Manta, a leading subscription-based digital comics platform, says it will add more than 300 web comic titles over the next year. The company is also revamping its in-app currency, GEM.
The company, owned by Korea's RIDI Corporation, launched in 2020 and has become the number one comics app on Google Play in certain regions, including the United States, Mexico, and Spain.
Manta, known for its hit romance titles like “I Became a Real Villain” and “Betrayal of Dignity,” will launch a new season of its flagship title “Under the Oak Tree” on Tuesday and will continue to offer around 50 series from Manta Studios and its partners throughout the month.
Manta, which also has “Solo Leveling,” “Villains Are Destined to Die” and “Daughter of the Emperor,” will add “more than 300 webcomic titles between now and early next year.”
Web animation, a genre of comics designed for mobile phones, has become another Asian entertainment genre with fast-growing international success, following the expansion of Japanese anime, Korean TV dramas, and K-pop. Many web animations offer vertical scrolling, opportunities for new creators, and instantly available content in multiple languages. But business models are still evolving.
Under Manta's GEM system, creators are said to directly benefit from [GEM currency units] The service is used to purchase content, encouraging creators to continue crafting compelling stories. GEM claims to: provide users with flexibility and control; allow them to create a personalized collection of their favorite episodes and stories; and keep them on their digital shelves, making the reading journey unique.
“With our expanding content library, we aim to offer our readers even more variety and quality in online comics storytelling,” said Travis Kim, CEO of Manta. “The GEM model has given us the opportunity to significantly expand our library, offering a broader range of content to cater to diverse tastes. The GEM system creates new monetization opportunities for our talented creators, enabling them to earn more from their work and continue crafting compelling stories. Our goal is to support our readers and creators by providing an unparalleled online comics experience.”
