Shogakukan Manga Reader App Launches on Nintendo Switch eShop in Japan March 2025

Shogakukan, one of Japan’s leading publishing giants, is expanding the Nintendo Switch library with a dedicated manga reader app, set to release exclusively on the Japanese Nintendo eShop on March 13, 2025.

As the Nintendo Switch nears the end of its lifecycle, this launch highlights the platform’s ongoing versatility—not just as a gaming system but also as a digital media hub.

The official announcement came from Tatsuki Waki of CoroCoro Comic, a major monthly manga publication, who shared initial details on social media.

The Shogakukan manga reader brings a tailored digital reading experience to Switch owners, allowing users to enjoy a curated selection of manga titles directly on their device.

The app is designed for ergonomic reading by supporting a vertical orientation, mirroring the experience of holding a physical manga book.

To interact with the digital pages, users will employ the system’s face buttons—specifically X and Y—to control zoom functions, making it essential to have the Joy-Con controllers attached while using the application. This marks the first major manga reader from Shogakukan to debut on Nintendo hardware, underscoring the eShop’s evolving role as a content platform beyond games.

While the initial launch is confirmed solely for the Japanese eShop, there is currently no information on a potential international release or localized manga collections for other territories.

Fans outside Japan seeking digital comics on their Nintendo Switch can still access services like the free InkyPen app, which offers a range of Western comics and select manga titles, or utilize Crunchyroll’s dedicated anime streaming app—both of which are available globally via the eShop. Since its debut in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has become home to a growing selection of non-game applications, with publishers like Shogakukan and third-party developers broadening the platform's appeal.

The addition of the manga reader app follows a recent trend in cross-media integration on consoles, providing fans with even more reasons to keep returning to the Switch for their entertainment needs. Shogakukan’s launch date of March 13, 2025, comes at a strategic time as publishers and developers alike capitalize on the still-vibrant user base before a next-generation Nintendo console arrives.

As more details emerge, users are encouraged to follow official Nintendo Direct updates and eShop news for information on potential Western release plans or expanded content offerings from Shogakukan. For now, manga enthusiasts in Japan can look forward to enjoying their favorite series in a portable, interactive format when the Shogakukan manga reader app launches next month on the Nintendo Switch eShop.

Nintendo eShop Japan Switch Switch eShop Shogakukan Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch eShop