Manta opens to independent creators and helps Tapas readers move libraries
Manta will welcome independent creators from November 16 while helping eligible Tapas readers rebuild libraries after the platform’s planned closure.
Manta is opening its platform to independent comics and novel creators from November 16, giving them a dedicated area to publish episodes, build profiles and interact directly with readers.1 The initiative is aimed at creators who want to find an audience without joining Manta’s existing official catalogue, which will remain separate from the new independent section.
The platform says creators will be able to upload work through a creator studio, while readers can discover series and leave comments. Manta is collecting interest ahead of launch, although its contact form is not an application and does not guarantee entry.1
Manta is also helping readers affected by Tapas’ planned closure. Its Move Your Bookshelf programme lets readers who unlocked at least 10 episodes of selected series on Tapas apply to have those episodes added to their Manta library at no cost.2 Applicants must submit one uncut recording of their Tapas purchase history, along with the episode ranges they own. Payment details, login screens and the episodes themselves do not need to appear in the recording.
The move matters because Tapas has said its service will wind down on March 31, 2027, and that unlocked content will not transfer to another Kakao service.3 Manta’s programme therefore offers eligible readers a route to preserve access, but it is not a general import tool: readers must meet the episode threshold, choose eligible series and pass Manta’s review.
Manta also announced From the Burnt Ashes, by Jeung-ji Ma, as its first “Global Release” — a series published simultaneously on Manta and RIDI for readers around the world.1
Our opinion
Manta is making two sensible moves at once: opening a clearer path for independent creators and addressing a very specific problem created by Tapas’ closure. The useful detail is the limitation. This is not a promise that every purchased episode will move across, so readers should check the eligible-series list and keep their original purchase evidence before applying.