Leading Japanese data science company, comici has today announced in English the launch of its new overseas manga platform, “comici MANGA“, which launched in 12 countries inlcuding USA, Canada, France, Spain, Germany, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Indonesia.
This platform brings together an initial 5 manga labels to deliver the storytelling of Japanese creators to overseas audiences.
With further labels planned, comici MANGA has already surpassed 110,000 cumulative downloads since it opened to the public in January. The new platform represents the next step in comici’s vision of a coalition of united manga publishers, as well as the revival of the “magazine-reading” experience during the industry’s golden age.
This platform is accessible via its Official Website, Google Play Store, and Apple App Store.
With more brands planned, manga readers overseas can enjoy titles from five magazine labels at launch through a premium subscription, as well as free and rental options. Labels include:
Comic Growl (BUSHIROAD WORKS)
Kimicomi (KILL TIME COMMUNICATION)
COMIC Ruelle & COMIC Jardin (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd.)
Manga-SPA! (FUSOSHA)
Ohzora Shuppan (OHZORA PUBLISHING CO.,Ltd.)
This platform provides a mix of instantly recognizable works overseas, such as The Ancient Magus’ Bride, as well as fresh titles now available in English, such as Magical Girl Inaba.
Background to launching the “magazine-style” comici MANGA service
The magazine-reading experience during the heydays of manga publishing enabled the discovery of diverse works through recognizable house styles, curated selections, and a mix of veteran and rookie voices, contributing strongly to reading culture.
While instant access and the rapid spread of social phenomena manga are among the strengths of digital reading platforms, now the dominant mode of access, the thread nurturing readers within a magazine has fractured, weakening meaningful discovery. Furthermore, the overreliance on data that prioritizes short-term KPIs has led to market slowdown and genre fatigue.
comici CEO Manda has explained current industry challenges and reasons behind launching comici MANGA, using webtoons and Netflix as examples: Reasons for launching “comici MANGA” in 2026, now that “webtoons” are stagnating (Japanese)
On comici MANGA, readers can experience titles from various labels in batches across genres like fantasy, BL, villainess, and romantic comedy, in the same vein as digital magazines. Batch releases enable regular excitement, delivering a sharp, direct impact to readers. With over 110,000 cumulative downloads already since its launch in January, comici MANGA is positioned to create the ideal environment for publishers to reach international audiences.
comici’s mission: “Bringing manga to the world!!”
Features of comici MANGA
1. A collection of works from a variety of Japanese publishers and labels
This platform covers core genres popular overseas, such as fantasy, BL, villainess, and romantic comedy, from multiple publishers such as Bushiroad Works and Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha.
2. Seamless integration between the web and apps
Reading history and purchase information are synchronized between the web browser and the app, providing a seamless experience worldwide. This allows users to continue reading on the large screen of their PC and enjoy the rest of their reading experience on their smartphone app while on the go, all via a single ID.
3. Exporting “manga magazine culture” developed in Japan
This platform will deliver to manga fans around the world the joy of following a variety of serializations that magazines have always provided. We will present the fun of ongoing manga born when authors, editors, and readers come together as one. comici MANGA is a collection of magazines that reach the world, delivering the latest chapters and creating excitement about current works.
About comici MANGA
comici MANGA is based on the Company’s cross-publisher manga platform “comimaga” and leverages the advanced technology and insights from the Company’s BPaaS (Business Process as a Service/Business Process Outsourcing Service) manga magazine management platform “comici+”, which delivers outsourced solutions to magazine management operations such as updating and managing works, data analysis, advertising management, and store operations. comici MANGA launched on January 8, 2026.
In Japan, publishers use comici+ to build a platform to deliver works to readers digitally. The number of users registered to platforms leveraging the comici+ management platform has surpassed 3 million. Platforms include “Champion Cross” and “Young Champion Web” (AKITA SHOTEN/AKITA PUBLISHING CO.,LTD.) and “Young Animal Web” (HAKUSENSHA Ltd.). Total site visitors across the Company’s Japan-based web services have reached approximately 8 million users, with around 130 million page views monthly.
Source: Press Release
