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Pocket Comics Platform Ends English, French, Korean Services on October 31
posted on by Joanna Cayanan
Coin purchases on the platform are available until July 15, and Coins can be used until the service ends on October 31. End of publication and use of Ad Tickets are also available until July 15, while access to purchased episodes and use of Offerwall are available until October 31.
Korean business media website Maeil Economy reported on June 8 that Pocket Comics operator NHN was considering shutting down the French service and was "conducting a comprehensive review of the service's operations and efficiency." With the closing of the French service, this marks NHN's complete exit from the European webtoon market, following prior withdrawals from Germany and Southeast Asia.
NHN launched the Pocket Comics app in English in the United States, Canada, and Singapore in July 2020. It launched with 41 titles, including both Japanese manga and Korean webtoons. Some of the Japanese titles that launched in the English version include Yayoiso's ReLIFE, Kakeru Utsugi's How to keep a mummy, Kurose's Momokuri, and Shō Futamata's Nanbaka. All four manga have previously inspired anime.
Pocket Comics launched in France in January 2022 and quickly found success, topping the local App Store charts by targeting women in their 20s and 30s. But the early momentum has faded, with local readers still favoring traditional print manga.
As of press time the Japanese Comico platform has not announced an end of service.
