Why Some Manga Sites Have Low-Quality Scans

Manga fans love the thrill of discovering new series, catching up on ongoing favorites, or binge-reading classics. However, nothing ruins the experience more than low-quality scans, blurry pages, or poorly translated dialogue.

If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at unreadable text or struggling to decipher a poorly edited panel, you’re not alone. Why do some manga sites have low-quality scans, and how can you avoid them? In this guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind these issues and share tips on finding high-quality manga scans for a better reading experience.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

The Problem with Low-Quality Manga Scans

You’re excited to read a new manga, but as soon as you open it, you notice:

Blurry or pixelated images that make it hard to see details.
Crooked or uneven panels that disrupt the flow of the story.
Missing pages that leave gaps in the plot.
Bad translations that don’t make sense.
Watermarks and intrusive ads that cover parts of the artwork.

These issues can be frustrating, but they don’t happen randomly. Several factors contribute to low-quality scans on certain manga sites.

Why Do Some Manga Sites Have Poor Scans?

1. Unauthorized Scans from Low-Resolution Sources

Many unofficial manga sites rely on fan-made scanlations, which are often taken from low-resolution sources. Instead of obtaining official digital files, they might scan physical manga copies, leading to blurry images and inconsistent quality.

Some sites even compress images to save server space, which further reduces the resolution and clarity of the pages.

Also Read About How Manga Is Created

2. Rushed or Poorly Edited Scanlations

Scanlation groups often translate and edit manga as fast as possible to keep up with new releases. While some teams prioritize quality translations, others rush their work, resulting in:

Messy text placement that covers parts of the artwork.
Unedited typos or grammar mistakes that make the dialogue confusing.
Poor font choices that are hard to read.

This is especially common on free manga sites that prioritize speed over quality.

3. Automated or Machine Translations

Many low-quality manga sites use machine translations instead of human translators. While AI and translation tools can be helpful, they often produce awkward, inaccurate, or nonsensical sentences.

If you’ve ever read a manga where the characters’ dialogue doesn’t make sense, or the emotions feel completely off, it’s likely due to machine-generated translations.

4. Incomplete or Partial Scans

Some sites upload manga before they are fully scanned or translated, leading to missing pages, unfinished dialogues, or incomplete chapters.

This often happens when a site rushes to release a chapter before its competitors, sacrificing quality for speed.

5. Excessive Watermarks and Ads

Certain manga sites place large watermarks over pages to protect their scans from being stolen by other sites. While this helps the scanlation group, it ruins the reading experience for users.

Similarly, some sites have intrusive ads that appear over manga pages, making it difficult to focus on the story.

How to Avoid Low-Quality Manga Scans

Now that we know why low-quality scans exist, how can you avoid them? Here are some practical tips to ensure you’re reading high-quality manga every time.

1. Use Official Manga Sites Whenever Possible

The best way to ensure high-quality scans is to read manga from official sources. These platforms provide crystal-clear images, professional translations, and a seamless reading experience.

Some of the top official manga sites include:

VIZ Manga (Home of One Piece, Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen)
MANGA Plus (Free simulpubs from Shueisha)
Crunchyroll Manga (Part of the Crunchyroll anime platform)

These sites offer legally licensed manga, meaning you get the best quality possible while supporting the creators.

2. Choose High-Quality Fan-Translation Manga Sites

If you prefer reading fan-translated manga, stick to reputable scanlation groups that prioritize quality.

MangaDex is one of the best platforms for high-quality fan scans because it allows scanlation groups to upload their own work, ensuring better translations and editing.

Unlike other manga sites, MangaDex does not compress images, so you get higher resolution pages without unnecessary blurriness.

3. Avoid Sites with Excessive Ads and Watermarks

Some free manga sites overload their pages with pop-up ads and watermarks, making the reading experience frustrating.

One example is Manga.go, a popular site that provides a vast collection of manga but sometimes includes low-resolution scans and distracting ads.

If you use sites like Mangago, be prepared for:

Occasional low-quality scans from unauthorized sources.
Random page errors or missing chapters.
Aggressive ads that slow down the site.

While Mangago has a good selection of manga, you may want to check other sources if quality is a priority.

4. Look for Clean and Properly Edited Text

Before committing to a site, check a few pages of your manga to see how well the text is formatted. Look for:

Properly placed dialogue bubbles.
Readable font sizes and styles.
Smooth translations without weird phrasing.

If the text looks awkward or hard to read, it’s a sign that the scanlation was rushed or poorly done.

5. Compare Multiple Sources

If you find a manga with poor scan quality, try checking another site to see if better scans are available.

For example, if you find low-resolution pages on Mangago, you might get better-quality scans on MangaDex or official sites.

Comparing different platforms ensures you always get the best reading experience possible.

Final Thoughts: Quality Over Quantity

While there are plenty of free manga sites, not all of them offer high-quality scans. Some platforms prioritize speed over accuracy, leading to blurry images, bad translations, and missing content.

To avoid these issues, always choose official manga sites when possible. If you prefer fan-translations, look for reputable scanlation groups on trusted platforms like MangaDex.

Sites like Mangago may offer a wide variety of manga, but they sometimes suffer from low-quality scans and intrusive ads. If you notice poor scan quality, it’s best to check alternative sources for a better reading experience.

At the end of the day, your manga experience should be enjoyable, not frustrating. By following these tips, you can avoid low-quality scans and immerse yourself in the best manga stories without distractions.