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Hmm not sure I like the amount of videos I'm seeing about how buying used manga doesn't support the industry, and relating it to theft/reading scans
It's a pretty insulated look from within the "collector" community, and forgets a *HUGE AMOUNT* of manga readers are broke kids
It's a pretty insulated look from within the "collector" community, and forgets a *HUGE AMOUNT* of manga readers are broke kids
It absolutely ISN'T theft, in the same way using libraries isn't theft. If you're someone with a sizeable platform, you shouldn't be dissuading your audience from buying legally released books however they can: it's an elitist and gatekeeper-y attitude to only tout "new" as best
Like, I get the sentiment being "well, the money isn't going to the mangaka if you buy used" ... I hate to tell you this but, the mangaka has already recieved the lion's share of their profits from the Eng market via the licensing fees the publisher has ALREADY paid.
Follow-up royalties are great, but the money you put into buying a new book goes to the publisher & the team (translator, letterer, editor, etc AS IT SHOULD! THEY DESERVE MONEY TOO!) rather than the mangaka.
"Supporting the industry" was coined for the *US* publishers.
"Supporting the industry" was coined for the *US* publishers.
And as with ALL publishing, the highest % of your money spent is going to the store you bought it from: RS, B&N Am*zon, etc. It's why they can have sales and set a reduced price at all
Unless you buy direct from the publisher (basically impossible, unless we talk digital)
Unless you buy direct from the publisher (basically impossible, unless we talk digital)
((I may have my facts wrong re: license cost vs royalties breakdown, so I appreciate anyone in the know who can correct me, and it differs between publishers, but the point still stands regardless.))
We want to be encouraging people to support legal releases, full stop.
We want to be encouraging people to support legal releases, full stop.
The better way to "put your money where your mouth is" and support your favourite titles/genres/artists is through preordering if we wanna go that route. It shows higher demand & interest, rather than waiting for a sale for a reduced price (but still "new" books)
Sometimes I think Mangatube forgets that "collectors" are a smaller piece of the pie than they think. Libraries, school clubs, casual fans, people just starting in the hobby are all important parts of the community of readers.
It's a well-intentioned sentiment, but it's also ill-informed, or just outright wrong. Its not a black&white issue
New books are good, great, the best way as a working adult to support your local industry in the hobby...BUT you're not on a moral highground of being a better fan.
New books are good, great, the best way as a working adult to support your local industry in the hobby...BUT you're not on a moral highground of being a better fan.
ALSO this argument is always centered around mangaka & their income, and never about the numerous people who bring the manga to you in English. Translators, letterers, editors, designers, proofreaders, etc ALL deserve to be remembered because they do a very thankless job.
Some of you have never read a mid-2000s Tokyopop release, and it shows. Thoughtful translation and lettering are SO IMPORTANT, and it's only ever noticed when done badly (by the amateur, the overworked&underpaid, the publisher who just doesn't care)
Miura and Oda are sitting atop their billions made in Japan. The english team is scrabbling between freelance jobs & other income to make ends meet
And those scan aggregating sites make MILLIONS from ad revenue and spyware. They're profiting from somebody else's labour (legalities aside of scanlation groups, they're rarely getting paid for their work) at minimum costs
That's absolutely not comparable to buying a used manga
That's absolutely not comparable to buying a used manga
