Some sad news for manga fans today, as digital manga portal JManga is getting ready to shut down its service on May 30. While this will allow folks some time to use their remaining points, any unused points thereafter will be compensated with Amazon gift cards.
The service—a partnership between the 39 prominent publishers in the Japanese Digital Comics Association that was created to offer a legal alternative to pirating manga online—was initially launched in summer 2011. Here’s JManga’s official word on the closing:
It is our deep regret to inform you that JManga.com will be concluding its retail and viewing services on May 30th 2013.
Below is JManga.com’s Service Termination Schedule.
JManga Point Distribution and Sales Termination:
March 13th 2013 at 11:59pm (US Pacific Time)
Digital Manga Purchasing Service Termination:
March 26th at 11:59pm (US Pacific Time)
Manga Viewing Service Termination:
May 30th at 11:59pm (US Pacific Time)
All JManga Members will be issued Amazon Gift Cards for use on Amazon.com as a substitute the amount of unused JManga Paid Points (*1) possessed at March 13th 2013 at 11:59pm.
Refunds will be processed between March 21st 2013 to March 25th 2013 (US Pacific Time).
For further details regarding JManga.com’s retail and viewing service termination, please visit https://www.jmanga.com/urgent-message
As of March 13th 2013 at 11:59pm (US Pacific Time) JManga7.com has concluded its services. JManga7 Premium Members who signed up between February 14th 2013 and March 13th 2013 at 11:59pm (US Pacific Time) will be refunded. For further details regarding JManga7.com’s service termination, please visit the Jmanga7 FAQ at https://www.jmanga7.com/
Hopefully this won’t discourage future endeavors along these lines.