In the digital age, manga lovers are always on the lookout for reliable platforms where they can read their favorite titles conveniently and affordably (or free). MangaBuddy has steadily grown in popularity as one such online destination, claiming to offer a vast library of manga, manhwa, webtoons, and translations. But does it really deliver on its promises? Is it safe? How does it compare to other manga sites? In this ultimate MangaBuddy review and guide for 2025, we’ll walk through its features, examine user complaints and security issues, show you how to use it, and explore alternatives. By the end, you’ll know whether MangaBuddy is right for you — or whether better options exist.
What Is MangaBuddy?
MangaBuddy (or MangaBuddy.com) is a site that aggregates manga, manhwa, and webtoon content for users to browse, read, and (in many cases) download or stream. On its website, you will find sections like “Top,” “Latest,” “Genres” (Action, Romance, Fantasy, Yaoi, etc.), “Popular,” “On-Going,” and “Completed.”For example, in the Yaoi genre, MangaBuddy lists titles such as Sweet Dream Desires and Bedtime Agreement.It also supports novel reading and seems to combine both manga and light novel functionality.
MangaBuddy often offers “raw” or untranslated chapters (in some cases) and “translated” content featuring genres like drama, romance, smut, mature content, etc.Because it aggregates many translations, some users consider it a repository of fan-translated works, which raises legal and ethical questions (more on that later).
One of its more recent prominent series is Mangjong (also spelled 망종, “Grain in Ear”), a webtoon in the adult/yaoi category which has multiple translated chapters posted on MangaBuddy.MangaBuddy is often used by readers who want access to less mainstream or fan-translated content unavailable on official platforms.
Key Features & Highlights
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Extensive Genre Library
One of MangaBuddy’s strengths is its variety. From action and fantasy to romance, yaoi, drama, adult, supernatural, and more, the platform caters to a wide spectrum of tastes.This size and breadth can attract users who want to explore niche genres not well represented on mainstream manga platforms. -
Frequent Updates
For many series, MangaBuddy updates chapters frequently. For example, Mangjong had 22 translated chapters as of this writing, with more in progress. Users often report seeing “latest,” “on-going,” and “recently updated” tags, which help them find active series. -
User Interface & Browsing Options
The site allows filtering by “Top,” “Latest,” “Popular,” “Genres,” “On-Going,” “Completed,” etc. It also provides an A–Z list of manga titles for easier navigation.The interface is relatively simple, though at times users report redirect issues (discussed in the next section). -
Downloads / Raw Access
MangaBuddy sometimes provides raw chapters or downloads for certain works, especially those that are fan translated.This is appealing to readers who like offline access, but again, it raises copyright concerns. -
Free Access
One of its biggest draws is that many chapters are available for free. This is appealing for casual readers who don’t want to pay subscription fees. But “free” often comes with tradeoffs (ads, redirects, security risks).
Complaints, Security Issues & Risks
No platform is perfect. Here are the major concerns users have raised about MangaBuddy, plus my assessment:
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Redirects, Malicious Scripts & Popups
Many users on forums like Reddit reported that MangaBuddy’s homepage (or comment sections) would redirect to other websites or show “hacked” messages. Some antivirus programs flagged the site. -
One user claimed their antivirus immediately blocked a web attack after visiting the homepage.
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Others noted that you could bypass the redirect by going directly to certain genre pages (like
mangabuddy.com/genres) rather than the homepage.
While the “hack” might be a malicious script injection into comment sections or homepage elements, it underscores security vulnerabilities. -
Copyright & Legality
Because MangaBuddy includes many fan-translated works and “raw” material, there is a risk that some content is posted without licensing or permission from original creators. This puts the platform in a legally gray (or outright infringing) zone. Users who consume content on such sites may inadvertently support unauthorized distribution. -
Reliability & Uptime
Some users complain that MangaBuddy becomes inaccessible or parts of it don’t load properly at times—especially when authorities block similar sites. The redirect issues mentioned above also suggest instability in certain sections of the site. -
Ads & User Experience
To compensate for “free access,” MangaBuddy may rely heavily on ads, popups, or third-party scripts. These can degrade the reading experience or pose security risks.
Given these risks, readers need to be cautious. Use updated ad blockers, antivirus software, and avoid logging in or submitting personal data unless you trust the site.
