Manga Library Z will cease operations at the end of this month. Ken Akamatsu: Strict restrictions on cash flow services may affect the Japanese content industry

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Manga Library Z will cease operations at the end of this month. Ken Akamatsu: Strict restrictions on cash flow services may affect the Japanese content industry

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“Manga Library Z”, an extension of the e-book service “J Comic” led by Ken Akamatsu, announced on November 5 that it would cease operations.

“J Comic” is a free e-book platform founded by Ken Akamatsu in 2010 (officially launched in 2011). In August 2015, it was renamed “Manga Library Z”. The content on the site is mainly out-of-print comics and works that have not yet been digitized. Adult content requires payment to read. Advertising revenue will be returned to the author, and other operating expenses such as server fees will depend on paid premium members.

However, according to the announcement from the official team of Comic Library Z, the direct reason is that the cash flow service announced in September that it would stop supporting it at the end of October (similar to Lanxin and Green World in Taiwan). As a result, major credit cards including JCB and other electronic Payments (except BitCash) are not available. Income for the past months has also been interrupted, resulting in the site being unable to receive membership fees and pay server fees. Although the team conducted emergency negotiations, the “decision based on the credit card company” was still irreversible.

J Comic Terrace, the main operator of Comic Library Z, will continue to promote the “distribution business” of providing works to other platforms or stores to ensure that authors participating in Comic Library Z can get the feedback they deserve, and the team is also considering Convert to a non-profit organization or launch a crowdfunding campaign, and continue to negotiate with all parties to find out the possibility of relaunching the website.

Ken Akamatsu said that BitCash income alone cannot sustain the operation of the website. Even if other cash flow service companies are found, similar problems may occur again, and he does not want to delete some works in exchange for the continued operation of the website.

He further pointed out that this incident yielded several key information, including: the specific basis for the financial service company’s decision to stop support, the content and duration of the penalty, and specific and feasible avoidance plans. This information will become various standards for the future platform. The key to a successful return.

After this incident, we will continue to promote “ACG freedom of creative expression” by referring to the experience of “The Innocence Landlady” being resurrected by Apple’s e-book service Apple Books BAN.

In recent years, cash flow services have set up unprecedentedly stringent conditions and penalties. If not resolved, the problem will not only affect e-books, but also the entire Japanese content industry. As a party “forced to close due to pressure from financial services companies”, we will propose more precise countermeasures and hope to gain everyone’s support and understanding.

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