I know about sites like Line Manga and Jump+, but Line requires you to be in Japan (I’m not sure if a VPN is enough), and Jump+ seems to have tons of other sibling websites and it’s hard to understand what’s connected and what isn’t.
For example, I wanted to read Jojo’s on Jump+, but if I want to buy the digital volumes separately (instead of their timed trial thing) it redirects me to Zebrack. Is Zebrack their site where you can just buy tankobons (kinda like book walker)? Also what is the Rookie site? If someone can clear up how exactly all the Jump sites are connected and if their point/coin system is connected between them that would be nice haha
One other thing, it seems there’s a ton of sites for different series, like if I wanted to read Jojo I can do it on Jump/Zebrack but if I want to read Made in Abyss I have to go on Webcomicgamma. Do people really go between a bunch of different sites like that?
**Anyway,** let’s say I’m just a Japanese person who just wants to read manga digitally on my computer, because I’m sick of collecting physical volumes. What are my go-to options?
17 comments
I use BookLive. You can use it in the US without a VPN for some reason. Works on your phone too. First time you do payment you have to do it on a computer but they walk you through it. I don’t use it for manga, but I read light novels. They have plenty of manga though. It’s all in Japanese, which I think is what you are looking for.
I’ve had a similar question and someone recommended Honto. Works well for me without a VPN (I’m in Europe) and you can pay with your credit card without issues. They have their own reader app which is not really user friendly, though.
Maybe try asking in r/Japan or a manga community…
Bookwalker.jp works outside of Japan (it is designed to work so you don’t need any VPNs etc) and is a pretty decent website so I use that. They frequently have campaigns, sales etc too. I used to use cmoa.jp too but they finally noticed my credit card wasn’t issued in Japan so I cannot buy stuff there now lol (they were getting the payment, no issued there) and cmoa’s mobile app is not that good anyway either.
-An avid manga reader who mainly buys digital manga in Japanese
I use [cmoa.jp](https://cmoa.jp) from the US, but lots of people use book walker too I hear.
I’ve never asked my friends out here but I’ve seen people use Renta and Kinoppy. Not sure if they are popular though.
I use Renta (https://renta.papy.co.jp/). It doesn’t require VPN and takes my US credit card.
My colleagues and I wrote an article about this which you can read [here](https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/how-to-buy-japanese-ebooks/). We also turned it into a podcast episode which you can listen to [here](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BYb8jQw1UGV1d1eRKA7u3?si=2edQZPRPR82sVcMXXRgwHw&dd=1).
Happy hunting/reading!
You can try Amazon JP for kindle content. You don’t need a VPN or a local credit card (tested with US cc), and you can even subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. The only issue is that the Kindle app can only connect to one account (and it’s not possible to merge) so you need a separate device per account, unless you don’t mind constantly logging in and out.
All you really need is a Japanese iTunes acct which I already assume you have & download a bunch of popular manga apps
Apart from Jump+, I also use Comic Days, Magapoke (Manga Pocket), Booklive, & Bookwalker. **Booklive** is where I buy 98% of my digital manga, including that for Jump — you can even pre-order & it’s available for download on release day right away. Booklive accepts all international credit cards
My most frequently used app/sites for reading manga are **Comic Days, Magapoke, & Yanmaga**; they’re all owned by the same publishing company Kodansha so they have overlapping series too. Yanmaga is web only but it’s very user-friendly & requires no VPN. All accept international credit cards like VISA for coins & such
I use Kindle JP, you can buy and read on the web reader or mobile app..
I can’t fully answer your questions but little by little I have been saving websites like this in my bookmarks
[https://shonenjumpplus.com/](https://shonenjumpplus.com/)
[https://tonarinoyj.jp/](https://tonarinoyj.jp/)
[https://web-ace.jp/youngaceup/](https://web-ace.jp/youngaceup/)
[https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/mangaup/](https://magazine.jp.square-enix.com/mangaup/)
[https://webcomicgamma.takeshobo.co.jp/](https://webcomicgamma.takeshobo.co.jp/)
[https://tadoku.org/japanese/en/free-books-en/#l0](https://tadoku.org/japanese/en/free-books-en/#l0)
[https://www.ganganonline.com/](https://www.ganganonline.com/)
[https://medibang.com/mpc/](https://medibang.com/mpc/)
[https://comic-meteor.jp/](https://comic-meteor.jp/)
[https://www.sunday-webry.com/](https://www.sunday-webry.com/)
These two apps I use:
MangaMee: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.shueisha.mangamee&hl=en_US&gl=US
Jump+ : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.access_company.android.sh_jumpplus&hl=ja
I’ve used so [sokuyomi](https://sokuyomi.jp) to buy manga in Japanese before – I’m able to use Apple Pay, so it doesn’t matter what kind of credit card I have, and no VPN required
Not too sure what kind of selection they have overall because I only really buy one series, but maybe worth checking out
Why does no one use Amazon.co.jp
I’m not a Japanese person but I’ve lived here for 20 years. I buy manga (digital tankobon format) from ebookjapan because they’re on for 35-50% off every Friday, and that gets them down to a really manageable price.
I also follow one series weekly and for that I just buy a physical dead tree copy of the magazine it’s serialized in.
Zebrack works for me outside of Japan/with a us card to subscribe to Ultra Jump so I can read the new Jojo chapters every month, if you’re interested in that. I’ve only used it for subscriptions, so I’m not sure about categories other than magazines. It adds each issue you own to your bookshelf so it’s easy to reread.