Digital Manga has jumped headfirst into the web manga world with a new site, emanga.com, that will put entire volumes of manga online. The model looks like it’s similar to Netcomics: readers pay (in points) to read a volume online for a limited time; if they “rent” the volume again, though, they will get unlimited reads.
The first 100 readers to regster get 400 points, so go check it out now; I’ll review it in a little while. Full PR below the cut.
DIGITAL MANGA INC LAUNCHES ONLINE MANGA SITE
(Los Angeles, August 12, 2008) – Digital Manga Inc, one of the industry’s most unconventional and innovative companies, is pleased to announce the launch of emanga.com Beta – the industry’s first publisher sponsored manga rental site. “We are pretty excited,” explains marketing manager Rachel Livingston. “Everyone asks if we do digital comics since our name is Digital Manga. I can finally say yes!”
At emanga.com, customers can view sample pages for free or view the entire book by paying for a time-based rental. “All content available through eManga is streamed to your computer through Adobe Flash player,” explains Director of Operations Miguel Balauag, “You can trade eManga points to rent titles for a limited amount of time. If you later decide to rent the same title again, it will be automatically upgraded to an “unlimited” rental, which does not have time restrictions.” The emanga.com site features a unique manga viewer that allows readers to view single pages, double page spreads, or each individual panel. In some cases, readers will be able to press play and have the panels scroll automatically for a hands free experience. “We are trying to get some of the people in the office to do voiceovers for a few of the titles,” teases Production Manager Wendy Lee. “With the player, the possibilities are endless!”
The site will be in beta testing for the next month. Readers are invited to take a look at the free samples currently available on the site – including L’ Étoile Solitaire by Yuno Ogami – and email us at support@emanga.com with any comments or feedback. The first 100 readers to register will receive 400 free points with which to purchase additional content.
Nifty! When I heard about Netcomics making this move I was initially skeptical, but I find that I really love having the option of paying less to read things electronically. Space for more physical manga is really becoming a rare commodity around my house!
It’s…all…yaoi…
What about people who are disgusted by yaoi? They are kind of limiting themselves with that.
Maybe soon there will be a site with respectable titles on it for people who actually want to read real manga.