Houbunsha Launches New Digital Platform "Manga Time Square": Beloved Series Now Free!

Houbunsha, one of Japan's most established and respected publishing houses, is strengthening its presence in the digital world with a giant step. The new website, Manga Time Square, which officially began its publishing life as of May 15, offers readers the opportunity to read many series from the publisher's popular Manga Time magazine group for free. This move is great news for manga lovers, especially in today's world where following physical magazines has become more difficult.

Founded in 1950 and describing itself as the "Temple of Manga" (Manga no Dendo), Houbunsha is known as the pioneer of the 4-koma (four-panel) manga genre in Japan. Manga Time, which began publication in 1981, holds the title of being the country's first 4-koma focused magazine. Over the years, the publisher has been home to many works that have become global phenomena and defined the "healing" (iyashikei) genre, such as K-On!, Bocchi the Rock!, Yuru Camp, and Hidamari Sketch. The newly opened Manga Time Square aims to bring this rich heritage to the digital generation.

The new platform will feature not only current chapters but also archives of beloved series serialized in magazines such as Manga Time, Manga Home, and Manga Time Original. Content will be updated daily, and users will be able to join the adventures of their favorite characters without paying any subscription fees. The platform's interface is optimized to provide a smooth reading experience on both desktop and mobile devices. This strategic move positions Houbunsha alongside giants in the digital publishing world like Shueisha's MANGA Plus or Square Enix's Manga UP!