After Anime, Crunchyroll ventures into the manga world: A necessary step?

Crunchyroll has established itself as a global staple of anime distribution. Its collection of simulcasts, classics, and originals has increased the coverage of anime, especially in areas where access to it was restricted. However, it has now reportedly been ready to enter the manga publishing business, which has drawn strong criticism in the anime and manga community.

The question of whether this is a must-have measure is yes; Crunchyroll's move into manga would be both strategic and advantageous. Manga and anime are closely intertwined; readership and adaptation usually feed each other. By providing manga with anime, not only would it diversify its business model, but it would also offer fans a more cohesive platform.

To this day, a majority of manga users utilize digital platforms, such as the Viz Media Shonen Jump application, Manga Plus, or manga publishers like Kodansha K Manga and Square Enix. Access, however, is unequal globally. Manga by Viz, as well as offerings from Kodansha and Square Enix, are not widely available in many areas. This leaves fans to rely on piracy or unofficial translations. The entry of Crunchyroll into this market can help address the accessibility gap, enabling publishers outside Shueisha to serve a more global audience better.

Competition with existing digital services may be one of the primary effects. Shonen Jump and Manga Plus are currently leading due to the titles they carry, such as One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Jujutsu Kaisen. Assuming it can license Kodansha or Square Enix, it would provide readers with options that are not very readily available. This would especially appeal to fans who had long desired official access to series not in the Shueisha library.

Business-wise, it is beneficial as Crunchyroll will be diversified. Manga are often sold in conjunction with anime, and when the two are combined, they can capture a larger portion of the fandom's budget. A customer who watches Attack on Titan or Blue Lock on the site can easily transition into reading the manga without leaving the Crunchyroll ecosystem. This synergy would generate loyalty and improve both media.

Crunchyroll and the Expansion Into Manga

Another concern in the move is accessibility and affordability. Not everyone can subscribe to a variety of manga platforms, and most local services are limited or localized. Crunchyroll already enjoys a well-established global presence, and it may be less challenging for them to distribute manga worldwide in a manner that Kodansha and Square Enix have struggled to achieve. Fans in areas that lack access to K Manga, such as those in the United States, may finally be able to read series published by Kodansha via Crunchyroll.

There is also the question of whether it can directly compete with established manga platforms. Shonen Jump and Viz are dominant due to their titles and affordable prices. To be successful, it would require a competitive pricing structure and a robust original content base to attract readers from other platforms. Otherwise, it will be viewed as a complementary service, rather than a core destination for manga readers.

Meanwhile, this growth may also force publishers to re-evaluate exclusivity. If Crunchyroll can obtain a diverse range of content, its users may find it preferable to a scattered alternative. It might also encourage other publishers to cooperate, providing a more organized experience for readers who currently have to use multiple apps and subscriptions.

To fans, the future is more or less good. The manga venture of Crunchyroll could lead to the broader circulation of titles that have traditionally been difficult to obtain outside of Japan. This would be particularly valuable to readers who wish to reward creators under the law but are currently unable to do so due to geographic limitations. When managed well, Crunchyroll would fill a significant gap in the global manga market.

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Pricing, licensing, and execution still pose challenges, yet the prospects of benefiting the global manga readers at large present it as an exhilarating move. To the wider world, it symbolizes a new age of access where anime and manga will be more compatible than ever.

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