MangaDex: Safe, Popular, but is it Legal?

MangaDex is one of the most well-known websites for reading manga online. It is especially popular because it offers a wide variety of manga titles in many languages and has a large community of users and scanlation groups. But with its popularity, questions have started to come up: Is MangaDex actually legal? Is it safe to use? And what is happening with all the takedown notices and missing chapters? In this article, we explain everything you need to know about MangaDex in 2025.

What is MangaDex?

MangaDex is a manga reading platform that allows users to read, upload, and manage manga chapters. It is different from many other manga sites because it does not display ads and does not profit from hosting copyrighted manga. Instead, it focuses on providing a clean, community-driven space where readers and scanlation groups can upload fan-translated manga in many languages.

The website has useful features like bookmarks, reading progress tracking, discussion threads, and a customizable reader. You can also follow your favorite series, join groups, or comment on individual chapters. MangaDex is known for frequent updates and improvements to its platform.

Official Website Link: https://mangadex.org/

Is MangaDex Safe to Use?

Yes, in terms of browsing safety, MangaDex is considered a safe website. It does not flood users with pop-ups, redirect ads, or malware, which are common problems on other manga websites. The design is clean, and the browsing experience is smooth.

The platform also takes user privacy seriously. MangaDex does not sell your data and has clearly stated that it will never give user information to third parties unless required by law. This means that unless a court order is involved, your data is not shared.

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Why is MangaDex So Popular?

MangaDex stands out from other manga sites for several reasons:

• It is ad-free and community-supported
• It allows scanlation groups to publish their own translations
• It supports over 20 languages
• Users can create accounts to track their reading and join discussions
• It includes older and rare manga series not available elsewhere

These features make MangaDex a go-to place for dedicated manga fans, especially those who want to read manga in their native language or discover titles that have not been officially licensed.

What is the Legal Status of MangaDex?

This is where things become more complicated. Technically, MangaDex is not legal. The platform hosts and displays fan-made scanlations of manga, which are usually not authorized by the original creators or copyright holders. Even if the site does not make money from ads or downloads, it still hosts content that belongs to someone else.

Recently, MangaDex received a large takedown request from manga rights-holders. This led to the removal of about 7,000 manga titles from the website. MangaDex had no choice but to follow the request to remain in line with DMCA laws. Users were not warned in advance due to legal reasons, but MangaDex has confirmed that affected uploaders have 14 days to file a counterclaim to restore the content if they believe it was removed unfairly.

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Is MangaDex Shutting Down?

No, MangaDex is not shutting down. Even after the takedown notice, the site remains active. The team behind the platform is small but dedicated, and they are working on updates to better manage future copyright requests. MangaDex is also trying to find better ways to protect user data and reading history while dealing with takedown requests legally.

The team has clarified that read markers and progress tracking were affected by the takedown, but they plan to restore that data soon. As of now, some chapters are unavailable, but the website as a whole continues to run and accept new uploads.

Check more details about MangaDex copyright claims from here.

Can You Still Read Manga on MangaDex?

Yes, you can. Although a large number of chapters have been removed due to DMCA claims, thousands of other titles remain available. MangaDex remains a place where scanlators upload their translations, and new series are being added. However, users should understand that not all manga will be accessible at all times, especially if rights-holders continue to send takedown notices.

What About Other MangaDex Features?

Despite the challenges, MangaDex still offers all its main features. You can sign up, follow manga, comment on chapters, and access your reading list. The site is actively updated with bug fixes, new design changes, and improvements to performance.

One new change is the addition of a tickbox on the chapter upload page. This is to confirm that the uploader agrees to MangaDex’s terms and is not uploading content that breaks copyright rules. This is part of their effort to comply with legal standards and protect the platform from further issues.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

The future of MangaDex depends on how well it can adapt to legal challenges. Since scanlations exist in a legal grey area, it’s likely that more takedowns will occur in the future. MangaDex has made it clear that it will continue to follow the law and remove content when required.

At the same time, the team has shown that they care about the community. They are working to preserve user data, protect privacy, and find solutions that benefit both scanlators and readers. Users who rely on the site for their favorite manga should expect some interruptions but can continue to support the platform by using its features and reporting issues when needed.

Final Thoughts

MangaDex is a useful, popular, and safe website for reading manga online, especially for fans of scanlations and rare titles. However, it exists in a legal grey area and is not technically legal because most of the manga on the site is uploaded without the rights-holder’s permission.

Recent takedown notices have affected a large number of titles, but the platform is not shutting down. It continues to operate, and new uploads are still being accepted. If you choose to use MangaDex, be aware of its legal risks and the possibility that some manga could be removed without notice.

As always, if you want to support manga creators fully, it’s best to buy official volumes or use licensed platforms. But for fans looking for language variety, rare titles, or fan translations, MangaDex remains one of the best-known options in 2025.

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