Quick answer (2026)
- What happened: Reaper Scans permanently shut down after a cease-and-desist from Kakao Entertainment.
- When: the group announced the shutdown on May 9, 2025.
- Coming back? No return has been announced, and there is no verified new Reaper Scans site.
- Where the series went: many titles are available officially on licensed platforms such as WEBTOON and Tappytoon.
- Stay safe: sites that use the Reaper Scans name today are copies, not the original team.
Last updated: November 12, 2026 · By Robert
- What happened to Reaper Scans?
- Why did Reaper Scans shut down?
- When did Reaper Scans shut down? (timeline)
- What did Reaper Scans say in its final message?
- What did Reddit say about the Reaper Scans shutdown?
- Is Reaper Scans coming back?
- Is there a new Reaper Scans site?
- Where did the Reaper Scans series go?
- What the shutdown means for manhwa readers
- FAQ
Reaper Scans was one of the biggest English-language scanlation groups for Korean manhwa and web novels. In May 2025 it closed for good. This page explains what happened to Reaper Scans, why it shut down, what the original team said, what readers discussed on Reddit, and where you can read the same kind of series legally today.
What happened to Reaper Scans?
Reaper Scans shut down permanently in May 2025 after receiving a cease-and-desist from Kakao Entertainment. The group announced that it would stop publishing its unofficial translations of manhwa and web novels. The closure was confirmed by Kakao, which called Reaper Scans one of the largest English-language piracy sites for webtoons and web novels (The Korea Times).
In its farewell message, the team wrote: “After receiving a Cease and Desist from Kakao Entertainment, we have decided to permanently shut down Reaper Scans” (The Outer Haven).
Why did Reaper Scans shut down?
Reaper Scans shut down because Kakao Entertainment, which owns or licenses many of the series the group translated, sent it a legal cease-and-desist. Scanlation groups translate and publish comics without permission from the rights holders. When a publisher holds the official license, it can demand that unofficial copies are taken down.
Kakao Entertainment is the parent company of Tapas, one of the main official English platforms for Korean manhwa. Kakao has an anti-piracy program and has been taking action against unofficial sites. According to Kakao, Reaper Scans drew about 10 million visits a month, which made it a major target (The Korea Times).
A short history of the group
Reaper Scans was founded in 2019 (The Outer Haven). It became known for fast English releases of action and fantasy manhwa, regression stories and hunter stories, and it also posted web novel translations. That speed and volume built a huge international readership, especially in the US, the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
When did Reaper Scans shut down? (timeline)
Reaper Scans announced its permanent shutdown on May 9, 2025, and Kakao confirmed the action publicly a few days later. Here is the short version of the timeline:
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Reaper Scans is founded as an English scanlation group. | The Outer Haven |
| 2019–2025 | The group grows to roughly 10 million monthly visits, according to Kakao. | The Korea Times |
| May 9, 2025 | Reaper Scans announces it is shutting down permanently after a cease-and-desist from Kakao Entertainment. | The Outer Haven |
| May 14, 2025 | Kakao Entertainment publicly confirms it shut down the site. | The Korea Times |
| After May 2025 | Copycat domains using the Reaper Scans name appear; readers move to licensed platforms. | Our observation |
What did Reaper Scans say in its final message?
The team said it was closing for good and asked readers to support creators through official translations. Its message encouraged fans to “continue supporting the creators you love by reading official translations on platforms like Tapas” (The Outer Haven).
The group also listed official platforms where readers can find licensed works: Tapas, WEBTOON, Wuxiaworld, Manta, Toomics, Lezhin and Wattpad. For series that are not licensed in English yet, it suggested contacting the publishers directly to ask for an official release.
What did Reddit say about the Reaper Scans shutdown?
Reddit threads about the shutdown were split between surprise, frustration and acceptance. Many readers asked where to continue their favorite series, while others pointed out that official releases support the original artists and writers.
Common themes in “what happened to Reaper Scans” threads included:
- Readers asking where to continue a series they were following, such as Overgeared or Nano Machine.
- Warnings about fake “new Reaper Scans” sites and Discord servers.
- Discussion of why publishers like Kakao enforce their licenses.
- Some criticism of the group for putting early chapters of unlicensed work behind a paywall, which was also mentioned in news coverage (Anime Corner).
- Recommendations for legal apps with free episodes.
