In a major development, Orange has launched its long-promised emaqi platform as a digital manga store for manga readers in the U.S. and Canada. The company says that the name “emaqi” itself is a reference to emakimono, historical Japanese picture scrolls that are considered the precursors to modern manga.
At launch, emaqi’s catalogue will consist of around 6,000 books from 13 publishers. The platform plans to introduce at least one new unpublished English book every week.
Orange also announced that under 10% of emaqi’s content will be translated using AI support at launch, pending a future approach to releases and translation volumes. The company also plans to feature titles with existing English translations on the platform, as well as titles translated by its in-house studio, Studio Mikan.
Orange is also touting a new partnership with Shueisha that will allow them to localize one-shots for Shonen Jump+. Shueisha announced plans over Labor Day weekend to publish select one-shots throughout September to coincide with the Japanese release on MANGA PLUS, confirming that the Japanese conglomerate will work directly with Orange to localize select one-shots for the campaign. The first title currently published under this new initiative is MIGISUKE’s “The Deep Sea Of Words,” with more to be released this month.
The emaqi platform is web-based and mobile-optimized, with plans to release a dedicated smartphone app in the future. Features such as personalized recommendations and curated content are also in development. Some of the titles available include:
“Donketsu” (Shonen Gahosha) The main character is the ultimate outlaw. A delightful yakuza manga about a low-ranking yakuza with no hope of success in the underworld who rampages freely through society. A thrilling chivalry story. Gal Akujo no Anjo-san (Shonen Gahosha) A class of earnest, unpretentious boys, with the stylish and handsome Anjo-san approaching them one after another, in this thrilling youth love comedy! “Even if you don’t do it for me” (Futabasha) It’s not that she’s on bad terms with her husband, but something is missing… A realistic portrayal of the psychology of two couples who are troubled by a sexless marriage. Kimon-gai (Shonen Gahosha) A battle action manga about a protagonist who, after suffering an unjust tragedy, gains great power in exchange for her soul, and fights against a brutal fate. The Morning After (Shonen Gahosha) A bittersweet, special breakfast to eat after a night together. A collection of slightly melancholic gourmet love stories. TOKYO GIRL (Shonen Gahosha) A variety of human stories set in Tokyo, torn between true feelings and reason… an omnibus short comic about adults who can’t be honest. The Vermilion Mask (Shonen Gahosha) The Mask Has a Will A classic battle fantasy depicting the journey of a young mask merchant who makes masks that give people special abilities when they wear them. What secrets are hidden in his past, and what is the true purpose of his journey? “Can I take a picture of you?” (Shonen Gahosha) — A high school girl who was suffering from a lack of self-confidence encounters a camera and connects with the world through it. This unique daily manga depicts the interaction between girls through their shared hobby of photography. “River Leave” (Futabasha) — A girl transfers to a school in a snowy rural town, where relentless bullying awaits. This psycho-horror manga vividly depicts her shocking and gruesome revenge, delivering a spine-chilling tale of retribution. “Bachi Bachi” (Akita Publishing) – A famous sumo wrestler who was betrayed and expelled from the world of sumo leaves behind a son who has his father’s last words engraved in his heart. This is a full-scale sumo manga that depicts the son’s struggle to carry out his father’s last will and become a Yokozuna, the pinnacle of the sumo world.
As the Japanese publishing industry adopts AI-powered tools in various forms for its releases, emaqi’s launch of Shueisha as a key partner further adds credibility to the platform. Orange is rapidly gaining a foothold in the manga industry, touting partnerships with Japanese publishers such as Shonen Gahosha, Futabasha, and Akita Shoten, as well as additional distribution rights from Kodansha USA.
Like this:
Like Loading…
