If you cannot get sufficient of manga and different graphic novels, it’s possible you’ll be thrilled to listen to that Google has unveiled a brand new devoted comics part within the Play Retailer. The search engine big has launched a curated comics nook, positioned as a class on the high, permitting you to scroll by its assortment of comics-related content material.
The brand new comics area debuted on Wednesday — however there is a catch. Solely customers in Japan have entry to the brand new comics assortment.
What does the brand new ‘comics’ part seem like?
Regardless of being primarily based within the U.S., I bought the chance to scroll by the brand new comics part. There is a “Manga for you” characteristic that populates customized suggestions. Google mentioned that this part will “learn” to regulate to your style, relying on what you devour.
Uncover new webtoons by way of the Google Play Retailer
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
My favourite half, nevertheless, is the “Sample a Chapter” part, which provides you free previews of choose comics. I used to be in a position to flip by some hanging, lovely manga, however sadly, I can not learn Japanese, so I could not grasp the total depth of the content material and themes.
It is not simply comics which might be featured within the new hub. I additionally noticed a “Check trending anime” part with a carousel of YouTube movies taking part in clips from fashionable anime corresponding to One Piece. If one piques your curiosity, Google Play will helpfully direct you to the place you’ll be able to watch episodes in full.
A free preview of comics by way of the Google Play Retailer
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Tapping into some customers’ itch to find contemporary content material, there are additionally Google-curated sections to assist customers discover and discover new webtoons (i.e., scrollable digital comics designed to be learn on smartphones) and comic-based apps which will fulfill fanatics.
Mashable Gentle Pace
Will Google Play’s new ‘comics’ part grow to be out there within the U.S.?
Google partnered with a number of well-known Japan-based comedian publishers to debut the brand new comics nook within the Play Retailer, however as talked about, not everyone seems to be invited to the get together. Interested in Google’s enlargement plans for the brand new part, we requested the large tech firm whether or not it should roll out the brand new characteristic for U.S. customers, too.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
The brief reply is possibly.
Google mentioned it is at the moment testing the comics area in Japan as a result of the fanbase for comics — manga, particularly — is immensely passionate in that exact area of the world.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
If all goes effectively with the Japanese market, there’s an opportunity that U.S. customers may have the chance to take pleasure in the brand new comics part, too. However to be clear, the U.S. market is not on its radar simply but. Curiously, one report claims that India, Thailand, and China are the highest three international locations with the best variety of comedian e book readers, with Japan notably lacking from the listing.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Whereas there are lots of comedian e book readers within the U.S., comedian e book gross sales plummeted in 2023. Based on a 2021 report from Morning Seek the advice of Professional, 38% of U.S. adults learn comedian books. Per a 2019 survey from the Nippon Analysis Heart (once more, the latest I might discover), 33% of Japanese individuals mentioned they learn manga or watch anime.
It is tough to match these two figures as a result of they arrive from totally different sources with various information assortment strategies and will not use constant definitions nor standards. It additionally does not assist that the reviews are outdated. Nevertheless, primarily based on the data we do have, even by gross sales are slowing down, there’s nonetheless a large chunk of People who like to learn comedian books.
Credit score: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable
Who is aware of? Maybe the comedian e book market might even see a leap if Google provides a comic book e book part to the Play Retailer, making graphics novels extra accessible to Android customers than ever.
