Ken Akamatsu’s Manga Library Z is Shutting Down

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Ken Akamatsu's Manga Library Z is Shutting Down

Key Takeaways

  • Manga Library Z shutting down is a significant loss for fans of manga, especially given the scarcity of out-of-print titles.
  • Ken Akamatsu’s initiative aimed to combat piracy by offering rare manga for free with creator permission, splitting ad revenue.
  • Manga Library Z encountered issues with payment services, leading to discussions about possible crowdfunding or becoming a non-profit.

As a longtime manga enthusiast and collector, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia and sadness with the impending closure of Manga Library Z. For years, this platform has been my go-to source for rare, out-of-print titles that were otherwise impossible to find. It was like a treasure trove for manga fans, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Japanese comics that might have otherwise been lost to time.

Reflecting on today’s abundance of content, I often find myself amazed at how vast the anime and manga world has grown compared to two decades ago. The advent of streaming platforms and subscriptions has made it incredibly convenient to legally access this media, yet I can’t help but worry about the significant amount of media being lost in our current era. Moreover, the shift away from physical media seems to be gradually blurring the lines of ownership, a concept that once felt more tangible and secure.

Starting November 26th, the Manga Library Z created by Ken Akamatsu will cease operations. This popular platform offered access to hard-to-find, out-of-print manga for free, making it a valuable resource for manga enthusiasts. Unfortunately, this closure is another blow in a year that has already seen the loss of significant platforms and producers like Funimation and Gainax, leaving many manga fans feeling the impact.

The History of Manga Library Z

Partly An Attempt to Curb Piracy

Ken Akamatsu's Manga Library Z is Shutting Down

Ken Akamatsu, both a Mangaka and a Politician (famous for creating Love Hina,, Negima!, UQ Holder!) declared in November 2010 his intention to start a service called “J-Comi”. This platform aimed to share manga that were no longer in print, for free. The initiative was partly driven by the rise of unauthorized scanning and uploading of manga. The site offered rare out-of-print manga with the creators’ consent, featuring advertisements. The earnings from these ads would be distributed among the creators involved. Akamatsu kickstarted a beta version of this website, offering all 14 volumes of his extremely popular Love Hina manga series.

Before the beta release, Akamatsu also showed interest in showcasing self-published works (dōjinshi) on the platform, which are based on existing titles, and was seeking a legitimate way to do so by obtaining authorization from the original creators. Since Japan doesn’t have fair use laws, any unauthorized parodies or depictions of existing works are considered copyright infringements. However, it is well-known that the world of self-published derivatives of existing works, such as at events like Comiket, operates outside the scope of copyright laws due to an understanding that distributing dōjinshi serves a promotional purpose.

Akamatsu proposed that the earnings from the sale of dojinshi on the website should be shared fairly between the original creators and the dojin creators, whenever possible. However, since dojinshi are often considered illegal, the creators have limited options to protect their work if it’s widely distributed without permission. This is only avoidable when the original creators themselves have given permission for derivative works based on their creations. Notably, publishers Shueisha and Kodansha started working with the site in 2010, an international version was launched in 2011, and in 2015, management of the service shifted to Yahoo! Japan subsidiary GyaO!’s J Comic Terrace subsidiary, which was established together with Akamatsu.

As a result, the site was rebranded as Manga Library Z, offering a premium experience for its patrons. Unfortunately, Manga Library Z is closing down because of complications with credit card providers and the termination of their payment services. There are ongoing discussions among staff about the platform’s future, which may involve launching a crowdfunding campaign or transitioning into a non-profit organization to continue providing manga content.

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2024-11-24 20:54