Digital comics coming to Wii Ware in Japan

Four of Japan's biggest comic book-- or 'manga'-- publishers are coming together to bring digital versions of their magazines to Nintendo Wii.

Press

Press "a" or wiggle the remote for manga

The companies, Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shueisha and Shogakukan, have formed a joint venture with a local software house that aims to be the first to bring digital comics to the hit console. The venture, called Librica, was formed in July and will deliver comics through the Wii Ware software channel to users.

Initially it will target the Wii but Librica said it is considering expanding the service goal to encompass the handheld DS gaming device. It will also offer other publishers the chance to join its platform when launched.

Launch timing, pricing, or prospective U.S. availability for the service was not announced.

Comic books are hugely popular in Japan. In 2006 sales of comic books totaled $4.47 billion and accounted for 22 percent of the sales volume and 37 percent of copies of the entire magazine industry. However the industry has been declining, and 2006 marked the fifth year of contraction, according to the Research Institute for Publications.

Comments [17]

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Tellumendil

Hm, the only two Mangas I read are from Shonen Jump and I like the paper versions anyway.

tg211

wow this could be almost as exciting as an e-book! Seriously who cares?

Kubrick

This is going to be eaten up. Microsoft should of did this to sell 360's.

Scrotanicus

I know people that collect comic books for their value, I don't see any value in this or need for it either.

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