Bringing Manga to the World!!: Manga Reading Platform comici MANGA Launches in 12 Countries

Tokyo, Japan, March 5, 2026 – comici Inc. (“comici” or “the Company”) (Head office: Chiyoda, Tokyo; CEO: Daisaku Manda), a leading Japanese data science company supporting manga publishers in operations essential to running a digital manga magazine, has officially announced the launch of comici MANGA, a next-generation digital reading platform available in an initial 12 countries, bringing together multiple Japanese manga publishing brands under a single unified experience and available with a shared ID across the apps (Google Play/Apple App Store) and website.

With more brands planned, manga readers overseas can enjoy titles from five magazine labels at launch through a premium subscription, as well as free and rental options. Labels include: Comic Growl (BUSHIROAD WORKS), Kimicomi (KILL TIME COMMUNICATION), Comic Ruelle & Comic Jardin (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.), Manga-SPA! (FUSOSHA), and Ohzora Shuppan (OHZORA PUBLISHING CO.,Ltd.), providing a mix of instantly recognizable works overseas, such as The Ancient Magus Bride, as well as fresh titles now available in English, such as Magical Girl Inaba.

Background to launching the “magazine-style” comici MANGA service

The magazine-reading experience during the heydays of manga publishing enabled the discovery of diverse works through recognizable house styles, curated selections, and a mix of veteran and rookie voices, contributing strongly to reading culture.

While instant access and the rapid spread of social phenomena manga are among the strengths of digital reading platforms—now the dominant mode of access—the thread nurturing readers within a magazine has fractured, weakening meaningful discovery. Furthermore, the overreliance on data that prioritizes short-term KPIs has led to market slowdown and genre fatigue.

comici CEO Manda has provided an explanation of current industry challenges and reasons behind launching comici MANGA, using webtoons and Netflix as examples:

Reasons for launching "comici MANGA" in 2026, now that "webtoons" are stagnating (Japanese)

On comici MANGA, readers can experience titles from various labels in batches across genres like fantasy, BL, villainess, and romantic comedy, in the same vein as digital magazines. Batch releases enable regular excitement, delivering a sharp, direct impact to readers. With over 110,000 cumulative downloads already since its launch in January, comici MANGA is positioned to create the ideal environment for publishers to reach international audiences.

Features of comici MANGA

1. A collection of works from a variety of Japanese publishers and labels

Our platform covers core genres popular overseas, such as fantasy, BL, villainess, and romantic comedy, from multiple publishers such as Bushiroad Works and Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha.

2. Seamless integration between the web and apps

Reading history and purchase information are synchronized between the web browser and the app, providing a seamless experience worldwide. This allows users to continue reading on the large screen of their PC and enjoy the rest of their reading experience on their smartphone app while on the go, all via a single ID.

3. Exporting "manga magazine culture" developed in Japan

We will deliver to manga fans around the world the joy of following a variety of serializations that magazines have always provided. We will present the fun of ongoing manga born when authors, editors, and readers come together as one. comici MANGA is a collection of magazines that reach the world, delivering the latest chapters and creating excitement about current works.

About comici MANGA

comici MANGA introduction page

https://manga.comici.jp/about

*Currently only available in English

*Available in 12 countries as of March 2026: the USA, Canada, France, Spain, Germany, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Indonesia.

Publishers available on comici MANGA (as of March 2026, with more planned for the future):

comici MANGA is based on the Company's cross-publisher manga platform “comimaga” and leverages the advanced technology and insights from the Company's BPaaS (Business Process as a Service/Business Process Outsourcing Service) manga magazine management platform “comici+”, which delivers outsourced solutions to magazine management operations such as updating and managing works, data analysis, advertising management, and store operations. comici MANGA launched on January 8, 2026.

In Japan, publishers use comici+ to build a platform to deliver works to readers digitally. The number of users registered to platforms leveraging the comici+ management platform has surpassed 3 million. Platforms include “Champion Cross” and “Young Champion Web” (AKITA SHOTEN/AKITA PUBLISHING CO.,LTD.) and “Young Animal Web” (HAKUSENSHA Ltd.). Total site visitors across the Company's Japan-based web services have reached approximately 8 million users, with around 130 million page views monthly.

About comici Inc.

comici is a data science company that supports manga editorial departments.

Our patented, unique, and difficult-to-imitate analytical method increases the reproducibility of hit creation and maximizes the value of the IP through multifaceted development, including online magazines and merchandise sales.

We aim to form a coalition centered on Japanese manga and become an IP company that can compete in the global market.

■Company Overview

Company name: comici Inc.

Address: KANDA SQUARE 11F, 2-2-1 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda, Tokyo

Representative: Representative Director Daisaku Manda

Business: Manga D2C business, manga SaaS business