HOMEWORK: Digital Manga

Topic started by gia on April 13, 2009. Last post by ComradeCrash 2 years, 10 months ago.
Post by gia (3,032 posts) See mini bio Level 13
We've sort of been over this a little bit before, but I want to ask again: do you read manga digitally? If so, is it on your computer or on a mobile device? Why or why not? Do you think you ever would? What are the strengths and weaknesses of digital manga, and do you think those weaknesses can be overcome?
Post by Devilly (5,329 posts) See mini bio Level 10
Both i still have enough money to follow 1 manga series (R+V) and buy a few old and used books which are on sale at the American book store and my local comic store but if i truly can`t buy what i really want to follow i`ll just go read online. So i have no other choice and unless i get a decend job that allows me to get rid off those pesky bill problems i dont see myself buying that much (as in what i usually read online) anytime soon.


Post by Schwindelmagier (314 posts) See mini bio Level 6
Well...let's see, I DO read manga on my PC when it comes to series that are ahead of the English volumes (D.Gray-Man, Bleach) and the series that aren't even licensed in English yet (Kuroshitsuji, Nurarihyon no Mago). Plus, I like the fact that it is free as well! ^^
Post by Baku_Sensei (464 posts) See mini bio Level 10
Schwindelmagier said:
"Well...let's see, I DO read manga on my PC when it comes to series that are ahead of the English volumes (D.Gray-Man, Bleach) and the series that aren't even licensed in English yet (Kuroshitsuji, Nurarihyon no Mago). Plus, I like the fact that it is free as well! ^^"

^ This
Post by damswedon (249 posts) See mini bio Level 16
my very small manga collection is all i have to do with manga at all. but i have used the marvel online viewer once in a while for comics.
Post by gia (3,032 posts) See mini bio Level 13
So so far no one tries to read manga on their phone or iPod?
Post by Baku_Sensei (464 posts) See mini bio Level 10
Something tells me that I'd have to go through a lot of hassle and modding to be able to get it that way. I haven't looked into it though. My laptop is portable enough for me.
Post by Sigue (860 posts) See mini bio Level 8
Seems like it'd be a bit of a pain in the ass to read something like that on such a small screen. I'm fine with my PC. Like most people that read it online, I can't be made to wait until the chapters come out here. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO LUFFY NOW KTHX.
Post by RedRoses (1,437 posts) See mini bio Level 14
I read manga digitally the same way that Schwindelmagier does. I hate waiting for English translated manga to come out because it takes forever but I still prefer the literal book form instead of digital. I only read manga digitally on the computer because my Blackberry has a small screen...

I actually hate reading things on screen because I like to physically hold the book in my hands. Sure, the scanlations you can read online tend to be bigger than the actual book but nothing is supreme when it comes to holding the book while curled up in bed or when on the go. I love holding the book any which way I want.

I don't feel like there is much weakness in digital manga. It's efficiently faster than the actual released manga volumes. The only problem that digital manga has is to battle against fan groups who do scanlations. There really isn't much way to overcome it in my opinion because fan groups tend to not stop their scanlating unless physically told by the publishers to stop (and even then they still might not stop).
Post by gia (3,032 posts) See mini bio Level 13
RedRoses: It depends on the scanlation group, much like with fansub groups. For example, most yaoi scanlators (at least back a few years ago when I was still reading yaoi that way) would drop anything that had gotten licensed, and often even remove the downloads in order to support the licensors. I remember when the big hubbub went down about Libre accusing Central Park Media/Be Beautiful of not having an actual license to Haru wo Daiteita ("Embracing Love") and the scanlation group decided to continue working on the series because of it, it was considered sort of a big deal.
Post by Devilly (5,329 posts) See mini bio Level 10
Actually Rose i do know a group who actually work with the licences and ask money for their best downloads i just cant name them here XD
Post by ComradeCrash (152 posts) See mini bio Level 7
Well for me, I don't mainly.  If I have the time to be on a computer or iPod, I waste my time more productively (Like surf the net, play games, do homework). I like to just lay on my bed after a soul crushing day and read on my bed. This lets me take in more of the art and story. Also since I am staring into a screen most of the day and this gives my eyes a break. Another reason I buy the manga  is because I really want to support the genre so companies keep on publishing it. That being the case, I do tend to be more picky.

I did get some free chapters of manga from the App store  and people seem to do stuff differently.  Like the Princess Ai one I got just has the whole page shrunk into the iPod screen.  On the other hand, Dramacon had the individual panels split into pages.  That way you could actually read everything. The only problem is that you flick your thumb constantly if you just want to read the story. On a side note: I really did like Dramacon and I am planing on buy the Ultimate edition from Amazon soon. Also I think it would be cool to get the iPod version too because its very cheap...

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