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New Poll - Paying for Online Manga
This poll was suggested by unusuallove. As with most polls, there may be a response that you'd like to have, but it's not listed in there. Just choose the best fit for you.
You can discuss the specifics of this poll on our forum here:
http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=21565
You can submit poll ideas here:
http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=3903
Previous Poll Results:
Question: What do you consider yourself as the most?
Choices:
White - votes: 6862 (44.1%)
Black or African American - votes: 846 (5.4%)
American Indian or Alaskan Native - votes: 135 (0.9%)
Asian - votes: 5385 (34.6%)
Hawaiian Native or other Pacific Islander - votes: 145 (0.9%)
Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin - votes: 1603 (10.3%)
Middle Eastern - votes: 579 (3.7%)
There were 15555 total votes.
The poll ended: October 9th 2010
Wow, more whites than Asians. I was kinda thinking it'd turn out the other way...
You can discuss the specifics of this poll on our forum here:
http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=21565
You can submit poll ideas here:
http://www.mangaupdates.com/showtopic.php?tid=3903
Previous Poll Results:
Question: What do you consider yourself as the most?
Choices:
White - votes: 6862 (44.1%)
Black or African American - votes: 846 (5.4%)
American Indian or Alaskan Native - votes: 135 (0.9%)
Asian - votes: 5385 (34.6%)
Hawaiian Native or other Pacific Islander - votes: 145 (0.9%)
Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin - votes: 1603 (10.3%)
Middle Eastern - votes: 579 (3.7%)
There were 15555 total votes.
The poll ended: October 9th 2010
Wow, more whites than Asians. I was kinda thinking it'd turn out the other way...
Comments (limited to first 100 replies)
» kanosa on October 9th, 2010, 11:35am
For buying manga, I'd rather have a physical copy that I can put on my shelf rather than a digital copy that could be wiped out with a single virus.
Anime is already provided for free viewing online by the license holders. I'm thinking they get their revenue from ads. It'd be nice if that could be done with manga.
Anime is already provided for free viewing online by the license holders. I'm thinking they get their revenue from ads. It'd be nice if that could be done with manga.
» kanosa on October 9th, 2010, 11:37am
Excuse me, "by some license holders." Like what was done with FMA 
And you can put manga books in a collection ~
#46 and #47 of Bleach, anyone? ;D
And you can put manga books in a collection ~
#46 and #47 of Bleach, anyone? ;D
» cliff on October 9th, 2010, 10:42pm
i'm all for manga that I can touch and reread whenever I feel like it. I read online manga only if 1) it's not published in my country, 2) if it's something that I like without all the censorship. And I only buy something that I will reread again. Those books like Lovely Complex, Slam Dunk... I will buy those books definitely (and hope the translation won't be crappy). Often I also went online to find manga that took me forever to wait for the next volume to go out. I just can't wait. I will still buy it though when the physical things published if I like the manga
» friedo.obrain on October 16th, 2010, 9:17am
I also prefer physical copies of my reading material but i think saying it could be wiped out with a virus is an weak excuse... Aside from the fact that you could probably have server side backups, your physical copies aren't much safer... Fire, spilled Water/milk/coffee, a collapsing ceiling...
» naikan on October 9th, 2010, 12:05pm
I'm happy to purchase most of my manga and other books as a digital ebook. These books are backed up by the seller's server so I can redownload them if they are accidentally deleted. In fact, ever since I got my Kindle, I've purchased a lot of manga that I would never have purchased otherwise because the price was more reasonable and I could get it instantly.
On the other hand, I would not pay for a form of online manga that would require me to read it from my computer.
On the other hand, I would not pay for a form of online manga that would require me to read it from my computer.
» HoshiRyo on October 15th, 2010, 12:36pm
That's actually my feeling about it -- the only way I'd really be content with one which requires online reading is if that's the subscription option, and even then I'd want some sort of perk to go with having subscribed. What comes to mind would be something along the lines of discounts on ebook/hardcopy, especially if it's in the form of a discount on anything ordered via the site's store, and certainly the option of some exclusives/early opening of preorders for limited edition items.
