The gem system
So I had this app for a few years or so. I took a break, because life. I come back and the gem system is so annoying. I picked back up a manhwa I started from 2022 ish and I was able to read it for free with the membership at that time (I was devoted to paying the monthly subscription) only to find out that I have to purchase gems. The manhwa is started took a few years to update anyways so I had to drop it and move on at that time. I come back and wanted to refresh my memory as that is now complete only to have to purchase the episodes I had already read! No thank you! I’m a binge reader! That is way too expensive and I just purchased the year membership! Please figure something else out for that stupid gem system. I’m not trying to pay $100 of dollars for gems to re read stories I had started previously. This app has changed so much…it’s sad to see it go this way. I can understand for people who don’t want to purchase subscriptions using the gems, but what about the yearly membership paying people? I know i saw a subscription for gems and stuff but I wanted the yearly subscription so that way I didn’t have to worry about another monthly subscription. I was only trying to treat myself.
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They use Ai
They have switched to using ai to translate. It’s unacceptable. We are PAYING for this service for actual human transmission. F Ai
Use of AI translations
I have recently found out that Manta uses AI to translate their licenses. I don’t want to spend my hard earned money on AI slop, I will not be using Manta in the future.
AI translations
They’re charging a lot of money for AI translations for the webtoons and novels and the should be ashamed to replace quality translation work with AI translation.
Uses AI Translation
Used to be one of my favorite manhwa apps but when I started to notice errors did some digging and saw they have partnered with an AI translation tool called Rivetta. Why would I pay for AI translations, especially when I can do that myself and pay less for the original? This is going to cause piracy of these titles to rise because no one will want to pay for AI translated slop. I will only pay for human translations so have stopped using the service.
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Predatory Monetization
Predatory monetization: a business model deliberately designed to extract as much money from customers as possible, often through hidden costs, misleading pricing structures, and systems that ensure you never truly "own" what you paid for.
That is exactly what MANTA is doing.
I've been a subscriber for a while and I genuinely enjoy the stories and artwork on this platform. But enjoyment only goes so far when the payment system is built to bleed you dry.
Here's how it works: you pay a monthly subscription fee just to have access to the app. Fair enough. But most stories also require you to purchase Gems to unlock individual episodes. For a series with 50 to 100+ chapters, that cost adds up fast. I accepted that and paid it.
What I did not agree to was being charged again to re-read a series I had already fully unlocked.
I stepped away from a story for a period of time, came back to re-read it, and was hit with another paywall…for content I had already purchased. So let's recap: monthly subscription fee, Gems to unlock each episode, and then if you don't read continuously, you lose access and have to pay all over again. You're not buying anything. You're renting access and they can pull it at any time.
At the very minimum, anyone who has already paid to unlock a series should retain full access to it for as long as their subscription is active. That is not a big ask. That is basic fairness.
This will be my last month. I refuse to keep pouring money into a system designed to give me nothing in return.
That is exactly what MANTA is doing.
I've been a subscriber for a while and I genuinely enjoy the stories and artwork on this platform. But enjoyment only goes so far when the payment system is built to bleed you dry.
Here's how it works: you pay a monthly subscription fee just to have access to the app. Fair enough. But most stories also require you to purchase Gems to unlock individual episodes. For a series with 50 to 100+ chapters, that cost adds up fast. I accepted that and paid it.
What I did not agree to was being charged again to re-read a series I had already fully unlocked.
I stepped away from a story for a period of time, came back to re-read it, and was hit with another paywall…for content I had already purchased. So let's recap: monthly subscription fee, Gems to unlock each episode, and then if you don't read continuously, you lose access and have to pay all over again. You're not buying anything. You're renting access and they can pull it at any time.
At the very minimum, anyone who has already paid to unlock a series should retain full access to it for as long as their subscription is active. That is not a big ask. That is basic fairness.
This will be my last month. I refuse to keep pouring money into a system designed to give me nothing in return.
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Update
Been using this app for years and love it. There’s been a redesign and now I can’t find anything like what new series are coming, what’s leaving or what’s new. The whole layout has no order and is very jumbled. Why break what wasn’t broken??
I Miss How Manta Used to Be
I loved this app because all I had to do was pay a subscription and not have to worry about any special currency to unlock chapters. That’s not true anymore since they introduced gems. Even increasing the subscription price a little would be better than having to pay for them if I want access to much of the content.
