Is Bilibili Comics Shutting Down? Why is Bilibili Comics Shutting Down?
by Rubaditsha
Updated Feb 02, 2024
Bilibili Comics
Bilibili Comics is an online platform operated by the Chinese entertainment company Bilibili, offering a diverse library of webtoons and manhwa for readers. Launched in 2021, it provided official translations of popular Chinese manga and manhua titles, such as "Heaven Official’s Blessing" and "My Young Lady is a NEET."
Initially free, it later introduced a virtual currency system where users could unlock chapters by purchasing coins. Despite partnerships like Anime-Planet, its efforts to monetize translations faced challenges, leading to its closure on February 29, 2024.
The decision came as part of Bilibili's strategic shift to prioritize other business initiatives. Bilibili Comics' shutdown marks the end of its two-year operation, emphasizing the company's focus on different endeavors within China's digital entertainment sector.
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Is Bilibili Comics Shutting Down?
Yes, Bilibili Comics is indeed shutting down. The decision comes as a result of a change in their strategic direction, prompting the cessation of operations by February 29, 2024, at 2:00 PM SGT. Users will no longer be able to access the Comic Service or Digital Content after this time.
As part of the shutdown process, the recharge and registration portal has been disabled, meaning new account registrations and comic coin top-ups are no longer possible. Users are advised to use up any remaining comic coins or request refunds.
Additionally, options are provided for users to delete their accounts or request copies of their personal data. Bilibili Comics, which started as a free service in 2021 before adopting a coin top-up system, offered a variety of webtoons and manhwa to its readers. The shutdown marks the end of this platform's journey, leaving its users with a limited time to wrap up their activities and make necessary arrangements before the closure.
Why is Bilibili Comics Shutting Down?
Bilibili Comics is shutting down due to a strategic shift by its parent company, Bilibili, prompting a reallocation of resources and attention to other business priorities. The decision signifies the end of the platform's two-year operation, emphasizing Bilibili's focus on different initiatives within China's high-growth digital entertainment sector.
Despite initial promise in the English-language digital comics space in 2021, Bilibili Comics faced challenges in balancing access, revenue streams, and competing with the larger scanlation ecosystem. The platform's attempt to monetize officially licensed translations through a virtual currency system, while common in the industry, created financial barriers.
The termination reflects the complications of trying to establish paid translations in a landscape with prevalent unofficial distribution channels. The Anime-Planet partnership aimed at increased discoverability, but the platform couldn't meaningfully compete or complement the larger scanlation ecosystem.
The closure underscores the complexities of monetizing officially licensed translations of Chinese content abroad, while Bilibili, as a parent company, continues to expand strategically and thrive domestically in the high-growth market.
Is Bilibili Comics Shutting Down:FAQs
Bilibili Comics is closing due to a strategic shift by Bilibili, reallocating resources to other business priorities.
Bilibili Comics will cease operations on February 29, 2024, at 2:00 PM SGT.
Challenges in monetizing translations and a competitive scanlation ecosystem led to the decision.
No, access to the Comic Service and Digital Content will be unavailable after February 29, 2024.
Users can spend remaining comic coins, request refunds, delete accounts, or request copies of their data.