Site Update - 14th of May 2025

[kn4ll]

I wholeheartedly agree yeah. Most decent pirates will instead say you should support the publisher if you like the product. This extends from scanlation to video games, software etc., and goes as far back as groups like Razor1911 or Skidrow in the 2010s.

In the context of MD though, it costs money to run this website. A lot of money. Far more than they're actually making from us supporters, and possibly more than they'd make from running ads.

Yeah, I think more groups should link to Japanese raws and encourage people to buy them to support the manga and keep it going. I've been doing it for four years since I started scanlating. There are links to raws on the titles pages, but for some reason or another people don't seem to even know about them.

 

[kreahleiser]

Yeah, I think more groups should link to Japanese raws and encourage people to buy them to support the manga and keep it going. I've been doing it for four years since I started scanlating. There are links to raws on the titles pages, but for some reason or another people don't seem to even know about them.

I think MD itself makes a point of linking to the raws and even official English usually, somewhere near the tags. Honestly I've seen some official translations uploaded here by publishers too.

They could, in theory, not link to the official sources and say it's the duty of uploaders to reference the originals as part of the upload rules. That moves responsibility out of their hands a bit.

 

[chinchiro_addict]

Making money on piracy is pants on head retarded though. If you're into scanlation for making money, you're completely in it for the wrong reasons.

what if i have a sick mother i stay at home every day to care for HUH???

 

[curvedtree]

It is kinda sad seeing translations removed that will never get an official release and I won't be able to literally give them money for it.

 

[T-sama]

Yeah, I think more groups should link to Japanese raws and encourage people to buy them to support the manga and keep it going. I've been doing it for four years since I started scanlating. There are links to raws on the titles pages, but for some reason or another people don't seem to even know about them.

I think MD itself makes a point of linking to the raws and even official English usually, somewhere near the tags. Honestly I've seen some official translations uploaded here by publishers too.

They could, in theory, not link to the official sources and say it's the duty of uploaders to reference the originals as part of the upload rules. That moves responsibility out of their hands a bit.

Sorry but I disagree, linking to official version, bet it Japanese raw or official translation wouldn't really help, if mangaka and publishers could they would take down every single site like mangadex, it's not about doing scanlation the right way, it's about principles.

Vast majority of mangaka and publishers simple don't want piracy altogether.

Proof of what I mean? Just look at Nintendo new Eula, now to try fight modding and piracy they can literally brick your Switch if they suspect you're doing it.

Unless you're from Europe that is lol, due to their stronger consumer protection laws.

My point is, nothing we do will appease mangaka and publishers.

 

[Angry_Panda]

It is kinda sad seeing translations removed that will never get an official release and I won't be able to literally give them money for it.

This, to my mind, is the real shame - yes, the publishers aren't getting anything for these series from the non-Japanese audience, but they'd already made up their mind to not pursue that audience.

The entire industry probably needs a rethink at this point, but that's sure as hell not likely.

 

[sadmanex]

This seems to be their intention, but it may take a bit of time.

i wish for it too. so i hope it happen soon

 

[tempJKI]

Yeah, I think more groups should link to Japanese raws and encourage people to buy them to support the manga and keep it going. I've been doing it for four years since I started scanlating. There are links to raws on the titles pages, but for some reason or another people don't seem to even know about them.

It's more likely because not everyone could properly navigate the website without google translate, and even then, the translations are dubious at best.

I kinda remembered trying to purchase the raw, but couldn't figure out if I was in the right path. It is possible because they don't allow raws to be purchase from the official raw websites as they will later be removed and compiled into a Tankobon (volume) instead.

 

[Morose]

@T10_ Just wanted to know.
Are there any more DMCA strikes incoming to MD for other series?

I mean, people have been saying that MD Staff had known about this incoming mass take-down for a few months.

So, it would be helpful if it's already clarified beforehand which other series might be hit if there is another Strike incoming.

 

[kreahleiser]

Sorry but I disagree, linking to official version, bet it Japanese raw or official translation wouldn't really help, if mangaka and publishers could they would take down every single site like mangadex, it's not about doing scanlation the right way, it's about principles.

Vast majority of mangaka and publishers simple don't want piracy altogether.

Proof of what I mean? Just look at Nintendo new Eula, now to try fight modding and piracy they can literally brick your Switch if they suspect you're doing it.

Unless you're from Europe that is lol, due to their stronger consumer protection laws.

My point is, nothing we do will appease mangaka and publishers.

See I 100% agree with you yes. I'm just trying to be a centrist Andy, and discussing more the morality of pirates themselves.

Piracy is the bane of their existence, even if it does little to harm actual sales. They just can't stand a breach of their shitty little legally dubious documents. Nintendo bricking your Switch is a prime example.

The thing is, until they provide a good alternative, piracy will exist. We saw movie piracy go down a fair bit when Netflix and Amazon started selling movies and shows for more affordable prices and were easy to use. The app I've mentioned earlier on in this thread, I only use it because I can't find the manga in question elsewhere, easier. As it sits, me throwing £2 at whoever the publisher is using Google play wallet is easier than going onto Nyaa or wherever the hell to find a half decent translation.

But easier than that is simply loading up MD and searching the name. If it was on here, I'd likely read it here instead. Not due to the money, aspect but because a) it's easier and b) theyre using predatory tactics on their service instead of simply selling the entire chapter. I, on principle of being a human being with even a little self respect, don't respond well to blatant exploitative practices if I can avoid it.

