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How to Sell Manga
Welcome to the best guide on the internet that will teach you everything you need to know about selling manga! In this article, we will discuss how, and why, to sell manga. And we'll give you a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your old manga collection.
Whether you are a seasoned manga collector or you just have a few copies lying around, we have all the information you need from understanding what manga is to selling it. To avoid bogging you down in a mountain of information, we have broken down the article into bitesize segments so you can start selling in minutes.
What is Manga?
So, what is manga? Manga is a type of comic book or graphic novel from Japan known for its distinctive art styles and dynamic storytelling. Despite some stigma about inappropriate content, manga showcases an incredible level of diversity with its themes and subject matter giving it a hugely diverse audience.
There are 5 primary genres within manga itself:
Shonen (少年) – Shonen is primarily aimed at Young teen boys
Popular titles include: One Piece, Naruto, and Dragon Ball
Shojo (少女) – Shojo is primarily aimed at Young teen girls
Popular titles include: Sailor Moon, Fruits Basket, and Boys Over Flowers
Seinen (青年) – Seinen is primarily aimed at Adult male readers
Popular titles include: Berserk, Vagabond, and Monster
Josei (女性) – Josei is primarily aimed at Adult female readers
Popular titles include: Nana, Honey and Clover, and Paradise Kiss
Kodomomuke (子供向け)- Kodomomuke is primarily aimed at Children
Popular titles include: Pokémon Adventures, Doraemon, and Yo-Kai Watch
While each genre tends to be written with a particular target audience in mind, they are often suitable for all ages and genders.
Why Is Manga in High Demand?
It’s no secret that manga has become a global phenomenon, finding popularity all over the world, especially in Western countries like the US and the UK. But why? There are several reasons why manga has reached god-like levels of success from diverse storytelling to eye-catching artwork. Dig a little deeper and check out some of these reasons why manga has become as popular as it has:
- Global appeal: As the popularity of manga continues to spread, so does its appeal, after all, manga is a fast-growing trend, and the more people that enjoy reading stories like Naruto and Berzerk the faster the word will spread.
- A growing community of collectors: As with comic books and graphic novels, there is a steadily growing community of collectors who continue to inject fresh enthusiasm into both writers and the manga community, stirring up the pot in anticipation of the next manga release.
- Scarcity fuels demand: As is the case with the majority of collectibles, scarcity equals demand, and with the popularity of manga reaching an all-time high, it can be difficult for the publishers to keep up with the demand. After all, what’s more appealing than that one book you just can't find?
- Rise of digital manga: Unlike traditional Western books, the rise of digital manga isn’t killing the physical copies, after all, nothing compares to having the feeling of diving into the latest copy of your favourite manga.
How Much is Manga Worth?
Whether you want to sell your manga collection or are just interested in how much it's worth, understanding how to value a manga is important. Firstly, the value of any one manga depends on several factors, take a look at the list below to see what will determine the value of your manga:
- Condition: Condition will play a huge role in the value of any book – a manga in poor condition, showing signs of extensive use or damage, will be worth much less.
- Rarity: Rare manga will be harder to find and will be worth more to the right buyer if you can find them.
- Complete Set: Having a complete set of manga will boost the value of each book in the collection, after all, there is nothing worse than getting to the end of a series only to realise that you can’t finish it because you are missing the last book.
- Edition: Like most books, manga is printed in editions, and earlier editions usually mean higher price tags.
- Popularity: Different titles will also hold different values, for example, an early edition of a popular manga series like Dragon Ball is likely to demand a much higher value than an early edition of a less well-known one.
How Can I Find Out the Value of My Manga?
Finding out the value of your manga is easier than it ever has been – using tools like the WeBuyBooks ISBN scanner you can get a value for your books in seconds without the need to trawl the internet.
Alternatively, you can do your research using tools like eBay and Amazon to find the same book in a similar condition. Another way to get your manga valued is by taking it to your local manga store or getting a specialist to assess your collection, but this may end up costing you.
Where Can I Sell My Manga?
You have a few options when it comes to selling your manga, both online and offline. Take a look at the list of the best places to sell your manga and the pros and cons of each:
WeBuyBooks
Pros: selling your manga through manga is quick and easy – you can scan the ISBNs on the back of your manga and get an instant valuation, and you can sell them right there and then. All you need to do is box up your books and post them for free.
Cons: You can’t haggle for a better price as the valuations are fixed.
eBay
Pros: You can set the price yourself.
Cons: There can be a lengthy selling process requiring you to fill in all the details of your books and there is no guarantee that you will find a buyer.
Facebook Marketplace
Pros: Communication is easy and you can set your own price.
Cons: Values may be lower and finding buyers may be difficult
Local Store
Pros: If you have a local shop they may be able to help you figure out how much your manga is worth.
Cons: You might not have a local store close by, and even if you do, they may not buy your manga.
Selling used manga has never been as easy as it is today, especially when you use the WeBuyBooks app – follow these simple steps, to price up your entire collection in minutes, you don't even need to leave the house.
How to Make Sure Your Manga is Ready to Sell
To ensure that you get the most out of your unwanted manga, there are a few steps that you should consider before selling. Prepping your books so they are in tip-top condition is a great way to maximize your profits. Taking simple steps to sort out your manga and freshen them up can help you avoid any unnecessary value degradation. Follow these simple steps before you sell your used manga:
Clean your manga:
It never hurts to give your manga a bit of a clean before you sell them. Even if you decide not to sell your manga, cleaning them will help you keep them in good shape. This process will also allow you to check your collection before things like mould and damp set in.
Organise your manga:
You don’t need to be a neat freak to take pride in organising your manga, giving them a quick sort-out to make sure that full sets are together and in order will make the whole selling process much easier.
Store your manga:
While you are waiting to sell your used manga, it helps to make sure they are all stored properly. Storing your manga somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight will go a long in making sure they stay in good condition. Keeping your manga in plastic sleeves is another way of making sure they stay fresher for longer.
How to Package Your Manga When You Sell It
During the selling process, you need to think about how to pack up your manga for shipping. Packing and posting your books shouldn’t be a difficult task, and there are things that you can do to make your life a lot easier – take a look:
Use old cardboard boxes: you shouldn’t have to go out and spend money on new cardboard boxes. It's always a smart idea to keep a hold of your old boxes so you can use them to post your books. Anything from a large Amazon parcel to a shoe box works. Use free postage: Use a selling method that offers free postage so you don't need to worry about paying bills when you sell. Borrow tape: It's always worth asking friends or family to borrow a little parcel tape before you go out and buy a whole new roll.
If you’re still struggling to find a box for your books, check out this article on how to box your books.
So, what are you waiting for? There is no better time than right now to start clearing out your shelves and selling your used manga. Download the WeBuyBooks app today from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store and use the built-in scanner to get a quote in seconds!
For more information on how to sell your manga, check out our Sell Manga page.
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