Top 10 Manga Apps in Japan
Japan is renowned worldwide for its manga culture, which spans generations. Recently, the proliferation of smartphones and tablets has led to a rapid growth in manga apps, allowing many people to enjoy manga daily. Manga apps offer the convenience of reading anywhere and a rich lineup of works. From new releases to classics, manga in various genres is supported by a wide range of users, regardless of age or gender.
In this article, we will introduce popular manga apps in Japan based on the total number of manga they offer, the lineup of popular manga, and the range of free content available, ranking them accordingly. We will provide detailed explanations of the features and strengths of each app to help you find the one that best suits your lifestyle and preferences. We hope this will be a useful reference for those looking for apps to enjoy manga more closely and extensively.
10 Popular Manga Apps
- LINE Manga
- Piccoma
- Manga eBookJapan
- Mecha Comic
- Manga BANG!
- Manga Park
- Magapoke
- Manga One
- Manga Box
- Zebrack
1. LINE Manga
LINE Manga is one of the most popular manga apps in Japan. It is integrated with the LINE platform, allowing users to share manga with friends and family and enjoy campaigns linked with LINE stickers. It offers a wide range of works, from the latest popular series to past classics, and also features free chapters available daily. Additionally, it provides a substantial collection of overseas works, such as Korean and Chinese webtoons, making it appealing to manga fans. Notable features include popular original manga and webtoons like "Fight Class 3," "Lookism," "True Beauty," and "Senpai is an Otokonoko." It supports vertical scrolling, which is suitable for webtoons.
2. Piccoma
Piccoma is known for its "Wait to Read for Free" system, which is popular among users who want to enjoy manga without spending money. Many works are available to read one chapter per day for free, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy manga gradually amidst their busy lives. Piccoma features a rich selection of popular Japanese and Korean works and original content. It also offers a system where tickets or coins can be used to advance the story, allowing users to enjoy manga at their own pace. Its most notable feature is the ability to read manga, Smartoons, and novels all within one app. If you want to explore a wide range of stories, this app is suitable for you.
3. eBookJapan
https://ebookjapan.yahoo.co.jp/
eBookJapan is a long-established e-book sales platform with an overwhelming number of titles. It offers over 500,000 manga, ranging from new releases to classic works. Frequent sales and coupons provide opportunities to purchase manga at low prices. As it is linked with Yahoo! Japan, users can also benefit from accumulating T points. This app is recommended for avid readers who value collection. The distribution system is primarily a ticket system for eight chapters per day, with some works available for free if you wait. Additionally, there is a serialization corner, making it suitable for those who want to read broadly without focusing on a single book.
4. Mecha Comic
Mecha Comic is a manga app that offers a wide range of short stories and original series, with a focus on romance and human drama, making it popular among female users. The app also features many exclusive original works that cannot be found elsewhere. It is frequently advertised and is well-supported as a manga app that is easy to start using. With a rich lineup of popular manga and a high number of available works, it is highly rated. The basic system is a wait-for-free type, with many works available for free for a limited period.
5. Manga BANG!
Manga BANG! offers a system where users can read 8 chapters for free every day. Along with a wealth of free content, it also provides paid content with popular and trending works. It features a wide range of genres, including suspense, action, and sports manga, catering to various preferences. Regular campaigns and sales make it attractive for enjoying manga at a great value. The distribution system uses free tickets, and additional tickets can be obtained by watching ads. It has a simple distribution system compared to many other manga apps.
6. Manga Park
Manga Park, operated by Hakusensha, offers a broad range of works centered on shoujo and seinen manga. It features many well-known works from Hakusensha, making it an attractive lineup for fans. Daily logins provide free tickets, allowing users to read many chapters for free. Coins that regenerate at 6 am and 9 pm can be used to read additional chapters. Since many works consume 30 coins per chapter, users can read up to 8 chapters a day if used efficiently. It specializes in female-oriented manga and offers a range of entertainment, including voice actor radio shows and merchandise sales.
7. Magapoke
https://pocket.shonenmagazine.com/
Magapoke, run by Kodansha, features works from Weekly Shonen Magazine and Monthly Shonen Magazine. It provides free access to the latest chapters of popular series and a service to read past classics. The app also offers a variety of original content. With approximately 2,000 manga available, the number of free chapters per ticket is relatively low. It is particularly recommended for fans of Shonen Magazine and those who enjoy its manga.
8. Manga One
Manga One, provided by Shogakukan, offers a wide range of shonen and seinen manga. Centered on "Ura Sunday" works, it allows users to read many chapters for free daily, with popular series continuously updated. It has a strong selection of battle and suspense genres, appealing to fans of action. The app provides rewards such as "Spirits" and "Sunday" gifts as users read manga, making it a feature-rich service.
9. Manga Box
Manga Box is popular for offering many works for free. It frequently updates with new releases and serialized works, allowing users to engage with new manga. It has a rich collection of original and trending works, covering a wide range of genres. The app also features a system where serialized works are free for a certain period, making it ideal for those who want to read manga casually. It is especially recommended for those looking to discover new works.
10. Zebrack
https://zebrack-comic.shueisha.co.jp/
Zebrack, operated by Shueisha, focuses on works from "Weekly Shonen Jump." The basic system is a wait-for-free model, allowing users to read one chapter per day every 23 hours. While "Shonen Jump+" focuses on original series, Zebrack offers a lineup of classic Jump series. With a rich selection of original content and many free chapters available through ads, it is an attractive app for those interested in unique works.
Conclusion
Japanese manga apps are diverse and each offers unique features. From apps like LINE Manga and Piccoma, which provide a rich selection of free content, to Manga ebookjapan, which offers a vast collection and discounts on purchases, there are options to suit various user needs. Many apps, such as Manga BANG! and Manga Park, offer unique content and benefits, making it easy to choose one that fits your lifestyle and preferences. Whether you're a manga enthusiast or just looking to start, you’re sure to find an app that provides a satisfying manga experience. Find the app that’s best for you and enjoy a more enriched manga life.