» ayashe on October 9th, 2010, 2:39pm
I chose "Yes, it's good to support mangaka" but it really depends. The quality of translation, how often chapters were available, the range of manga offered, and of course the price and type of payments.
» ichigo_daisuki on October 9th, 2010, 3:33pm
I agree ^_^
» plumcrazy926 on October 9th, 2010, 3:49pm
I chose 'Yes, it's good to support mangaka' but if I buy manga online it would have to be rather cheap, since it's not a hard copy. I like the way emanga.com does it. pay for points, and you can 'rent' manga for rather cheap. That's the only way I will pay for manga online.
» Mikashi on October 9th, 2010, 4:04pm
Old Poll. I didn't vote, I couldn't realy decide a choice. I technically consider myself to be a mutt XD (I have like, seven? ethnicities. I think.)
New poll: I prefer it to be a physical copy in my possession, if there is no way that a manga I like would come over, than I may contemplate it (buying it online, that is). But it depends, really.
New poll: I prefer it to be a physical copy in my possession, if there is no way that a manga I like would come over, than I may contemplate it (buying it online, that is). But it depends, really.
» Toto on October 9th, 2010, 4:12pm
That is a pretty nice total vote number.
» mirahsan2 on October 9th, 2010, 4:44pm
I'd only pay if there was a promise of no censorship and because of translation factors that there be explanations of cultural differences and etc. These two things never come to proper frution so I never buy manga as of right now digitally or physically. Remember that censoring with FMA, I think someone was referencing that above, stuff like that really irritates me. Oh also person above what if the server, or at least the company of the server goes out of business, then what? Maybe there would be a program to let another co. takeover the licenses but still.
» kawaiiairbender on October 9th, 2010, 5:23pm
Do you find censorship more morally reprehensible than say stealing?
» mirahsan2 on October 9th, 2010, 6:35pm
I'm not blaming you or anything but this is the problem with the internet, people only read things the way their mind sees it. Of course I'd legally pay I'm just saying I don't like when the "truth" of sorts is covered up just to "shield" me from something someone might think I don't understand or maybe I'm not old enough to understand. Like what happened in FMA, a character tied up to a rock that was in the shape of a cross, and just to avoid any criticism the cross like rock was edited into a round rock. Why does something like that have to happen? It's not really a big deal but why? Is some church group gonna freak out? They always freak out...sorry don't mean to insult churches.
» kawaiiairbender on October 9th, 2010, 7:28pm
I'm sorry I assumed that since you said you don't pay for manga you dled it but I guess you check it out/read at the store.
Well I can honestly say I don't mind censorship sometimes. (For example, I have no problem with Germany's laws against hate speech.) It's not a big deal to you but it might possibly be a problem to some people. (It bothered me honestly, though I do know some Christians who have no problem with it.)
I think censorship in that case wasn't because they didn't think the audience wouldn't understand but they could find it offensive (making light of their faith) or showing something that was very hurtful for them. I mean I can understand how people can't stand censorship, because revisionist history really disgusts me but I'm not too worried about one panel in the whole manga being changed.
(I guess my last sentence could be seen as hypocritical but I think it's like this. Stealing is wrong but there is a difference between grand larceny and petty theft.)
Well I can honestly say I don't mind censorship sometimes. (For example, I have no problem with Germany's laws against hate speech.) It's not a big deal to you but it might possibly be a problem to some people. (It bothered me honestly, though I do know some Christians who have no problem with it.)
I think censorship in that case wasn't because they didn't think the audience wouldn't understand but they could find it offensive (making light of their faith) or showing something that was very hurtful for them. I mean I can understand how people can't stand censorship, because revisionist history really disgusts me but I'm not too worried about one panel in the whole manga being changed.
(I guess my last sentence could be seen as hypocritical but I think it's like this. Stealing is wrong but there is a difference between grand larceny and petty theft.)
» kawaiiairbender on October 9th, 2010, 5:17pm
22% of ya'll can't afford it? Net comics does like a chapter for $0.25 usd. (To read 9 volumes of Operation Liberate Man was only like $10 compared to the $90 you'd pay for the actual physical copies ) I'd buy them, if that was the only way. I prefer owning a physical copy though. But if I couldn't find it anywhere then maybe and I really wanted to read it. I'd definitely buy it
I thought that the last poll or rather the comments that the poll got where really interesting.
