Highlights
- Webtoons and webnovels platform Manta is adding manga to evolve into an all-in-one platform and widen its global reach.
- The move positions Manta against rivals like K Manga and Manga Plus.
- Manta’s expansion reflects a shift toward Asian comics globalization and cross-format revenue.
South Korea-based digital comics platform Manta is expanding beyond its core webtoon and webnovels offerings by introducing Japanese manga. The move, announced on April 7, highlights Manta's pivot toward an “all-in-one story platform” spanning manga, webnovels, and webcomics.
Manta's current manga slate includes major IP such as Blue Lock, WIND BREAKER, Medalist, and Attack on Titan, covering romance, action, and sports genres, with additional publisher partnerships planned. Since its global launch in 2020, Manta has accumulated more than 19M cumulative downloads, operating on a hybrid model that blends monthly subscriptions with pay-per-episode purchases.
Manta
Operated by RIDI Corporation, Manta has built its identity around curated webtoon titles across 175 countries. Adding manga to its platform places Manta in direct competition with manga-native services such as Kodansha's K Manga app and Shueisha's Manga Plus, along with cross-format platforms.
RIDI positions the initiative as a way to encourage “fans to explore different types of content seamlessly, reinforcing a fandom-driven ecosystem,” as demand for diversified Asian comics rises worldwide.
How Manta’s Expansion Reinforces Manhwa, Webtoon, and Manga Globalization
The company is also leveraging publisher relationships early, including a promotional campaign with Kodansha offering discounts of up to 90% on over 400 titles between April 7 and 20. Additionally, participating in the promotional event will award redeemable platform currency incentives.
The strategic calculus for Manta’s manga expansion is rooted in cross-format discovery with heightened manga demand in the Western markets. CEO Asher Won stated that “webcomics, webnovels, and manga each have their own unique identity,” and that Manta aims to ensure “more stories can be enjoyed broadly within a single ecosystem.”
The timing aligns with accelerating industry consolidation around digital distribution due to Manga’s globalization. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global manga market was valued at $19.35 billion USD in 2025 and is projected to reach $56.38B by 2031.
Manga digital formats already account for over 72% of consumption, while online channels command nearly 68% of sales, reinforcing the structural demand towards app-based distribution. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Crunchyroll have also accelerated into manga distribution, driven by high demand across markets.
Now, Manta’s move signals that webcomic platforms are increasingly eyeing to capture the manga readership and revenue potential. However, the shift also introduces operational challenges, such as manga licensing and complex territorial rights. Manta’s jump into Japanese manga publishing territory is therefore a structural bet on format convergence and consolidation, where execution will matter more than the announcement for actual gain.
