Kotatsu: Pocket Open-Source Manga Reader

Kotatsu is a free, open-source manga reader for Android, developed by and for the community, designed to make finding and reading your favorite manga easier than ever. It integrates over 1,000 online content sources, offers multiple reader modes, tracking service support, powerful downloading, and synchronization, truly putting a manga library in your pocket.

Usage

1. Visit the official site at kotatsu.app to check the latest version and release notes.

2. Download & Install:

   • Recommended: Download the APK from GitHub Releases; the app features built-in self-updates.

   • Alternatively, install the stable build via F-Droid (may lag behind releases).

3. Launch & Setup: Grant storage permissions, then let Kotatsu load its built-in source list and subscribe to preferred manga sources.

4. Account Linking: In Settings, log into MyAnimeList, AniList, or Shikimori to sync reading progress and favorites across platforms.

5. Offline & Sync: Use the “Download” screen to cache chapters for offline reading, and the “Sync” feature to share bookmarks and reading history across devices.

Features

• Massive Content Sources: Supports 1,000+ online manga sources, covering major global sites and diverse language options.

• Multiple Reader Modes: Offers both standard and Webtoon-optimized reading modes, with gesture support and page transition options.

• Tracking Service Integration: Compatible with MyAnimeList, AniList, and Shikimori for syncing progress and update notifications.

• Smart Search: Quickly locate titles using name, tags, and filter criteria; supports fuzzy matching and advanced filtering.

• Efficient Downloading: Built-in throttle mode for sequential chapter downloads to prevent source blocking; supports CBZ/ZIP offline formats

• Data Synchronization: Share bookmarks, favorites, and history between devices via the official sync server or third-party sync servers like kotatsu-syncserver.

• Community-Driven Open Source: Licensed under GPL-3.0, welcomes contributions, localization, and plugin development on GitHub.

Suitable Scenarios

• Commute & On-the-Go Reading: Read downloaded manga offline during transit without relying on network availability.

• Cross-Device Continuity: Sync tracking services for seamless reading between mobile phones and tablets.

• Discovering Niche Titles: Leverage smart search and extensive sources to uncover under-the-radar or new releases.

• Community Collaboration: Contribute and use plugins for language support and feature enhancements, fostering a global user base.

• Bulk Download & Management: Use the kotatsu-dl CLI tool to batch download manga on desktop, customizing output formats for personal archives.