Scan Manga: A Comprehensive Guide

Manga is known for its unique style of Japanese comics in different genres such as action, romance, thriller, horror, and many others, loved by millions worldwide. But a lot of the time your beloved manga isn’t available in the language you want to read, which is what Scan Manga helps you with. 

What is Scan Manga?

Scan Manga is a tool that scans the manga, translates it, and distributes it worldwide. The scan manga will start by sourcing the original manga, scanning pages, cleaning and editing images, translating text, and providing cleaned images after proofreading for maximum accuracy. 

Background of Scan Manga

The concept of scanning manga was started in 1990 by some fans and it was just an underground activity, which quickly gained momentum. However, as technology improved, the methods and tools for scanning manga became more advanced. It was introduced with new techniques, and the process for high-quality scans was improved, along with accurate translation and a high level of editing. 

How Does Scan Manga Work?

Scan Mnaga has 5 main steps that make it work, as mentioned below. 

Sourcing

The first step of how Scan Manga works is by sourcing as in obtaining the original manga, which can be done by purchasing the original manga or looking for digital copies and converting it into a physical one. 

Scanning

The second step of the process is using high-quality scanners on the physical manga pages. A high-quality scanner is a must for a good readable final product.  

Editing and Cleaning

Once the Manga has been sourced and scanned it goes under an editing and cleaning process in which any imperfections are removed, along with enhancement of images, erasing text, and correcting any part that’s not completed correctly. 

Translating 

After the first three steps are done, the mangas are handed over to translators who convert the Japanese language into the targetted language. 

Proofreading 

The final step of Scan Manga is proofreading to look for any errors and ensure that the translation was done right and is accurate. It also goes under Quality control to maintain high standards. 

PS: Check this Ultimate Guide to Find Your Favorite Manga.

Popular Genres Found in Scan Manga

Manga that is scanned can be found in many genres such as romance, action, thriller, horror, sci-fi, and fantasy but some of the most popular genres found are: 

Shonen

Most of the well-known manga such as “One Piece” and “Naruto” are under the “Shonen” genre which is a theme of adventure, self-improvement, friendship, and action. 

Seinen

Mangas are intended for adults (Mostly Males) and typically consist of mature themes, complex characters, and complex plots, some examples of this would be “Vagabond,” “Tokyo Ghoul,” “Berserk,” “One Punch Man,” and “Vinland Saga.”

Josei

Unlike the Seinen Genre which is catered towards males, Josei is for adult women and covers complex realistic relationships, emotional struggles, and career challenges. Some good examples of Josei would be “Nana,” “Chihayafuru,” “Paradise Kiss,” “Princess Jellyfish,” “Honey Lemon Soda,” and “Honey and Clover. 

Shojo

The shojo manga genre caters to young females, and the main focus is often romance, relationships, personal growth, and drama. Notable manga in the Shojo genre include “Maid Sama!,” “Fruits and Basket,” “A Sign of Affection, and “Sailor Moon.” 

Legal Consideration on Scan Manga

While Scanning and translating Manga is legal there can be some unauthorized reproduction and distribution of the material which may be copyrighted. Manga lovers argue that it promotes manga and broadens the audience but some counter it by saying that it undermines creators’ rights and the industry.

Manga Scan Impact on The Industry 

Positive 

Scan-manga has played a big role in making manga popular globally, because it has been introduced to millions of new readers, leading to increased demand for official translations. Therefore, helps the brand be more successful, and provides more motivation to push forward. 

Negative 

While the scan manga has made a big positive impact, it also has made a negative impact on the release of official manga. Knowing manga will be available for free, a lot of the audience waits and doesn’t purchase the original version and goes for the free unauthorized version, which also leads to a loss of revenue for publishers. 

Finding Scan Manga

Finding Scan Manga is not a hard task because there are numerous ways. Some of the popular websites that can be used for finding this scanned manga are MangaDex and Mangahere. Plus, manga communities can also be used to find scanned manga especially those that are based around scanned and free manga. The best way to find these communities is by searching on Social Media or using platforms like Discord and Reddit. 

Alternatives of Scan Manga

If you prefer not using scan manga for reasons such as ethical considerations or anything else, you can use alternative sources such as official digital copies that can be cheaper than the official physical copy. Some platforms like Churcyroll and ComiXology offer a subscription-based plan in which you can access a vast library of manga. 

Conclusion 

Scan Manga has been a great way for the industry to grow, making it available to everyone in the world and introducing millions of new readers. While there are arguments about its ethical considerations which aren’t proven yet, Scan Manga has been known to provide the industry with a positive effect while also having a bit of a negative effect.