Shōnen Jump has unveiled an intriguing partnership with Netflix that could further popularize manga. In recent years, Netflix has heavily invested in anime, and now the streaming powerhouse seems poised to expand into manga through a novel joint subscription plan with Shueisha.
A post from WSJ_manga on X reveals that Shōnen Jump and Netflix plan to introduce this joint subscription service on September 17, 2024. The collaboration promises a more affordable subscription option, potentially attracting new readers to Shōnen Jump.
While an official statement has yet to be released by Netflix or Shueisha, details remain scarce about which of Shueisha’s digital reading platforms will be part of this offer. However, Manga Plus is a strong contender, given its recently launched subscription tiers.
Shonen Jump and Netflix Unveil New Joint Subscription Plan
This Alliance Could Encourage More People to Explore Manga
Although Netflix’s anime library has been rapidly expanding, it has struggled to rival Crunchyroll until now. The streaming service’s reputation among fans has also been somewhat tarnished, particularly following recent leaks of its major upcoming projects. Nevertheless, Netflix has secured licensing rights to some eagerly awaited releases, such as the Ranma 1/2 remake and Dan Da Dan. This new partnership with Shōnen Jump could finally bolster Netflix’s competitive position.
The expanding range of titles, combined with this collaboration, may give Netflix a slight advantage over Crunchyroll, which has yet to offer a similar deal despite its stronghold in anime streaming. Crucially, this new subscription package might entice newer anime enthusiasts to delve into manga, thereby aiding its transition into the mainstream. Netflix has already succeeded in attracting new audiences to anime, as demonstrated by the live-action One Piece adaptation. Now, it could achieve similar success with manga, which, while popular, has not yet reached the worldwide prominence of anime and manhwa.
Source: WSJ_manga/X