About Us

A Little Lore About Us

At BKManga, we believe manga is more than just a 'comic book'— it’s the result of months, years, and sometimes decades of creativity, sacrifice, and dedication. Behind every volume are sore wrists, late nights, and the tireless passion of artists striving to tell unforgettable stories. To hold that work in your hands and proudly display it on your bookshelf is what makes print manga truly magical.

In today’s digital age — filled with eBooks, webcomics, AI-generated content, and endless forgettable online media — we see genuine human creativity in the arts slowly losing its place in our culture. Our mission is to help preserve that creativity by bringing the incredible stories of Japanese manga artists to English-speaking readers around the world. We want these stories to live on — in homes, schools, and communities — for generations to come.

We’re committed to keeping manga affordable and accessible. That’s why we price our books below cover price, offering competitive rates for complete manga collections. Our goal is to make it easy for readers to build full series collections without the hassle of buying from multiple sellers and paying inconsistent prices.

Every bulk manga set we ship is packed with care to ensure it arrives safely, no matter the journey. We also prioritize sustainability — all of our packaging materials are made from durable, recycled or reused materials that can be recycled again to continue their life cycle.

We encourage readers everywhere to build libraries where these stories can thrive — spaces like living rooms, schools and workplaces, where friends and family can share their love of manga and connect through shared interest.

About Lore About the Owner

Joseph Barry — Greetings from the Owner

It’s funny to think that I didn’t even know what manga was until about five years ago. One day, I picked up my first print manga from a used bookstore in New York City — School Rumble, Volume 1. That worn, secondhand copy quickly became my obsession. Before long, I was begging my mother to order Volume 2 on Amazon. That’s where it all began — the start of my manga collection and my love for this incredible art form.

When I got my first job, most of my paychecks went straight toward manga. My collection grew rapidly — from a few volumes to thousands.

After graduating high school and working my way up at the company I’d been with since I was sixteen, I found myself equipped with valuable business experience and a sizeable amount of savings — (for an eighteen-year-old.) That’s when I began to wonder: Why doesn’t anyone offer complete manga collections online? These series were still in print, and the demand for physical manga was clearly stronger than ever.

That question became my inspiration. I started by selling a few series from my own collection on eBay — and to my surprise, they sold almost instantly. From that moment, I was sold on the idea. A few months later, I registered my trade name: BKMANGA. With the money I’d saved, I renovated my garage, bought basic eCommerce equipment, and began building a store that would offer complete manga sets for fellow fans and collectors.

Now, at nineteen (soon to be twenty), I envision a future where BKManga carries hundreds — even thousands — of manga series. A place where everyone can find something that speaks to them, even those who swore they’d never read manga in their life.

Supporting BKManga means supporting my vision: to keep the spirit of Japanese manga and anime alive through the magic of print. I truly believe this medium isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. And ensuring that print manga continues to have a place in every home is the best way to preserve its legacy.

Funny enough, even as I’ve stepped into adulthood with the weight of still working full-time and running BKManga, I still find myself completely hooked on my favorite light novel series, Classroom of the Elite. It’s 26 volumes long — and around 400 pages each — something I never would’ve imagined myself reading just a few years ago. Two years later, I’m still obsessed, and it just proves that there’s truly something for everyone in this medium.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting my first business venture. Your support means everything.

— Joseph Barry