Reddit comments are opinions, not official statements. For facts, rely on the group’s own announcement and on news coverage like the sources linked on this page.
Is Reaper Scans coming back?
There is no sign that Reaper Scans is coming back. The team described the closure as permanent, and no official return has been announced. Any site or social account that claims to be the “return” of Reaper Scans should be treated as unofficial.
If you see the name on a working website today, it is almost certainly a copy. Our guide to whether Reaper Scans is down explains how to check what you are looking at.
Is there a new Reaper Scans site?
No. There is no verified new Reaper Scans website in 2026. Domains that use the name or close misspellings were not confirmed by the original team, and many of them are filled with aggressive ads or redirects.
Before you click a “reaperscans” link, use the checklist below:
- Check who runs it. A legitimate platform names its company, has terms of service and a privacy policy, and lists the publishers it works with.
- Look for official licensing. Licensed series show the creator and publisher on the series page, and the app is listed in the App Store or Google Play under the platform’s own name.
- Watch for pop-ups and redirects. If every tap opens a new tab, an “allow notifications” prompt or a fake virus warning, leave the site.
- Never install an APK or extension from a reading site. Official apps come from the official app stores, not from a download button on a manga site.
- Never pay a stranger. Don’t send money, gift cards or crypto to a site or Discord server that promises “early chapters”.
- Check a trust score. A checker such as ScamAdviser can flag new, hidden-owner domains that copy famous names.
Fake apps and fake Discord invites are a related risk. See our guides on the Reaper Scans app and APK question and the Reaper Scans Discord.
Where did the Reaper Scans series go?
Many popular series that fans associate with Reaper Scans are available on licensed platforms. The official version is often translated by a professional team, and the creators get paid when you read it. Availability changes by title and region, so always search the series name on the platforms below.
| Platform | Free reading? | Official app | Available in the US? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEBTOON | Yes, many free episodes | iOS and Android | Yes | Large free library of webtoons |
| Tapas | Yes, free and wait-to-read episodes on many series | iOS and Android | Yes | Licensed Korean manhwa and novels (owned by Kakao Entertainment) |
| Manta | Limited; mainly subscription | iOS and Android | Yes | Unlimited reading with one subscription |
| Wuxiaworld | Yes, many free chapters | iOS and Android | Yes | Translated Asian web novels |
| Lezhin | Some free episodes; coin-based | iOS and Android | Yes | Mature and romance webtoons |
| Toomics | Some free episodes; coin-based | iOS and Android | Yes | Action and romance webtoons |
| Wattpad | Yes, most stories are free | iOS and Android | Yes | Original web novels and fiction |
For a full side-by-side comparison, read our list of Reaper Scans alternatives. To find a specific title, use our Reaper Scans manhwa list, which points each series to its official home where one exists.
What the shutdown means for manhwa readers
The Reaper Scans shutdown showed that Korean publishers are actively enforcing their English rights. In the same period, Kakao reported shutting down several other piracy sites. For readers, the safest long-term option is to use licensed apps, many of which offer free episodes, wait-to-read systems or daily passes.
- Make a list of the series you were following.
- Search each title on Tapas, WEBTOON, Manta and the other licensed platforms.
- Add the series to your library and turn on new-episode notifications.
- Use free episodes and wait-to-read options before deciding whether to pay.
If you are asking whether Reaper Scans was free or safe to use, our answer page on whether Reaper Scans is free and safe goes into more detail. You can always return to our Reaper Scans guide for the full overview.
FAQ
What happened to Reaper Scans?
Reaper Scans permanently shut down after receiving a cease-and-desist from Kakao Entertainment. The group announced the closure on May 9, 2025.
Why did Reaper Scans shut down?
Kakao Entertainment, which owns or licenses many of the series the group translated, sent a legal cease-and-desist over unofficial translations.
When did Reaper Scans shut down?
The shutdown was announced on May 9, 2025. Kakao Entertainment publicly confirmed it on May 14, 2025.
Is Reaper Scans coming back?
No return has been announced. The team called the shutdown permanent, so treat any “new Reaper Scans” as unofficial.
What is the new Reaper Scans site?
There is no verified new Reaper Scans site. Domains using the name are copies that were not confirmed by the original team.
Where can I read Reaper Scans series now?
Search the series on licensed platforms such as Tapas, WEBTOON, Manta, Wuxiaworld, Lezhin, Toomics and Wattpad. The original team recommended these.
