How to save money on manga and light novels when there are so many new releases coming out? And let’s not forget the ongoing series that you’re currently buying too.

This is the question that I’ve been asking myself lately since there are many manga and light novels that I’d like to buy.

Besides manga and light novels, I also have tons of nonfiction books that I want to buy too. If you’ve been following my blog, you already know that manga and light novels aren’t the only books I talk about on this blog.

With so many books that I want to buy, is there a way for book lovers like me to save money on manga and light novels?

Of course, the answer is yes.

Here’s what I do to save money on manga and light novel purchases.

Tip #1: Sales, sales, sales!

With the holiday season is right here upon us, you’ll see plenty of bargains going around.

And that includes books too.

If you want to save more, try to buy the manga and light novels during sales. While 10% off may not seem much to some of us, it still goes along the way if you purchase more than one book.

Want to know when the book stores will have a special promotion? The easiest way to be notified of their upcoming promotion is to sign up with their mailing list.

If the book store doesn’t have the option for you to join their mailing list, you can also follow the book store’s social media accounts to be notified whenever they have a special promotion at their store.

Alternatively, you can also use an app like Shoptagr to be notified of the upcoming sale.

What I love about Shoptagr is that it doesn’t just notify you when the books you add to the list are on sale. But it can also search for the coupon code for you too.

While many people use Shoptagr to keep track of the fashion items and tech stuff, it doesn’t hurt for you to use the app to keep track of your book wishlist.

Tip #2: Sign up with the store’s loyalty program

Many major bookstores have their own loyalty program where you can get a discount on your purchases all year round.

Even better? You’ll get an extra discount too when the store is having a sale.

Sure, you may have to pay for the membership if you want to join the store’s loyalty program. But think of it as an investment that can save you a ton of money down the road.

That is always the case if you plan to buy lots of books in the future. And I do see myself doing that for as long as I live.

Tip #3: Buy the manga and light novels in your local language

If the manga and the light novels you want are available in your local language, then, by all means, get them.

Not only you’re supporting the companies that license the manga and light novels in your country. But it costs less too since the books are printed locally.

I get that not all manga and light novels you want are not licensed in your local language. But if it does, consider getting them. You pay less for the same manga with the same quality as the manga in English. The only difference is it’s in your local language.

Tip #4: Buy the manga and light novels in Japanese

I can’t say for sure in other countries. But I do know that the same manga in Japanese tends to cost less than the one in English right here in Malaysia.

With the Japanese version costs less than the English version, then it doesn’t hurt to buy the manga and light novels in Japanese.

Of course, buying the manga and light novels in Japanese is pointless if you don’t know Japanese. So, it’s not worth it unless you do plan to use the manga and light novels to learn Japanese.

When it comes to buying the manga in Japanese, it’s obvious that Kinokuniya is the best place to get the manga and light novels in Japanese.

Kinokuniya isn’t available in your country? Well, you can buy the manga and light novels in Japanese at CDJapan.

If you’re interested in getting the manga in Japanese from CDJapan, you can get it right here:

Buy manga in Japanese at CDJapan

Tip #5: Buy the manga and light novels in digital

There’s no doubt that you’ll save more money when you buy the manga and light novels in digital since it’s cheaper than the print version.

If possible, I do encourage everyone to get their favorite manga and light novels in print rather than in digital format. When you buy the manga and light novels, you don’t gain ownership of those books. They only grant you the license to read the book.

But if the cost of the manga and light novel is a big deal to you and you don’t care about the ownership, then it’s fine to get the manga and light novels in digital.

Tip #6: Buy the omnibus edition

Many long, popular series also have an omnibus edition where you can get two to three volumes in one book.

If you always want to give this long, popular series a try but terrified with the idea of buying lots of books, consider getting the omnibus edition instead.

The omnibus edition tends to cost more. But when you divide the price that you have to pay for the omnibus edition with the number of volumes compiled in that book, you do save a lot more.

Keep in mind that only a handful of titles have the omnibus edition. But if the manga that you want is available as an omnibus edition, you should get this one instead of the individual volume.

Tip #7: Buy the manga boxset

Just like the omnibus edition, you’ll save a lot more when you buy the manga in a boxset.

Pretty much most of the completed manga series is now available as a boxset. So, it shouldn’t be that hard to find one.

The downside of the manga boxsets is that they’re available in limited quantity.

If you can afford to buy the boxset, you need to buy it right away since there’s a high chance that it won’t be available for long. That is always the case for the manga boxsets that are available for sale at the bookstore.

How do you save money on manga?

I know that there are plenty of tips when it comes to saving money on manga. If you do have one, feel free to share them with me in the comment section below. I’d love to know how other people save money on manga.