Comic download service hitting PSP by end of year in Japan

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 8th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Remember when we discovered an early prototype of a downloadable comics service for PSP? Well, it looks like it's coming to fruition. According to a release by PlayStation Japan, comics will be made available through the PlayStation Store by year's end. The comics will take advantage of the high resolution screen offered by the PSP, and will be compatible with all versions of the PSP, from the original 1000 to the new PSP Go.

SCEA and SCEE have not announced plans to follow in Japan's footsteps. However, we're hopeful that by year's end, PSP owners will be able to read both English and Japanese comics on the go.

Tags: comic, japan, playstation-store, psn, psp

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Heavytoka @ Jul 8th 2009 12:35PM

I really hopes this comes to the US, I would love to be able to read comics on business trips where I can't pack much.

xoonaka @ Jul 8th 2009 12:35PM

I hope this isn't like their video store... I don't think I'd be willing to pay a per comic fee. Maybe something akin to a subscription would be more feasible for me.... although, as always, free is best.

Extinction @ Jul 8th 2009 10:35PM

Free is not best, since as a business, they wouldn't be able to sustain it.
Then you'd only get crappy comics

And don't count on a subscription either. I'd imagine they'll cost less than movies/games do on PSN

sony boy @ Jul 8th 2009 12:52PM

why not just have a bookstore??? You can have a firmware update which can read pdf files and you can read books and also read comic books. that would make the kindle look shittier than it already is.

Kevin Littleton @ Jul 8th 2009 1:56PM

Xoonaka - You are totally right about the subscription fee, I would much rather pay for a year then get individual comics "cheaper". I would also love to see graphic novels and perhaps previews of graphic novels also...

Regardless though, if it comes to the states I'll take a look.

Jon Acheson @ Jul 8th 2009 2:38PM

This would make much more sense as a service for the Sony Reader.

Or maybe it IS a service for the Sony Reader that they are just repurposing for the PSP?

Nobledevil @ Jul 8th 2009 2:59PM

Please let this happen, please let this happen...

A great feature that no one uses is being able to listen to music while looking at images (I did that a few times with the Bleach manga but downloading and converting the books became a pain in my ass). If the downloaded comics were just jpegs, I could crank some music while reading a comic book on break at work or during a commute. I mean, sure, that's probably not what's gonna ACTUALLY happen, but let a boy dream. LET ME DREAM, DAMNIT!

Darlaten @ Jul 8th 2009 3:33PM

This is a very cool use of the PSP and one that I hope (but highly doubt) is brought out to the rest of the world. It will be interesting to see whether or not publishers such as Marvel, DC, Devil's Dues, and the like would be willing to offer subscriptions for digital forms of their comics. Overall, an interesting and promising move.