga viewing and build toward a future where manga is more accessible to everybody and at reasonable prices and different formats! What do you say, people? |
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Jaymie
Posts: 915 |
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This is a really well thought-out post, but it's sort of a moot matter.
Yen Press is doing just that with Yen Plus Online. Check it out at their website. 
Square Enix is also starting up a Manga Store this Fall where you can buy chapters directly from them. I prefer Yen's subscription idea better, myself, but it's still an option. |
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OranjiKun
 Posts: 6 |
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I'd read my manga on paper volumes rather than on the pc any day.
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Mushi-Man
 Posts: 1537 Location: KCMO |
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Well actually recently we've been seeing news announcements about allot of different digital manga websites coming out of the wood work. even previously illegal websites are shutting down in favor of going legit like CR did. For example Mangahelper closed down to start OpenManga. So this seems like a trend that will be growing in years to come. I think there's even an iphone/ipad app for manga out right now.
Personally I view digital manga the same way I view digital anime, it's only to preview. No matter what I'll prefer being able to buy the actual manga and have in on my shelf anytime I want it. And I think this is something that allot of other manga fans feel. Most manga fans are also literary fans, and in the world of literature; digital is nice, but hard copies are nicer. Though this is a system that's not as fail safe as many think. Allot of these legal digital manga ideas are being coming from the idea that a website like Crunchyroll is successful. But this has actually yet to be seen, crunchyroll still hasn't developed fully yet and the last financial news we heard from CR is that they broke even. Sadly breaking even isn't good when it comes to business, all that means is that you made back the money you invested, not any additional income. Really digital sales have yet to prove themselves as a major aspect of the industry yet. |
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Soundmonkey44
 Posts: 1243 |
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I second this, Nothing beats paper, I don't see the logic in paying for images on a computer screen. and reading manga online hurts my eyes, i'd rather BUY a PHYSICAL PAPER COPY |
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PrimalX3
Posts: 104 |
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I did mention that owning a paper copy is ideal, however, my point is that for those that want to a glimpse of what is happening in japan now, instead of permanently buying a digital copy, can temporarily see the manga chapter for like a limited time{an hour? a day?} or a single time after paying a very low yet reasonable price ranging around $00.15 to $00.35 a chapter. I think this method would beat having to permanently buy a digital copy which would probably cost more [$1 to $3?}and then having to own it again in paper which would be redundant.
And besides, any true manga fan would want to own the tankoubon/book version eventually!!! Although about digital books, they would probably be preferred by those that don't have space and will eventually exist! However, my point was about "temporary" viewing which somebody else in this thread used a better word "previewing", which is how I guess they do it in Japan when buying the magazines and later buying the tankoubon. How about a digital version of something like Shounen Jump at half the price if permanently owning it digitally and at 1/8 the price if temporarily viewing/previewing it? Other poster: Yen Press is publishing Soul Eater!? I've never read that manga, but all I hear is good things about it all over the internet, and I don't think I've been spoiled to its story. That's been on my "mangas to read" list that has been in my head for a few months. I actually heard about Square Enix plan on this very website. I haven't heard much else after that, are they already up and running? |
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Haterater
 Posts: 1744 |
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I'll submit to digital when there is no other option. Like say a company can't afford to make a book form, so they had to go digital for the final volume or something like that. I wouldn't like it, but I do want to see the ending. If its a short series and no one would carry the book, I'll bite.
Just have to take consider on where the digital media will be. If its Iphone/Ipad exclusive, I'm out of luck there and hope they have alternatives that I can use. |
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vashna
Posts: 1313 |
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I also totally agree - I don't have an iPhone and I don't have an iPad. I much prefer paper as well, by far. I also have a slow Internet connection.
Isn't emanga.com also a legitimate online distributor though? |
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PrimalX3
Posts: 104 |
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I was thinking of pc, I too don't have an ipad/iphone, and pc seems the most accessible platform for digital distribution. I don't think they should be afraid of somebody hacking it because its already being done with the whole illegit uploads everywhere. So the industry should at least put up their own legit digital stuff so that those who are honest will go to them and purchase the legit manga.
They should also save on printing if they offer digital purchases. Either way, true fans will get the manga in tankoubons in the end anyways. |
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ZenErik
 Posts: 392 Location: Boston |
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I can only read so many forum threads before the screen bothers me. Can't imagine reading all my manga online. Sounds like torture.
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wizardz199
Posts: 112 Location: Hayward, CA |
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Me personally, I cannot read manga online or on a screen. I would much rather buy manga and support the industry. There is nothing like having a book in your hands!
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Demon of Rashomon
 Posts: 24 Location: Sussex UK |
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Reading a comic on a tiny screen is the utter pits. I want my words and fancy drawings on dead tree product in my greedy hands so I can pore over it, drink it in then add it to my growing forests for posterity and reference. Sure I can understand the shift towards using on-line distribution but print won't be dead in my lifetime.
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Imperialkat
 Posts: 227 |
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I understand the evolution of media distribution and consumption as far as print is concerned. Doesn't mean I have to like it. As long as I can get a physical copy of my manga, I'll deal.
On the subject of the OP, a "digital rental" model does sound like a good idea. However, the demand for this option is being driven by the fan's desire for cheap, easy-access manga. Wouldn't renting get in the way of of the easy access? I know that the print would still be available, but most of the people who would buy a rental don't want a physical copy. I'm not sure if $0.15 is enough to float on though. |
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PrimalX3
Posts: 104 |
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I never said printed books should stop existing. Just saying that digital alternatives should be an option for those waiting for the tankoubon{as opposed to having to buy a big magazine with a collection of stories and then waiting again for the book of your favorite story while having to store the big magazine somewhere.} It would save more money to make those weekly magazines in digital format.
I'm all for collecting the volumes in book forms. I'm just saying that the weekly/monthly/quaterly magazines would benefit from a digital form for purchasing. Maybe for half to 75% of the paper format of the magazine's price{since theirs no printing fees}. Like in Japan, where they first read a chapter in magazine form, then get their favorites in book form. I am suggesting the the initial look, magazine form, be offered in digital format too, while the book form can stay as only a printed option. I think that sounds pretty good. |
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Demon of Rashomon
Posts: 24 Location: Sussex UK |
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So long as it's offered along side printed mediums then I agree, you'll reach more people by adding digital distribution. However in order to do that I don't think it's unreasonable for people to think that the cost of the infrastructure to do that has to come out of the print medium somehow, and that worries people who simply love print.
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