How to Use MangaBuddy (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you decide to explore MangaBuddy, here’s a safe workflow and tips to make the experience smoother:
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Use a Reliable Browser with Security Tools
Always use a browser that supports ad blocking, script blocking, or content filtering (for example, uBlock Origin, NoScript). This helps prevent malicious popups or redirects. -
Access via Genre or Manga Page Instead of Homepage
Because the homepage is where many redirect issues happen, go directly to genre pages (e.g./genres) or known manga pages by bookmark. Some users report the homepage being more vulnerable. -
Browse for Manga / Webtoon
Use the “Genres” tab to filter by your preference (e.g. Yaoi, Romance, Fantasy). MangaBuddy allows sorting by “Popular,” “Latest,” “Top” to help you discover new or trending series. -
Select a Series and Chapter
Once you click a manga title, you’ll see its chapters listed. You may see “raw” or translated options. Clicking a chapter leads to the content. Be cautious when clicking external links or “download” buttons (they may redirect). -
Reading / Downloading
If the chapter reader is embedded, you may scroll or swipe through pages. If there’s a download link, check whether it’s from a trustworthy source. Avoid suspicious external domains. -
Bookmark or Save
Use the “My List” or bookmarking feature (if available) so you can track updates without manually searching again. -
Check Frequently for Updates
Series like Mangjong have multiple chapters in progress; keep checking the “Latest” or “Ongoing” tags to stay current. -
Use Alternatives if Blocked or Unsafe
If MangaBuddy is blocked in your region or you feel it’s unsafe, switch to one of the safer alternatives (see below).
Best Alternatives to MangaBuddy
Because of the legal and security risks, many readers prefer to use safer or officially licensed platforms. Here are some alternatives:
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Official Manga Platforms
Platforms like Crunchyroll Manga, VIZ Media, MANGA Plus, Webtoon, and Tappytoon often provide licensed content (sometimes free, sometimes paid) with high reliability and security. -
Other Aggregator Sites (with caution)
There are other aggregator or community manga sites, but they carry similar legal and security risks. If you use them, proceed with similar caution.
When evaluating alternatives, compare: licensing legitimacy, cost, library size, update frequency, user reviews, and security track records.
Verdict: Should You Use MangaBuddy?
MangaBuddy offers a compelling proposition: a large and diverse library of manga, webtoons, translations, free access, and frequent updates. For readers who want variety and perhaps access to lesser-known series, it can be tempting.
However, the risks are real. Redirect attacks, malicious scripts, questionable legality of content, and inconsistent reliability can make it a problematic choice. If you must use MangaBuddy, do so with strict safety measures (strong browser protections, antivirus, avoid logging in). But whenever possible, prefer official, licensed manga apps and websites. They might cost you a small fee or have a smaller library, but the tradeoff in security, ethics, and peace of mind is often worth it.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Is MangaBuddy legal?
A1: MangaBuddy likely hosts many fan-translated or “raw” works without licensing, meaning the legality is questionable or infringing in many cases. It is not a fully official platform, so using it may breach copyright laws in your country.
Q2: Was MangaBuddy hacked?
A2: Some users reported malicious redirects or scripts on MangaBuddy’s homepage and comment sections. While “hacked” may be an overstatement, security vulnerabilities certainly existed.The site may have patched some issues, but caution is still advised.
Q3: How can I safely access MangaBuddy?
A3: Use a browser with script/ad blockers, avoid the homepage, go directly to genre pages or known manga links, and avoid interacting with suspicious external links. Always have antivirus protection.
Q4: Why do some manga chapters appear as “raw” or untranslated?
A4: “Raw” means the original unedited version (e.g. in Japanese, Korean, Chinese) without translation. Some series may not yet be fan-translated, so MangaBuddy hosts raw chapters for readers who prefer them.
Q5: What are better alternatives to MangaBuddy?
A5: Licensed platforms like MANGA Plus, Crunchyroll Manga, VIZ, Webtoon, Tappytoon, and others offer safer, legal content with good user experience. While their libraries may be more limited or behind paywalls, they are more reliable.
Q6: Can I download manga chapters from MangaBuddy for offline reading?
A6: Some chapters may have a “download” function or links, but these often come with risk (redirects, unsafe domains). Use extreme caution, and only download from trusted links or sources.
Q7: Will MangaBuddy work in my country if it’s blocked?
A7: Possibly not. Many manga aggregator sites are blocked in certain regions. You might need to use VPN or find mirror domains—but doing so can further increase security risks. Always weigh the benefits and dangers.
