Manga Planet, a digital platform providing access to licensed Japanese manga, has recently announced that Stripe, its payment provider, will no longer process payments for its service. This decision comes as a result of Manga Planet’s distribution of R18 (Restricted 18+) content, a move that has triggered a suspension and subsequent ban of their account with the payment processor.
Impact on Manga Planet Users
The immediate consequence of Stripe’s decision is that Manga Planet Pass Holders, previously known as subscribers, will not have their passes renewed through Stripe. Users impacted by the ban will retain access to their current passes until their expiry date, but will be unable to use Stripe for renewals or new subscriptions. Manga Planet has acknowledged that there may be issues during the cancellation of affected passes and advises users to switch to PayPal for continued access to their content.
Potential Issues with Pass Cancellation
Due to the abrupt nature of Stripe’s ban, Manga Planet cannot guarantee a seamless cancellation process for users’ passes. This situation adds complexity for those with existing subscriptions, highlighting the potential disruption caused by the payment provider’s decision.
Why Stripe Banned Manga Planet
Stripe’s decision to cease support for Manga Planet stems from the platform’s distribution of R18 content. This designation refers to material intended for mature audiences, a category that often poses challenges for payment processors due to varying regulations and standards across different regions. Stripe’s action reflects a broader trend where payment providers are increasingly cautious about facilitating transactions for adult-oriented content.
The Broader Issue of Payment Restrictions
Manga Planet is not alone in facing such challenges. Over the past few years, numerous Japanese websites and services, including Nico Nico, Melonbooks, Toranoana, DLSite, Fantia, Manga Library Z, and Fanza, have had payments blocked by services like Visa and Mastercard. This shows a growing trend of payment processors restricting transactions for certain types of content, even if the content is legal and legitimate.
The Future of Payments for Manga Planet
With Stripe no longer an option, Manga Planet is directing users towards PayPal as an alternative payment method. While this provides a solution for now, there are concerns that PayPal may also impose similar restrictions, as its policy also generally prohibits use of their services for adult content. This raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of platforms providing mature content.
Navigating a Complex Landscape
The situation underscores the complex landscape that digital content platforms must navigate, particularly those dealing with content that falls into “grey areas” or is subject to varying international standards. Payment processing is crucial for these services to operate, and disruptions can have a significant impact on their business and user base.
Manga Planet’s Content and Services
Manga Planet offers a service that provides access to officially licensed Japanese manga through subscription, purchase, or rental. The company emphasizes its commitment to supporting artists, publishers, and the manga industry through the legal distribution of content.
A Platform for Licensed Manga
The platform brings together libraries from the former Manga Planet and futekiya manga subscription services, merging them into a single service in April 2023. The company also planned to launch Android and iOS applications, aiming to make their content accessible on various devices.
Content Variety and Accessibility
Manga Planet offers content in English, catering to an international audience. They recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome for optimal viewing, supporting operating systems like Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and iPadOS. However, some users have expressed concerns about the platform’s pricing model, which can include both subscription fees and additional costs for individual chapters or series, especially after the merger of the two services. Some users have also pointed out a lack of synopses and consistent tagging, which makes the experience less enjoyable.
The Importance of Legal Manga Distribution
Manga Planet’s situation also brings up the issue of legal versus illegal manga distribution. The platform emphasizes that all its titles are officially licensed, and they actively combat copyright infringement. Illegal uploads of manga from their site to other websites are considered a violation, and they urge users to report such instances.
Supporting the Manga Industry
By providing a platform for officially licensed manga, Manga Planet aims to support the artists and publishers who create these works. They stress that through subscriptions, purchases, and rentals, users are contributing to the health and sustainability of the manga industry.
Other Platforms and Mature Content
The issue of mature content restrictions also affects other platforms. For example, Nico Nico is ending its Niconico Shunga mature illustration service due to the current social environment and international situation. Additionally, other online marketplaces, such as Etsy, have policies regarding mature content, further demonstrating that content restrictions affect various online businesses.
A Growing Trend of Content Moderation
The decision by Stripe and similar actions by other payment processors and platforms signal a growing trend towards tighter content moderation. This trend stems from different factors, including brand protection, compliance with various regulations, and concerns about social responsibility. As such, companies distributing adult-oriented material must be prepared for additional scrutiny and restrictions.
Conclusion
The loss of Stripe as a payment provider poses a significant challenge for Manga Planet. This incident highlights the growing complexities involved in providing mature content online and the vulnerability of these platforms to decisions made by third-party payment processors. As Manga Planet navigates this issue, they are relying on PayPal and the support of their users to continue offering access to legal manga content. The platform’s future will depend on their ability to adapt to these changing conditions and provide a viable alternative for users seeking access to their mature content offerings.