I thought that the last poll or rather the comments that the poll got where really interesting.
» mattai on October 11th, 2010, 5:09pm
I'm reading about 10 chapters of manga a day at the moment (more if I'm catching up to a series), this is $2.50 a day, $17.50 a week, $75.00 a month. I'm a student (read: poor). Can. Not. Afford.
Based on age polls I've seen on the site, a lot of people here are students, hence the number of people who voted as not being able to afford it.
Based on age polls I've seen on the site, a lot of people here are students, hence the number of people who voted as not being able to afford it.
» kawaiiairbender on October 15th, 2010, 5:28am
Is it really necessary for you to buy that much manga a week? Um no it's really not. If you can't afford something then you do with out (if it's not a neccessity) do I want a pair of $2000 louboutins? Yes, yes I do. Can I afford them, no no I can not. So guess what?! I don't get them.
» mattai on October 16th, 2010, 12:09pm
And the poll was whether or not you would be able to afford it...I'm not sure what your point is
» kanosa on October 9th, 2010, 11:02pm
Actually, I may pay if it keeps up with Japan's releases and if it's based on a subscription type of deal.
» Li7hium on October 10th, 2010, 3:18pm
I would actually pay for it if they keep their prices low... The main reason i don't buy manga right now is because most of the distributors overcharge their costumers and that i can't agree with.
Also, i think the online view can be free of charge and still generate a lot of money for the mangaka. I mean, one of the reasons online manga sites are being closed is because of the money they are making (and sometimes it is a lot) thanks to other people's work (both mangaka's and scanlators). So, if the japanese manga companies take this example, they can make it free and still be able to get profit out of it, and not to mention that they'll still be selling the volumes in physical paper, as that's actually what most people prefer (i at least do).
Also, i think the online view can be free of charge and still generate a lot of money for the mangaka. I mean, one of the reasons online manga sites are being closed is because of the money they are making (and sometimes it is a lot) thanks to other people's work (both mangaka's and scanlators). So, if the japanese manga companies take this example, they can make it free and still be able to get profit out of it, and not to mention that they'll still be selling the volumes in physical paper, as that's actually what most people prefer (i at least do).
» Dass Jennir on October 10th, 2010, 5:12pm
I wouldn't pay for a online manga.
I prefer having a paper volume in my hands.
I prefer having a paper volume in my hands.
» kaloo on October 10th, 2010, 5:16pm
I am way for physical and hate when companies try to publish things digitally. I mean software I've kind of come to accept digital distribution for but for a book or a movie or pretty much anything if I'm going to pay my money I'm going to get something I can hold in my hands.
» Pikapu on October 10th, 2010, 10:19pm
"Wow, more whites than Asians. I was kinda thinking it'd turn out the other way..." Really? I wasn't surprised. 
I mean considering that there are users in Europe, I would think there would be more whites. We're a close second though! Haha.
I mean considering that there are users in Europe, I would think there would be more whites. We're a close second though! Haha.» FSX on October 11th, 2010, 11:17am
I would pay for it if I get good quality and if it's cheaper than a paper volume. And it also must not be "only available in the USA", because that stops me from buying music from online stores.
» hybras on October 12th, 2010, 9:14pm
Considering I buy physical manga by the truckloads per year. I'd still prefer physical copies. But I would still probably buy duplicate e copies only for the like top 5 most favourite author/seris. At this point, I doubt my contribution would amount to anything compared to the quantities I buy in physical medium.
The truckload was a metaphor, I don't own a comic store, but I do buy bags full of manga, that's reality.
The truckload was a metaphor, I don't own a comic store, but I do buy bags full of manga, that's reality.
» Teesh on October 13th, 2010, 4:12pm
I like non-digital manga. I'll be willing to pay, but most of the manga I like isn't available in my area. (Yankee-kun to Megane-chan, Ai Kora, Mysterious Girlfriend X, etc)
If there's manga for sale online (scanlated) I probably won't buy it though....
If there's manga for sale online (scanlated) I probably won't buy it though....
