Rent Manga

[kiyone]

http://www.mangatakeout.com/MangaDefault.aspx

I think its a great idea and I am willing to try the service. I'll probrably stay with it depending on how long it takes to get the next book. I noticed this little link on the AnimeNewsNetwork.com.

What are your takes on the idea? Does anyone already use the service?

[Dtortot]

It's a greta idea and service, but they need more less-popular titles.

[Ninja Realist]

Yeah, those are slim pickins.

[Rove]

I wouldn't say that they have a short list of available titles, 787 volumes of manga don't seem so few to me at least. However, the two problems with manga rental are the following:

1) Most people in the US can go to a library and read/borrow manga for free, of course, libraries don't have such a huge selection, but most people are likely to read something if they don't have to pay for it. (Manga Takeout only delivers to the US and 'military exceptions' according to their FAQ).

2) Mangas have a shorter product-life span than say, DVDs. Sure, DVDs can get scratches among other problems, but mangas are far more easier to damage, the pages can be ripped-off from the spine, they can get wet; it is similar to what happens to books in libraries, most (especially paper back ones) have to get replaced all the time because they literally fall apart, so Manga Takeout must spend quite a lot of money replacing titles that they cannot afford to bring in new ones.

This all ignoring the troubles related to post office services, such as getting the mangas/DVDs on time and the returning them without problems.

[kiyone]

Most people in the US can go to a library and read/borrow manga for free, of course, libraries don't have such a huge selection, but most people are likely to read something if they don't have to pay for it. (Manga Takeout only delivers to the US and 'military exceptions' according to their FAQ).

Good point, but most people don't go to the library to because of those reasons (they rather go to B&N -_-). Which causes a lot of stores like Barnes to shorten their stock of manga, because no one's buying them. In Japan they won't let you sit inside their books stores and read books, Americans really take advantage some time.

Mangas have a shorter product-life span than say, DVDs. Sure, DVDs can get scratches among other problems, but mangas are far more easier to damage, the pages can be ripped-off from the spine, they can get wet; it is similar to what happens to books in libraries, most (especially paper back ones) have to get replaced all the time because they literally fall apart, so Manga Takeout must spend quite a lot of money replacing titles that they cannot afford to bring in new ones.

I think people would take better care of the books if they were paying to borrow them. Manga takeout will probrably only have to replace they're books every 2 years if they are packaged well enough.

[Dtortot]

I wouldn't say that they have a short list of available titles, 787 volumes of manga don't seem so few to me at least. That is not a lot of books. Not when you have around 140 titles (did a quick count) so if you do some quick math you end up with less than 6 books per series. So the chance that you will get it is slim, specially if the series is popular.

I know they just started, but they need more books if thay are serious about this.

[WinterLaurel]

Most people in the US can go to a library and read/borrow manga for free, of course, libraries don't have such a huge selection, but most people are likely to read something if they don't have to pay for it. (Manga Takeout only delivers to the US and 'military exceptions' according to their FAQ).

That's exactly what I do, and it helps that I work at a library. If it's not available at any of the local libraries, I just get it through interlibrary loan. The wait time can sometimes be a bit longer, but, I'd have to wait in anycase since netflix and other internet based rentals always take a few days becuase Alaska is so far from all the shipping centers.

[Pachinko]

Ok, I swear, at first I thought this was a thread about someone or another making a manga based on the broadway RENT... I'd like to rent manga, sounds cool. But it looks to complicated, so I might just stick to scrounging around money to buy.

[Sariki]

i find it very interesting how everything is like becoming computerrized even our anime :( its depressing i have to say but that is me
sariki

[Sae]

Ok, I swear, at first I thought this was a thread about someone or another making a manga based on the broadway RENT... I'd like to rent manga, sounds cool. But it looks too complicated, so I might just stick to scrounging around money to buy.

That's EXACTLY what I thought! lol But yeah, I think I might try renting sounds awesome! Since buying mangas is getting a little expensive...oh wait! How much is renting?! :sweatdrop

Sae

[Zelkiiro]

Ok, I swear, at first I thought this was a thread about someone or another making a manga based on the broadway RENT... I'd like to rent manga, sounds cool. But it looks to complicated, so I might just stick to scrounging around money to buy.
I thought the same thing. That'd be cool.

But renting manga =/= cool. I can just waltz into Waldenbooks and read manga. No one cares in that store.

[Sae]

I thought the same thing. That'd be cool.

But renting manga =/= cool. I can just waltz into Waldenbooks and read manga. No one cares in that store.

Yeah lol same around here. No one cares in Borders either. They also have a great selection! actually tho....i sorta, regretfully, usually read the first and maybe even second volume in the store so then, if i finish the series, i dont have those cuz i've already read them. lol -_-

Sae

[jetfire]

Ok, I swear, at first I thought this was a thread about someone or another making a manga based on the broadway RENT... I'd like to rent manga, sounds cool. But it looks to complicated, so I might just stick to scrounging around money to buy.

It's amazing how we can all come up with the same thought. Probably because the title said "Rent Manga" instead of something like "Manga Renting Services Now Available". I don't think coming up with a manga based on a musical would be such a good idea. Reading a song isnt the same as listening.

As for my opinion, I don't think I would pay for Manga rental services. Especially online. Going through all the trouble with postage, keeping the mangas in good condition, only getting to read them for a short period of time and not getting to keep them, waiting for the manga to arrive (and maybe having it arrive at an inconvenient time when I can't read it), and having to send it back by a certain date, etc...

I think it's easier to just buy manga and own it. Sure, it costs more money, but once you pay for it, it's yours. I'd personally rather spend more money for something that I can keep, than spend less money on something I can only experience once.

[KiraraKim]

The idea is a little ridiculous when you think about it. People rent movies so anime renting services make sense but who rents books? It would be nice if more libraries had manga other than that if you want to try something before buying you can just read manga at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble.

[Agawa]

Ok, I swear, at first I thought this was a thread about someone or another making a manga based on the broadway RENT... I'd like to rent manga, sounds cool. But it looks to complicated, so I might just stick to scrounging around money to buy.
Yeah, as did I.

As for renting manga...well, no, I wouldn't do it. First off, manga nowadays costs less than your average DVD, so I'm not sure it would be worth it to rent. Secondly, my library almost certainly has more titles available than that company. Finally, I'm not a big renter anyway, if I'm spending money then I'd usually want it to be on something I'll keep. The exception was anime rentals, but local stores never seem to have stuff I like anymore.