Manta Opens Platform to Independent Creators on November 16
The webcomics platform will give indie comics and novel creators their own section with profiles, a creator studio and direct publishing.
Manta announced on October 7 that it will open its platform to independent comics and novel creators on November 16, 2026, according to Anime News Network. Independent creators will get a separate section on Manta where they can set up profiles, upload episodes through a creator studio and publish directly.
Existing Manta series will remain unchanged, with independent works appearing in their own section from the launch date. Ahead of the opening, Manta is collecting creator contact information through an online form, which the company says is not an application.
The platform also announced on October 9 the “Move Your Bookshelf” (MYB) program, which lets readers who unlocked episodes on Tapas rebuild their libraries on Manta for free. Applicants must have purchased at least 10 episodes of a series on Tapas and submit a single uncut screen recording of their Tapas purchase history in its original file format.
On October 5, Manta announced that From the Burnt Ashes by Jeung-ji Ma had launched as a Manta exclusive, with its first episode released early the same day. The series is Manta's first “Global Release,” published and serialized simultaneously on Manta and RIDI.
Tapas wind-down
The moves follow Tapas's announcement on October 1 that it is winding down after more than a decade, with final service set for March 31, 2027 at 23:59 PDT. Tapas stated that content unlocked on its platform cannot be transferred to another Kakao service.
Quick answers
When does Manta open its platform to independent creators?
Manta said independent comics and novel creators can publish on a separate section of the platform from November 16, 2026.
How do Tapas readers move their libraries to Manta?
Through the “Move Your Bookshelf” program, applicants must have purchased at least 10 episodes of a series on Tapas and submit one uncut screen recording of their Tapas purchase history in its original file format.
What is Manta's first Global Release?
<em>From the Burnt Ashes</em> by Jeung-ji Ma, published and serialized simultaneously on Manta and RIDI.