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5 Best Manga Reading Sites for Otaku

Written by Sera Serinda A

For manga lovers, reading your favorite comics online has become a fun way to unwind after a busy day. Whether you’re coming home from work or college, nothing beats lying in bed and opening a manga site on your phone or laptop.

With just a few clicks, you can dive into exciting stories across genres like action, romance, and fantasy. No need to wait for the print versions to hit the bookstores. Plus, reading digitally is often more affordable and lets you stay up-to-date with the latest chapters, including those not yet officially available in your country.

Here are some of the best legal and official manga websites you can check out, so you can enjoy your reading time without worrying about copyright issues.

1. MangaPlus

MangaPlus_

If you’re a die-hard fan of series like Naruto or Chainsaw Man, MangaPlus is a must-visit. This official digital platform is developed by SHUEISHA, the legendary Japanese publisher behind many hit series. MangaPlus offers a wide range of popular and new titles.

One of its coolest features is Simulrelease, which means you can read the latest chapters at the same time they’re released in Japan. No more waiting or turning to pirated versions.

MangaPlus supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Thai, and more, which make it super accessible for readers worldwide. Beyond classics like One Piece and Naruto, you’ll also find hot new series like Chainsaw Man, SPY×FAMILY, Kaiju No. 8, DanDaDan, and Sakamoto Days.

For free users, MangaPlus is surprisingly generous. Most titles let you read the first three chapters and the latest three chapters for free. You’ll also find unique gems like one-shot manga and select full series available without a subscription.

What I like:

  • Official platform from SHUEISHA
  • Simulrelease feature for same-day Japan releases
  • Supports multiple languages
  • Impressive lineup of popular and new titles
  • Includes one-shots and some free full manga

Things to note:

  • Only the first and last three chapters are free
  • Not all titles are available in every supported language

2. BookWalker

BookWalker_

If you are looking for a legal platform to read both manga and light novels (LN) from top Japanese publishers, BookWalker is worth exploring. Created by Kadokawa, it offers not just manga but also light novels from publishers like Yen Press, Kodansha, and Seven Seas Entertainment.

You can find popular series like The Apothecary Diaries, Arifureta, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime available in full. You can also read a free preview before buying so you know if it suits your taste.

New users get a nice deal with 50% coin back on their first purchase, which is a perfect start to build your collection.

BookWalker also offers audiobooks for major titles like Solo Leveling and Sword Art Online. Keep in mind that audiobooks are pricier than eBooks, which is understandable given the professional narration and production quality.

One of its features that I like is the Custom Bookshelf, where you can store hundreds of digital books and even change the cover art of your favorites. This feature becomes available once you register as a member.

On top of that, BookWalker often gives out special bonuses like wallpapers, short stories, or exclusive illustrations when you purchase certain titles. It’s a nice perk if you enjoy collecting digital items from your favorite series.

What I like:

  • Large collection of manga and light novels from top publishers
  • Free previews and 50% coin back on your first purchase
  • Customizable digital bookshelf to store hundreds of books
  • Exclusive bonuses like wallpapers and short stories
  • Audiobooks available for selected titles

Things to note:

  • Audiobooks are usually more expensive than eBooks
  • Some features require registration

3. INKR

INKR_

Besides manga, INKR lets you read manhua and webtoons legally, so you no longer need to hunt for illegal scanlations. This platform is actually a rebranding of Manga Rock, which shut down due to licensing issues.

Now, it has returned in a legal form under INKR Global, a subsidiary of Kadokawa and an official partner of major publishers like Kodansha USA.

One of INKR’s standout features is its AI-based translation technology, which helps deliver fast and accurate translations across various titles. The AI also tracks your reading habits and recommends hidden gems. For example, if you enjoy Solo Leveling, you will get recommendations with tags like “Read this if you like Solo Leveling!”

The interface is clean and user-friendly. On the reading page, you can zoom in to better appreciate the artwork, which is especially handy when reading on a mobile device.

INKR uses a coin system, where chapters are locked and can be accessed with coins. The good news is you get 2,500 free coins when you sign up, which is enough to try out several chapters right away.

However, due to regional licensing restrictions, some popular titles may not be available everywhere. Also, the translation options are still mostly limited to English, with little support for other languages.

What I like:

  • Legal and backed by major publishers like Kadokawa and Kodansha USA
  • Smart recommendations based on reading habits
  • Minimalist, user-friendly design

Things to note:

  • Some titles are region-restricted due to licensing
  • Chapters use a coin system, so free reading is limited

4. VIZ

VIZ_

As the largest official platform in North America for legal manga reading and anime streaming, VIZ Media is a familiar name among otaku. Supported directly by Japanese publishing giants Shueisha and Shogakukan, VIZ has been a pioneer in bringing Japanese content to the global stage.

From One Piece, Naruto, My Hero Academia, to Demon Slayer, nearly all major Shonen Jump titles are available here. By becoming a Shonen Jump member, you can access more than 20,000 manga chapters, with a daily limit of 100 chapters, which is more than enough for a binge session.

The platform also comes with several handy features to improve your reading experience. You can download chapters for offline reading, sync your progress across devices, and switch on Dark Mode for more comfortable nighttime reading and better battery efficiency.

Want to read for free? No problem. VIZ has a “Read Free Manga” section where you can access popular titles at no cost, simply by signing up as a member.

What sets VIZ apart is its clear manga rating system, which includes labels like T (Teen, for ages 13+), T+ (Teen Plus), All Ages, and M (Mature, for adult content). This makes it easier for users to find age-appropriate content.

What I like:

  • Extensive collection of Shonen Jump manga
  • Offline reading and cross-device sync
  • Dark Mode for comfortable nighttime reading
  • Free manga through the “Read Free Manga” section
  • Clear rating system to filter age-appropriate content

One thing to note:

  • Limited language support, mostly English

5. EbookRenta!

BookWalker_

EbookRenta! is a fairly niche manga reading site, mainly because it focuses on romance, BL (Boys' Love), shojo, and even erotic genres.

Over 70 percent of its collection centers on these themes, so you won’t find many shonen battle series like One Piece here. Instead, you will discover titles like Reincarnated as the Villainess, wholesome BL, or slow-burn stories that are sure to make you smile.

You can start by reading the first chapter of each manga for free. After that, you can either purchase the chapters or volumes to own permanently, or choose the more affordable rental option.

One interesting feature on EbookRenta! is the ability to tag your favorite manga with labels like “Yandere vibes,” “Slow burn romance,” or “Spicy BL.” This helps readers recommend titles to each other and makes it easier to find manga that match specific preferences.

The platform also includes a Review and Rating feature, where you can share your thoughts and rate the manga you’ve read. Plus, it supports offline reading through a download feature for each chapter.

What I like:

  • Specializes in romance, BL, shojo, and mature genres
  • Free first chapter preview for every manga
  • Unique community tagging feature
  • Review and rating system available
  • Supports offline reading after purchasing or renting

One thing to note:

  • Most content is available only in English

When reading manga on these sites, you can enjoy your favorite stories without worrying about legality. This way, you also help support the mangaka directly through legal reading. And if you’re interested in reading manga through an Android app, be sure to check out our article on manga reading apps!

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