Nintendo Switch app InkyPen is bringing all sorts of manga to the games console

One of the console’s few apps gets a big content drop

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

TheNintendo Switchdoesn’t have many apps outside of its growing catalogue ofNintendo Switch games– but one of the few on the console is getting a big manga content drop.

The comics e-reader InkyPen has been available on the Switch since 2018, offering an all-you-can-read comics experience for just $7.99 / €7.99 / £5.99 per month.

Now, a new partnership with comics publisher Kodansha has added a whole host of manga to read as well, including big-hitters such as Attack On Titan, The Ghost In The Shell, Battle Angel Alita, and Fairy Tail.

While wereported at launchthat InkyPen had plans “to open up to manga in the near future”, it’s only now that intention is coming to fruition. There are still a few notable gaps on the InkyPen service – noMarvelor DC comics, for one – but given how little non-gaming content available on the Switch’s home screen, we’ll take what we can get.

Absent apps

While the big content drop for InkyPen is a boon for Switch owners – especially those who are into manga – it does draw attention yet again to the paucity of supported apps for the Nintendo Switch.

US gamers get access toHulu, but aside fromYouTube, there’s no real TV streaming service equivalent – let’s say,Netflix, orDisney Plus– elsewhere. The additional (and more global) InkyPen and Izeno comics apps feel like secondary choices rather than top-tier applications, too.

While it’s not a bad thing that Nintendo is putting its gaming experience first, and resisting a move towards a more diluted, general-use tablet, we’d still appreciate a boutique selection of relevant apps to round out the experience on the Switch – and ensure gamers aren’t switching away to their phone or tablet whenever they want a break from gaming.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

Continuing on a manga theme, adding the Crunchyrollanime streaming servicewould definitely be a good start.

Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.

Nintendo finally confirms that the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible

Don’t miss this rare sale on the Nintendo Switch Lite: Animal Crossing Bundle

How to turn off Meta AI