This is it. This is final. ONEMANGA is officially saying goodbye to all the manga scanlation fans out there. According to the site announcement,
"It pains me to announce that this is the last week of manga reading on One Manga (!!). Manga publishers have recently changed their stance on manga scanlations and made it clear that they no longer approve of it. We have decided to abide by their wishes, and remove all manga content (regardless of licensing status) from the site. The removal of content will happen gradually (so you can at least finish some of the outstanding reading you have), but we expect all content to be gone by early next week (RIP OM July '10).
This news comes somewhat of a shock. Well actually, not really. I already sensed that sooner or later onemanga, like mangafox, will have to do something about their sites because of the recent clamoring of manga publishers and writers over their stand on manga scanlations. I thought that if ever, they will just remove all the manga with licensed. But to drastically remove EVERYTHING is quite staggering! The thought that I won't get any manga fix anymore is making me sick! I feel like I'm watching one of my old friends die right in front of me. Yeah I know I'm exaggerating but I can't help it! I've been quite attached to onemanga for years! Yes, despite my advancing years, I have never fully let go of my love for anime and manga. Ever since I was in college, anime and manga has fascinated me.. It has opened up my love for reading in a way whole new dimension! LITERALLY! But buying manga was out of the question. It was too expensive for me. But then I stumbled upon reading manga online. I was ecstatic! Finally, a place where I can read to my heart's content! Onemanga has been my daily destination for my manga fix. It has been there for me for more than 5 years already. So this news about onemanga slowly removing all manga from their site is killing me. I have to say goodbye to all my favorite mangas that I'm currently addicted to.
The teacher in me acknowledges the rightness of their decision to stop hosting scanlations. I am perfectly aware that what is really happening is unfair to manga writers and publishers and is an infringement on their "rights" to their manga. I UNDERSTAND that it is necessary and legally this is the correct way. I understand but that doesn't mean I can't be sad, frustrated, and feel bad about it! I know that there are probably hundreds.. or maybe thousands out there on the net who are probably have the same panicky, frustrated, and bewildered feeling like mine wondering how on earth can we survive without onemanga!!!
Anyway, I just needed to screech.. to rant.. and to vent out my frustration. I wanna cry.. I have no idea how I"m going to finish SKIP BEAT.. one of my favorite mangas! *sighs* Today is a dark day for manga addicts. I will now mourn for Onemanga's passing (though they will keep the forums alive according to the site). To my fellow manga readers out there, if you have any way for me to access at least Skip Beat (yes I'm that desperate!!!!) let me know.
So if you don't see me online this week, its because I'm going to spend my precious free time this week with the last remaining days of Onemanga. Let me end this post by echoing the site admin's melancholic sentiments..."There is an end to everything, to good things as well."
Goodbye Onemanga. I enjoyed our 5 years together. May you rest in peace.