 

[BakedBanana]

what if i have a sick mother i stay at home every day to care for HUH???

I'll never forget this comment made about that translator.

 

[T-sama]

See I 100% agree with you yes. I'm just trying to be a centrist Andy, and discussing more the morality of pirates themselves.

Well you better stop, or else grabs Ultrakill buttplug

The thing is, until they provide a good alternative, piracy will exist.

That will never happen though, cause Capitalism Ho!

But easier than that is simply loading up MD and searching the name. If it was on here, I'd likely read it here instead. Not due to the money, aspect but because a) it's easier and b) theyre using predatory tactics on their service instead of simply selling the entire chapter. I, on principle of being a human being with even a little self respect, don't respond well to blatant exploitative practices if I can avoid it.

Shame Japanese are too used to being exploited, so publishers think the same will work in the west lol

 

[T-sama]

Piracy is the bane of their existence, even if it does little to harm actual sales. They just can't stand a breach of their shitty little legally dubious documents. Nintendo bricking your Switch is a prime example.

Accidentally skipped this part, although you're right on publishers side, I do think there's cultural aspect too, cause even if it's uploaded for free many mangaka and artists get really pissy if their stuff is uploaded somewhere else.

And before someone say anything, it's not the same as in the west lol, western artists of course also get pissed, but they know that's how internet rolls, I've seem Japanese artist get pissy and surprised that it happened at all, as if they never thought it was possible.

So even if you ignore sales, laws and whatever, many would still be completely against what we do out of principle due to different cultural values.

 

[Xanhomey]

this DMCA has knocked almost half the manga, i've been reading, or had on hold for more chapters. Frankly i haven't been this frustrated since Mangadex went offline some years ago, and this attack almost makes me want to just stop reading manga altogether if we can't read anywhere without fear of losing what we're reading.

People dunk on them, but there's a reason why aggregator sites exist.

Almost everything that was taken down here is elsewhere anyway. Mangadex hasn't been my main source since the breach, and I'm guessing that has been the case for many.

Not attacking you or anything, but the first downtime really should've made it clear to people that relying on one website is a bad idea.

 

[T-sama]

People dunk on them, but there's a reason why aggregator sites exist. Wanna know something?

Almost everything that was taken down here is elsewhere anyway. Mangadex hasn't been my main source since the breach, and I'm guessing that has been the case for many.

Not attacking you or anything, but the first downtime really should've made it clear to people that relying on one website is a bad idea.

People are lazy and get complacent, I know I'm guilty of that, got like 3.5k subscriptions here cause it's convenient lol

 

[kreahleiser]

Well you better stop, or else grabs Ultrakill buttplug

That will never happen though, cause Capitalism Ho!

Shame Japanese are too used to being exploited, so publishers think the same will work in the west lol

People being used to corporate exploitation to the point they just accept it is just... Horrific. We're already in an ancap dystopia lmao

Accidentally skipped this part, although you're right on publishers side, I do think there's cultural aspect too, cause even if it's uploaded for free many mangaka and artists get really pissy if their stuff is uploaded somewhere else.

And before someone say anything, it's not the same as in the west lol, western artists of course also get pissed, but they know that's how internet rolls, I've seem Japanese artist get pissy and surprised that it happened at all, as if they never thought it was possible.

So even if you ignore sales, laws and whatever, many would still be completely against what we do out of principle due to different cultural values.

Honestly, if I created something and was selling it, I'd be angry too if it was reuploaded elsewhere without my knowledge, for more of a moral reason. But, I'd probably also just be happy with just receiving credit. I'm adult enough to take a step back and look at the big picture. And smart enough not to make something unreliable like variable sales my main income. That's what confuses me most about mangaka, they rely purely on it often which puts them entirely at the mercy of others, be it fans or publishers.

 

[bluenoirblues]

if not all the chapters were taken down, is it still safe to continue uploading scans? Or is the writing already on the wall that the whole series is to be removed from mangadex?

 

[Angry_Panda]

Honestly, if I created something and was selling it, I'd be angry too if it was reuploaded elsewhere without my knowledge, for more of a moral reason. But, I'd probably also just be happy with just receiving credit. I'm adult enough to take a step back and look at the big picture. And smart enough not to make something unreliable like variable sales my main income. That's what confuses me most about mangaka, they rely purely on it often which puts them entirely at the mercy of others, be it fans or publishers.

This is why I got out of the arts, at least as a job, and now hold down a desk from 9-5 (or thereabouts).

 

[Angry_Panda]

Note that an informal thread about the takedown has been opened here - it probably wouldn't hurt to migrate the discussion about that over, and leave this thread to its nominal original purpose.

if not all the chapters were taken down, is it still safe to continue uploading scans? Or is the writing already on the wall that the whole series is to be removed from mangadex?

Probably wouldn't continue, if it was me - the plan appears to be that the remaining chapters will be coming down soon.

 

[kreahleiser]

if not all the chapters were taken down, is it still safe to continue uploading scans? Or is the writing already on the wall that the whole series is to be removed from mangadex?

View attachment 21975
Well according to them, unfortunately no. Sad times, really.

I'm hoping this answers the question. People were asking something along the same lines earlier, and I think the screenshot christan attached is relevant.