MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA, the popular digital manga platform, is marking its sixth anniversary with a series of special events for its global fanbase. Launched on January 28, 2019, the platform has become a go-to source for manga enthusiasts worldwide, offering a vast library of titles, many of which are available simultaneously with their release in Japan. To commemorate this milestone, MANGA Plus is presenting exclusive creator interviews and a worldwide T-shirt giveaway.
Exclusive Creator Interviews
As part of the anniversary festivities, MANGA Plus is releasing a two-part interview series featuring eight prominent manga creators. These interviews provide fans with a unique opportunity to delve into the creative processes and inspirations behind some of their favorite series.
Part One: Now Available
The first part of the interview series is already available, showcasing the following creators and their respective works:
- Osamu Nishi and Shiro Usazaki (Ichi the Witch): Gain insights into the collaborative efforts behind this captivating series.
- Tohru Kuramori (Centuria): Discover the creative vision of the author behind this unique manga.
- Kei Saikawa and Akira Takahashi (Hero Organization): Learn about the dynamic duo bringing this popular series to life.
Part Two: Coming Soon
The second installment of the interviews is set to be released on February 4th, featuring these creators:
- Yukinobu Tatsu (DAN DA DAN): Explore the creative mind behind the genre-bending series.
- Masaoki Shindō (RuriDragon): Dive into the world and the artistic choices of this much-talked about manga.
- Kenta Shinohara (WITCH WATCH): Learn about the process behind creating this supernatural comedy series.
Each interview will explore the creators’ storytelling journey, favorite characters, and the unique creative processes that bring their manga worlds to life. This is a great chance for fans to understand their favorite series on a deeper level.
Worldwide T-Shirt Giveaway
Adding to the excitement, MANGA Plus is giving away 20 limited-edition commemorative T-shirts to lucky fans worldwide. The T-shirt features iconic characters from some of the platform’s most beloved series, including:
- One Piece
- Boruto: Two Blue Vortex
- Kaiju No. 8 (Monster #8)
- Chainsaw Man
- Sakamoto Days
- SPY x FAMILY
- DAN DA DAN
- Kagurabachi
This exclusive design brings together a diverse range of characters, making it a must-have for any dedicated manga fan. While the giveaway is open to all users of the platform, it is important to note that delivery may not be possible to certain regions.
A Look Back at MANGA Plus’ Journey
Since its launch in 2019, MANGA Plus has become a significant player in the global manga landscape. It was created by Shueisha to address the growing global demand for manga, providing a platform for fans outside Japan, China and South Korea to access their favorite series.
Mission and Reach
The platform’s mission has always been to deliver manga directly from the creators to the fans. It offers simultaneous releases with Japan, ensuring that readers around the world can enjoy the newest chapters at the same time as their Japanese counterparts. This has been a game-changer for manga fans, eliminating the frustrating wait times associated with traditional publishing models.
MANGA Plus is available worldwide, excluding Japan, China, and South Korea, which have their own established services such as Shonen Jump+. This strategic decision has allowed the platform to focus on underserved markets and cater to a global audience. In addition to English, the platform offers titles in various languages, including Spanish, Thai, Portuguese, Indonesian, Russian, French, German, and Vietnamese, further expanding its reach.
Growth and Milestones
In the past six years, MANGA Plus has achieved significant milestones:
- 2019: Launched globally, providing free access to the latest manga chapters simultaneously with their release in Japan.
- 2021: Announced a redesigned web-app version to commemorate its second anniversary, enhancing the user experience.
- 2022: Announced that all new manga series launched on Shonen Jump+ would receive a simultaneous English release on Manga Plus starting in 2023. Also in the same year, it launched Manga Plus Creators, a service for user submitted manga.
- 2023: Introduced “Manga Plus MAX,” a subscription service, and expanded its offerings with two tiers: Standard and Deluxe, which provide ad-free, unlimited access to its extensive manga library.
- 2024: Celebrated 30 million app downloads in June and marked its 5th anniversary with interviews and discounts.
These accomplishments demonstrate the platform’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to serving the global manga community.
Supporting Creators
MANGA Plus is operated directly by the editorial department in Japan, ensuring that the support from readers goes directly to the manga creators. This approach is a significant benefit of the platform, as it creates a direct line between fans and the artists, fostering a healthy ecosystem for the manga industry. This direct approach not only supports creators financially but also helps them gauge the international response to their work, which is vital for their artistic growth.
MANGA Plus Today
Today, MANGA Plus offers both free and paid options to cater to different readers’ needs.
Free Access
The platform offers the first three and the newest three chapters of most series for free, allowing users to explore and discover new titles without commitment. Additionally, some ongoing manga can be read once for free in their entirety. This makes the platform very accessible to casual readers and those new to the manga world.
Subscription Plans
For avid readers, MANGA Plus offers “MANGA Plus MAX” which comes in two subscription plans, both of which are ad-free and provide unlimited access to manga in English:
- Standard Plan: This plan offers access to all currently serializing manga.
- Deluxe Plan: This plan includes all ongoing and completed manga series, offering a vast library of classic and modern titles.
The availability of titles and the pricing for these plans may vary by region, however both options are available on the mobile app.
Popular Titles
MANGA Plus is home to many popular series, including:
- One Piece
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Chainsaw Man
- My Hero Academia
- Boruto: Two Blue Vortex
- SPY x FAMILY
- Kagurabachi
- DAN DA DAN
- Kaiju No. 8 (Monster #8)
These titles represent the diverse range of genres and styles available on the platform, showcasing the variety and depth of Shueisha’s manga offerings.
The Future of MANGA Plus
As MANGA Plus celebrates its sixth anniversary, it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the global manga community. With its focus on simultaneous releases, creator support, and platform accessibility, MANGA Plus is poised to remain a leading force in the digital manga world. The addition of subscription plans, the expansion of language options, and its commitment to new manga series indicate a promising future for the platform.
The editorial department of MANGA Plus expressed their gratitude to fans for their continuous support and encouraged them to enjoy the interviews and participate in the T-shirt giveaway. They also promised more exciting developments in the coming year, ensuring that manga lovers worldwide will continue to have access to new stories and experiences through MANGA Plus.
This anniversary marks not just a celebration of the past six years but also a look forward to the continued growth and innovation that will undoubtedly shape the future of MANGA Plus. Fans of manga are encouraged to join the festivities and continue their journey of discovery on the platform.
