Asura Scans: What Happened to It? Everything You Need to Know

December 23, 2024 By Nancy William No Comments 7 minutes

Have you heard of Asura Scans? There are many who are fans of Manga and Manhwa comics, but not many offer translated scripts for international readers. Asura Scans was one of the biggest and most popular scanlation sites for it on the internet. However, the site seems to be down quite often, leaving Asura fans baffled with “What now?” So, if you have heard of it and are probably wondering what happened to Asura Scans, this guide tells you about it! Plus, if you are looking for some of its alternative sites, I’ve listed a few options that offer the same services.

Table of Contents

• What is Asura Scans
• Asura Scans Key Features
• What Happened to Asura Scans
• The Impact of the Discontinuation of Asura Scans
• Is Asura Scans An Illegal Site
• Legal Asura Scans Alternatives
• Webtoon
• Tappytoon
• Manta Comics
• Lezhin Comics
• Crunchyroll Manga
• FAQ’s
• Conclusion

WARNING!

Not all Manga or anime sites are safe, and neither is every scanlation site for it official. Always be cautious about visiting random websites, and never give out any sensitive information. Most websites are clickbait for stealing data or money. Apart from being cautious with the sites that you enter, consider using FastestVPN to block unsolicited ads and encrypt your connection. 

What is Asura Scans?

Asura Scans is a fan or community-based platform specializing in translating manga, manhwa, and webtoons into multiple languages, primarily focusing on English. It is one of the only sites that gained popularity among fans who prefer Korean, Japanese, and Chinese comics. It mostly gained popularity because the site offered content that lacked official translations or licensing in certain areas.

Asura Scans Key Features

Apart from Asura Scans being free and supported by ads, here are a few highlights of what the website offers:

Content

In regard to content, Asura Scans focuses on Manga (Japanese comics,) Manhwa (Korean comics,) Chinese comics called Manhua, and webtoons. The platform supports multiple genres, including romance, action, fantasy, and even games. You will be able to get translations of famous anime titles like Solo Max-Level Newbie, Nano Machine, Return of the Disaster-Class Hero, and others.

Translations

Asura Scans is more of a fan-based and operated website. This means that any fan or volunteer can contribute to the service by scanning, cleaning, and giving clear comic content for others to download. This helps international readers get translated copies of their favorite comics in their native languages. 

Community Engagement

Another great aspect that this service featured was an active space for the anime community to share and participate in discussions. It helps fans get information about upcoming or the latest updates regarding all series. 

What Happened to Asura Scans?

As mentioned, Asura Scans was and still is a sought-after scanlation group. It’s loved by fans for its translation for Manga, Manhwa, and webtoons. However, in October 2024, the site underwent a huge change. The founder of the site, Asura, had announced his decision to discontinue and step down. Why? There were major concerns by authorities that found flaws and risks attached to most of the scanlation activities. This means that most of the scanlations were operating in the copyright gray area.

There were a few key developments with this process: 

• The platform’s leadership was handed over to “Kita,” a reliable team member who played a key role in overseeing operations. This change was made to maintain Asura Scans’ continuity despite increasing legal pressures within the scanlation community.
• Then, there were legal and ethical issues. Asura Scans translates comics without obtaining official licenses, leading to concerns over copyright violations. Growing attention and legal pressure on scanlation groups might have influenced the founder’s choice to resign.

Status

So, what’s the status now? As of December 2024, the Asura Scans website is still active, allowing fans to enjoy translations of well-known titles. However, where the moral implications of the website lie, it remains on forums like Reddit and other online communities.

The Impact of the Discontinuation of Asura Scans on the Community

Supporters of Asura Scans are worried about its sustainability, particularly as legal pressures on the scanlation industry continue to intensify. A growing number of readers are turning to alternatives or transitioning to official platforms such as Tappytoon, Webtoon, and Lezhin Comics to back creators in a legitimate way. This highlights a larger conflict within the scanlation community, where fan-led initiatives frequently clash with copyright regulations.

Is Asura Scans An Illegal Site?

Yes, Asura Scans, in short, is an illegal site. It holds translated scripts of content that has copyrights. Anything translated without the consent of the authors or license holders is considered pirated. If you also take a look at the Asura community on Reddit, it will help shed light on the illegality of the platform. You can find it here. 

Legal Asura Scans Alternatives

Since Asura Scans is not legal and often shuts down, it’s necessary to go for legal Asura Scans alternatives that offer high-quality and licensed translations. They include:

1. Webtoon

The first legal and safe Asura Scans alternative is Webtoon. It offers free-to-read licensed webtoons, including Lore Olympus, Tower of God, Omniscient Reader, etc. It’s a free platform with a paid option. It is one of the most popular and largest websites where you can find a wide genre range of comics, including drama, action, romance, comedy, and thriller. The site is available in multiple languages like English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Chinese, etc., which makes translations easier. If you’d like early access to the latest chapters, you can subscribe to its Fast Pass plan. 

2. Tappytoon

Next, we have Tappytoon, another safe alternative to Asura Scans. It offers premium Korean manhwa. Some of the more popular titles include Solo Leveling. The Villainess is a Marionette, and The Beginning After the End. You can make in-app purchases, get adult content, and also go for free limited titles with daily login promos and rewards. Other than webtoons, there are also serialized stories and light novels that you can check out. 

3. Manta Comics

If you’re looking for an alternative site that offers unlimited access to manhwa comics, Manta Comics is a great option. Plus, the monthly subscription is set and fixed. The website is user-friendly and includes fan-favorite genres like romance, drama, fantasy, and others. In short, it caters to a wider international audience. A few of its popular titles include Under the Oak Tree, Finding Camellia, and Disobey the Duke if You Dare. 

4. Lezhin Comics

Focused on high-quality Manhwa comics, Lezhin Comics makes the best alternative. It’s mostly preferred by readers who like adult comics and comics with visually beautiful artwork. There are a few occasional free chapters available, but apart from that, to get premium content, you need to purchase coins. The site offers a wide range of genres, including fantasy, drama, thriller, romance, and more. You will find several popular titles like BJ Alex, Painter of the Night, and Killing Stalking.

5. Crunchyroll Manga

Crunchyroll Manga is an online service that is included with a Crunchyroll Premium subscription, offering a broad selection of officially licensed manga. It allows fans to access popular titles legally, often featuring chapters released at the same time as their publication in Japan. The platform is pretty famous worldwide and has a user-friendly interface. It is why it’s often recommended as one of the best Asura Scans alternatives. 

Frequently Asked Questions

To Conclude

And that’s a wrap! Considering that Asura Scans is an illegal scanlation site with pirated content, it’s pointless to carry on using it. For this, always consider going for official or legal options. I’ve listed some safe Asura Scans alternatives for you to try that offer similar content through official publications and partners.  

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