At this point and time, it’s safe to say Manga Reborn hasn’t taken off like the people working there have hoped. Launching two years ago, it’s a site that’s aimed to translate manga legally, but either due to there being too many untranslated manga, the type of manga they have, their marketing, what they do, whatever the case, it’s not exactly a site people flock to on a daily basis.
So, off the heels of my interview with former Manga Reborn translator Dan Luffey, I thought it might be appropriate to see if I could get in touch with someone from Manga Reborn.
I ended up getting in touch with Masaki Watanabe, its Director. He answered my questions through email.
Organization ASG: Could you talk a little about yourself and how you came to work for Manga Reborn?
Masaki Watanabe: My name is Masaki Watanabe, Director at Manga Reborn. Our company is a e-book solution vendor. We make software like Kindle on iOS and Android and Windows and Mac, not for Amazon, but for publishers and e-book selling companies in Japan who want their own store and infrastructure. We love manga and other Japanese content, and our mission is to create a more digital friendly environment for our readers. However, a few years ago we found out that there are many more international manga fans than domestic who are still having a hard time buying fully localized manga. That’s when we started Manga Reborn.
OASG: What would you say Manga Reborn is all about?
Masaki: Manga Reborn is about matching international manga fans with manga artists. The manga industry has been shrinking the past decade, and publishers have been seeking the new markets’ chances. Going digital and international have both been a major mission for them, but at the same time, a risk to their existing business. Digital requires DRM, international requires localization. Manga Reborn solves both risks, while giving new opportunities for both manga artists and readers.
OASG: What has surprised you about working with publishers and getting them to support the site?
Masaki: Domestic publishers are very “Japanese”. They like their business closed, and they hate IT. Earning their trust requires earning public trust, which means nobodies – like ourselves, have little chances totalk about business together. While our e-book solutions have good amount of domestic share, we still need to work a lot harder topropose a mutually beneficial business.
OASG: Do you think the payment system for Manga Reborn will continue to be what it is or coins will be the way to go?
Masaki: Coins, yes, we plan to continue using. We may start giving our coins to translators and scanlators who are helping us. Manga Reborn is not a fully monetizing business yet, but we’d like to return a favor. Bringing more manga is best, but we’re having a hard time.
OASG: Dan Luffey mentioned that Manga Reborn is “taking things in a different direction”. What is that direction?
Masaki: I’m not exactly sure what he meant in the interview, but I think it has something to do with giving coins to users.
OASG: The big advantage, I believe, is the acquisition and localization of 70’s, 80’s manga. Are people really not that interested in reading that type of manga anymore? Will you have to host more current manga?
Masaki: Yes. Very sadly, there are very few international fans of 70’s, 80’s manga.
Manga artists have the option of having their manga available. Manga Reborn can get the rights for their manga. However, relatively new authors of manga do not. One of the most famous manga artist in Japan is writing a blog of how hard it is to keep a living as a manga artist, and how hard it is to keep rights to your own manga in Japan. We are just translating the site.
OASG: What is the status of the site, which is still “in beta”?
Masaki: We are still trying to acquire more manga that we can host.
OASG: How has been working with translators and letterers on the site?
Masaki: Wonderful. I’m sorry we haven’t been able return the favor by bringing in more manga.
OASG: How do you see the manga industry in Japan?
Masaki: It needs much more time until it can turn its focus to the international market.
OASG: What manga would you recommend people try out on the site?
Masaki: Not all of them are fully translated or finished, but manga produced by Shuho Sato’s firm are new and very good.
