Quick answer (2026)
- Same group? No. Reaper Scans and Asura Scans were separate, unofficial scanlation groups.
- Reaper Scans: shut down permanently in May 2025 after a Kakao Entertainment cease-and-desist.
- Both are unlicensed: neither one pays the creators, and mirror sites using these names are risky.
- Best option: licensed platforms such as WEBTOON and Tappytoon.
Last updated: November 12, 2026 · By Robert
- Are Reaper Scans and Asura Scans the same group?
- How do Reaper Scans and Asura Scans compare?
- Why did Reaper Scans shut down but not Asura Scans?
- How did scanlation groups like these work?
- What do readers on Reddit say about Reaper Scans vs Asura Scans?
- Which one had better translations?
- Is it safe to use sites called “Asura Scans” or “Reaper Scans” now?
- What are the legal alternatives to Reaper Scans and Asura Scans?
- Does reading official versions really help creators?
- Which series did readers follow on both groups?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Reaper Scans and Asura Scans were two of the best-known English scanlation names for Korean action manhwa, and readers often mixed them up. This neutral comparison explains how they differed and what happened to Reaper Scans, then points you to legal ways to read the same kinds of series. We don’t link to either group’s sites or to any copies of them.
Are Reaper Scans and Asura Scans the same group?
No. They were independent fan scanlation groups with different teams, websites and Discord communities. They covered similar genres, so many readers followed both and sometimes thought they were one group.
Both translated manhwa without a license from the publishers. That legal status is the main thing they had in common.
How do Reaper Scans and Asura Scans compare?
The table compares the two on the points readers ask about most. It’s based on public news reports, not on the groups’ own claims.
| Reaper Scans | Asura Scans | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Unofficial fan scanlation group | Unofficial fan scanlation group |
| Founded | 2019 (per The Outer Haven) | Not confirmed in reliable sources |
| Focus | Korean action/fantasy manhwa and web novels | Korean action/fantasy manhwa |
| Licensed by publishers? | No | No |
| Legal action reported | Cease-and-desist from Kakao Entertainment | No specific action confirmed in reliable reporting |
| Status (Nov 2026) | Shut down permanently (May 9, 2025) | Unofficial; status changes, and copycat domains are common |
| Safe to use? | Original site offline; copycats are risky | Unofficial sites and mirrors carry ad and malware risks |
Why did Reaper Scans shut down but not Asura Scans?
Reaper Scans shut down after it received a cease-and-desist from Kakao Entertainment, as The Outer Haven and The Korea Times reported. Kakao said the site had about 10 million monthly visits, which made it a major target.
Publishers act against sites one at a time, and they rarely announce every case. One group still being online doesn’t make it legal or safe. It only means no shutdown has been made public yet.
How did scanlation groups like these work?
A scanlation group takes a comic that isn’t officially available in a language and translates it without permission. The name combines “scan” and “translation”.
A typical team has raw providers who get the original Korean chapters, translators, proofreaders, cleaners who erase the original text from the art, typesetters who place the English text, and quality checkers. Larger groups added uploaders, moderators and Discord staff to manage their communities.
Some groups were run by volunteers, while others earned money from ads, donations or early-access paywalls. Paywalling unlicensed chapters drew criticism from fans and from publishers, because the money didn’t go to the creators. Publishers see all of this as copyright infringement, whether a site charges money or not.
What do readers on Reddit say about Reaper Scans vs Asura Scans?
In communities such as r/manhwa, the comparison usually comes down to release speed, translation style and which titles each group picked up. Opinions differ a lot from one series to the next, and many readers simply followed whichever group was ahead on their favorite title.
Since the Reaper Scans shutdown, a lot of those threads have turned into questions about where to read safely. The most upvoted answers tend to point to official apps, especially as more of the big action titles get English licenses. Treat links posted in comments with caution, because copycat domains are often spread that way.
Which one had better translations?
Fans argue about this endlessly on Reddit, and it comes down to personal taste. Both were known for fast releases of popular action titles, and quality varied by series and translator.
Official translations have a big advantage: they are reviewed by the publisher, they use consistent names and terms, and they don’t disappear overnight. For long series like Solo Leveling or Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, that consistency matters.
Is it safe to use sites called “Asura Scans” or “Reaper Scans” now?
Be very careful. After Reaper Scans closed, look-alike domains appeared that copy its name and pages. Many show pop-ups, redirect you elsewhere or push app downloads.
- Don’t install an APK, app or browser extension from any scanlation site.
- Leave sites that open new tabs or pop-ups when you tap.
- Never enter a password, card details or crypto wallet on these sites.
- Run your browser’s security check, or a tool like Google Safe Browsing, if a site behaves strangely.
What are the legal alternatives to Reaper Scans and Asura Scans?
Licensed platforms carry many of the same action and fantasy manhwa, with free episodes and official apps.
| Platform | Free chapters? | Good for | Available in the US? |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEBTOON | Yes, many free episodes | Nano Machine, Return to Player, Omniscient Reader | Yes |
| Tappytoon | Some free; coin-based | Solo Leveling, The Esper’s Game | Yes |
| Tapas | Wait-or-pay chapters | Overgeared, Pick Me Up, Kill the Hero | Yes, until it closes (March 2027) |
| Manta | Subscription with trial | Unlimited reading of Manta originals | Yes |
Note: Kakao announced that Tapas will close, with service ending in March 2027 (Anime News Network). Our full list of Reaper Scans alternatives keeps track of where titles move.
Does reading official versions really help creators?
Yes. Official platforms pay the original author, the art studio and the English translation team for every episode you unlock or every ad view on a free episode. That income is what funds new chapters, side stories and anime deals.
When a series is read mostly on unlicensed sites, publishers have less reason to license more titles in English. Reading even the free episodes on an official app sends a clear signal about which series fans want next.
Which series did readers follow on both groups?
The overlap was mostly big Korean action titles: regression, hunter and game-system stories. Our Reaper Scans manhwa list shows the official English platform for each of the most-searched ones, including Solo Leveling, Overgeared, Nano Machine and Return to Player.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reaper Scans the same as Asura Scans?
No. They were separate unofficial scanlation groups that covered similar Korean action manhwa.
Did Asura Scans shut down too?
We haven’t seen reliable reporting of an Asura Scans shutdown. Either way it’s unofficial, so use licensed platforms instead.
Why did Reaper Scans close?
Reaper Scans closed permanently in May 2025 after receiving a cease-and-desist from Kakao Entertainment.
Which is better, Reaper Scans or Asura Scans?
Neither is licensed. Official platforms like WEBTOON and Tappytoon give you stable, reviewed translations that support the creators.
Is it illegal to read on scanlation sites?
Scanlation sites distribute copyrighted work without permission. Reading on licensed platforms is the safe and legal option.
Reaper Scans is gone and other groups come and go, but licensed platforms keep their series online. For the full story behind the closure, read what happened to Reaper Scans, or go back to our Reaper Scans guide.
