MangaDex is a widely-used online platform that hosts and shares manga, the popular Japanese comic books and graphic novels. Launched in 2018, it has grown into one of the largest manga aggregation sites on the internet.
The platform offers a diverse range of manga titles in multiple languages, contributed by scanlation groups. Scanlation is a process where fans scan, translate, and upload manga, making it accessible to a global audience.
MangaDex stands out for its user-friendly interface, extensive catalog, and community features. Users can read manga, create reading lists, follow their favorite series, and participate in discussions on forums. Additionally, MangaDex does not host any advertisements, enhancing the user experience by providing an ad-free environment.
Is MangaDex Legal?
The legality of MangaDex is a complex issue. Here are some key points to consider:
Copyright Infringement
MangaDex hosts manga that is often translated and uploaded without permission from the original creators or publishers.
This practice violates copyright laws in many countries, making the site illegal in the eyes of the law. The unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material is a primary reason why many similar sites face legal action and shutdowns.
Image source: MangaDex
Scanlation Ethics
The scanlation community often justifies its actions by arguing that they provide access to manga that might otherwise never be available in certain languages or regions.
Some scanlation groups cease distribution if a manga gets officially licensed in a particular language, showing a degree of respect for the creators' rights.
Image source: MangaDex
Publisher Stance
Major manga publishers and licensing companies view sites like MangaDex as detrimental to their business.
They argue that unauthorized distribution undermines sales and disincentivizes official translations and publications. This is why many publishers actively pursue legal measures against such platforms.
The Bottom Line
Although MangaDex offers a valuable service to manga fans worldwide, its operations are largely illegal due to copyright infringement. Users should be aware of these legal issues and consider supporting legitimate sources to ensure the creators receive compensation.
Legitimate Manga Reading Alternatives
For those who want to read manga legally and support the creators, several legitimate websites offer extensive libraries of manga. Here are some of the most popular options along with their pricing plans:
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- Price: Free with Prime membership
- Features: Very limited selection, includes some older titles licensed by Kodansha.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: Read manga in Japanese.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: English language app for iOS and Android devices.
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- Price: $4.99 per month
- Features: New platform as of June 2021, offering a growing selection of manga.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: Focus on manhua and webtoons.
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- Price: Free
- Features: Available in Japanese and English, offers a variety of titles.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: New platform as of June 2021, provides manga from various publishers.
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- Price: $5.99 per month (Comixology Unlimited)
- Features: Large selection of manga, comics, and graphic novels.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: Smartphone-only access.
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- Price: $7.99 per month (includes anime and drama)
- Features: Extensive library, simulpubs, ad-free reading.
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- Price: $4.99 per month
- Features: Major publishers like Kodansha and Tokyopop, wide selection.
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- Price: $7.99 per month
- Features: Available only on Nintendo Switch, offers manga and comics.
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- Price: $9.99 per month
- Features: Large selection of manga, especially from Kodansha.
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- Price: $4.50-$10.95 per month
- Features: Focus on manga and light novels.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: Specializes in manhwa.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: Variety of manga titles, including niche genres.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: Owned by Coamix, available in Japanese and English.
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- Price: $6.99 per month
- Features: Wide range of genres and titles.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: New as of March 2022, extensive catalog.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: Focus on reviving out-of-print manga.
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- Price: $4.99 per month
- Features: Smartphone-only access, large selection of titles.
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- Price: Free
- Features: Latest chapters in English and Spanish, simultaneous release with Japan.
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- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Features: Owned by Square Enix, new as of summer 2022.
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- Price: $3.99 per month
- Features: App-based, mostly webtoons/manhwa.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: Manga, manhwa, manhua.
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- Price: Varies by title
- Features: App-based, wide selection of webtoons, manhwa, and manga.
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- Price: Rent by title
- Features: Focus on romance manga, especially Harlequin titles.
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- Price: Rent by title
- Features: Specializes in Harlequin romance manga.
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- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Features: Mostly webtoons/manhwa.
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- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Features: Focus on webtoons/manhwa.
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- Price: $8.99 per month
- Features: Large library of manhwa.
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- Price: $1.99 per month
- Features: Access to the latest chapters of popular series, extensive back catalog.
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- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Features: Best on smartphone, focuses on webtoons/manhwa.
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- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Features: App-based, webtoons/manhwa.
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- Price: Free
- Features: Focus on webcomics/manhwa.
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- Price: $2.99 per month
- Features: BL-focused subscription service.
By using these legitimate services, you ensure a legal and ethical reading experience while directly supporting the manga industry, helping creators and publishers continue to bring amazing stories to fans worldwide.
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