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Great app until they became money hungry
As someone who has had manta for like 6 years, I loved it when I first had it and it was a simple subscription that gave access to stories without having to wait for reading passes. Ever since they added gems, they’ve completely disregarded all of the original supporters of their app and made everything cost gems (which you can only really get if you pay extra in your subscription or buy packages) and it’s so disappointing. I decided to upgrade to the premium subscription, but even that doesn’t afford enough gems to get through a whole story. I wasn’t planning on leaving a review because it was somewhat bearable, but then stories that I’ve been reading for years suddenly started being charged for gems. I’ve been waiting for new seasons of stories, only for them to come out and only be accessible if I pay a ton of gems. It’s ridiculous! For example, “keeping up with my stallion duke” just dropped a new season, and I’ve been reading, FOR FREE, for ages, yet now that season 3 has dropped all of the episodes cost gems. I’d get it if you started charging new readers, but I’ve been reading this, and now it gets taken away? Maybe I’m dramatic, but when I’ve even supporting an app for so long, I can’t help but be disappointed when every time I get onto it now it’s begging me for more money and constantly taking away the stories I enjoy. It really ruined the enjoyment, and I wish they could at least create a way to allow current readers to continue reading for their original prices instead of ruining it for everyone.
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Not what it used to be
I’ve had this app for a long time. I paid for the subscription to unlock the full version and have been paying it for years. Now with this new gem system and the original subscription basically meaningless, honestly I’m over it at this point. Plus, they barely release anything on the “Unlimited” category (that’s what the original subscription is called now) and releasing comics that have been out for years under the 50+ gems per chapter system. Used to be one of the best.
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Under the Oak Tree
Absolute Banger of a storyline my life with be incomplete without this book
Love the novels
Excited and entertaining novels
Not bad at all!
Loveee the comics and the monthly subscription feature is a GODSEND for someone who likes to read a lot. I do wish we could seethe spicy stuff in the app tho
Subscription
I’ve been trying to cancel my subscription but it’s not letting me cancel what the hell kind of app is this they are stealing money 🙄
Comment section
I love Manta the most out of comic apps however, I wish there’s common section so the readers have discussions and stay longer on the app
So Convenient!
I love using the Manta app for all of my web comics and now manga. They have a great selection, I mean top tier for manhwa and manga & it is quickly becoming my most used app (as per my battery usage).
I’ve been using this app for the past 4 years! It’s amazing!
I am so happy that they introduced manga now! It’s so cool. I get to read novels, Manhwa and now manga all in one place! I’ve been using this app for the past few years and I love the fact that they’re always dropping something new! I always find something to read after I finish reading a series! I started reading because of the under the oak tree series and after that I just have been reading so many other series after that! I definitely recommend!
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I love Manta
Manta makes it so easy for me to read my favorite manhwa series! And better yet, I can also read novels, and manga now too!! The interface is super easy to use and I also pay for their membership. It’s totally worth it!! Highly recommend!
Great experience!
I’ve been using Manta for a while now and it’s become one of my favorite places to read manga and webcomics. The app is easy to navigate, the reading experience is smooth and the artwork looks great on mobile devices. I especially appreciate how simple it is to discover new series and keep track of the stories I’m following. The chapters loaded quickly, the interface stayed out of the way and I could focus entirely on enjoying the story and artwork. Features like bookmarks and progress tracking make it easy to pick up right where I left off.
What keeps me coming back is how user-friendly the app feels. Whether I’m reading for a few minutes during a break or spending an evening catching up on a series, Manta consistently delivers a comfortable and enjoyable reading experience. It’s an app I genuinely look forward to opening every day.
What keeps me coming back is how user-friendly the app feels. Whether I’m reading for a few minutes during a break or spending an evening catching up on a series, Manta consistently delivers a comfortable and enjoyable reading experience. It’s an app I genuinely look forward to opening every day.
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Fav app to read manga!
I love reading mangas on manta since the app is so easy and convenient to use. I can read whenever and wherever I want!! I love the selections, there are so many titles to choose from and the prices are so cheap as well. All in all, love the easy to navigate app🫶🏻 My experience with manta has been amazing, would definitely recommend it to everyone:)
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