Paper vs. Digital Manga – The Upsides & Drawbacks of Each Reading Format (2024)

Fans of Japanese anime and manga have more options than ever before on how they consume the latest content, from watching anime on platforms like Crunchyroll and HIDIVE to Blu-ray DVDs, digital manga platforms like VIZ and of course, print media. Manga fans can enjoy great content either digitally or on paper, but they might not be sure which is better for them.While there's no single definitive answer on whether print or digital media is better, manga fans can decide which works best for them after they weigh the pros and cons of each -- a similar experience that regular book readers have. Price is certainly a factor, as expected, but manga readers should also account for convenience and even their health when choosing how to read their favorite content.RELATED: Naruto and One Piece Fan Uncovers the Manga Creators' Friendly Rivalry

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The Perks of Reading in Digital Manga Format

Paper vs. Digital Manga – The Upsides & Drawbacks of Each Reading Format (1)

In today's ultra-digital world of social media and video streaming services, digital manga and anime platforms are a natural pick for many fans, and most likely, younger fans in particular prefer this method. Digital manga offers a few key advantages, one of which is price. Retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon tend to stock both print and digital versions of manga volumes, and customers can clearly see that the digital volumes are significantly cheaper -- typically, about two-thirds of the print version's price. For cost-conscious manga readers, that's a huge plus, especially in light of how some print manga volumes are rare and out of print, making these far more expensive than usual. Older manga series in particular frequently suffer from having at least a few out-of-print volumes.

Digital manga also has other, smaller advantages that can add up in a consumer's mind. For one thing, digital manga never takes up any physical room, unlike print volumes that take up shelf space. Digital manga volumes also aren't vulnerable to getting wet, lost or torn as print volumes are. As a bonus, since consumers regularly use smartphones, tablets and desktop PCs, reading print manga is highly convenient on those often-used devices.

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Another notable perk of digital manga is that for Western fans in particular, some series simply don't have a print release at all, so digital platforms such as the Manga Plus app, VIZ's website or a Shonen Jump subscription may be the only options to read this content legally. Some series may eventually get print releases, such as Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible, but some fans don't want to wait for a print release, and some series may never get a print version at all. This means that digital manga is a good way to discover more niche titles such as Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable!, You And I Are Polar Opposites, Don't Blush, Sekime-San! and many others.

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The Advantages of Reading Print Manga Volumes

Paper vs. Digital Manga – The Upsides & Drawbacks of Each Reading Format (2)

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Print manga volumes may seem obsolete in the eyes of some manga and anime fans, but they're actually just as relevant as ever, and many dedicated collectors vastly prefer print volumes over digital media. For serious collectors who have the money, space and passion for physical manga, collecting print volumes is by far the more enjoyable and rewarding experience. Even today, many pop culture fans simply need to see and feel their favorite media in person, from comic book omnibuses and trade paperbacks to manga volumes, including deluxe hardback editions that any collector would want to show off. In fact, YouTube has many videos and channels dedicated to collectors showing off their print manga libraries, with some collections having hundreds of volumes, or even several thousand.

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Print manga has other, more minor benefits that may add up surprisingly quickly. Aside from the impressive aesthetic of a complete manga library at home, print manga collectors can enjoy the convenience of print media, which comes in a different form than digital media's convenience. Print volumes never need a solid internet connection or batteries, meaning they're a great pick for waiting in line in a public space or aboard an airplane, bus or train where the internet connection might be iffy. Print volumes are also small enough to be easily stashed in a purse, backpack, travel bag or anything else, just like a tablet or iPad.

RELATED: The Dragon Ball Manga Had Several English Releases - But Which One Is the Best?

Paper vs. Digital Manga – The Upsides & Drawbacks of Each Reading Format (3)

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Print media also appeals to the human body and mind -- an underrated advantage that can make print media more enjoyable overall. Excessive use of electronic screens hurts the reader's eyes and causes strain, such as through reduced blinking, and physical books appeal to the body's desire for physical things. The feel of a manga volume in one's hands, the scent of its pages and the sight of how many pages have been read are all rewarding for many readers. The Junior Library Guild has even cited evidence that young readers who use print media over digital tend to score better on tests, which ties into the belief that reading physical print media is better for memory and data absorption.

As a bonus, as the JLG notes, print volumes don't have the same distractions that digital media does since there are no browser tabs to open or apps to boot up. A book, such as a manga volume, only offers its own content and dodges digital media's notorious problem of endless distractions. The ability to deeply focus on material, whether it's for education or entertainment, is a huge boon in a world that's increasingly criticized for its endless distractions and weak attention spans. If someone wants to truly dive into the ocean of manga and get something out of it, there's a strong case to be made for good old-fashioned paper.

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Paper vs. Digital Manga – The Upsides & Drawbacks of Each Reading Format (2024)

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