The Japanese Internet service provider NEC BIGLOBE launched a free web manga magazine called Manga-Boshi in Japanese and English on Thursday. Manga-Boshi (literally "Manga Star") showcases the works of about 10 young art university students and graduates every month as part of NEC BIGLOBE's Creators' Arena project.

The magazine is freely available on personal computers in Japan as well as abroad, and NEC BIGLOBE is aiming to attract 1 million monthly readers. While the first Manga-Boshi issue focuses on Japanese creators, NEC BIGLOBE is open to posting overseas works. The company is also planning to post the magazine in other languages such as Italian and French a year from now.

NEC BIGLOBE is also launching "ParaPara Manga" applications for manga on smart phones. The first three offerings are adaptations of flip books by the animator Shigeru Tamura (Ginga no Uo URSA minor BLUE, Glassy Ocean: Kujira no Chouyaku).

By next March, NEC BIGLOBE plans to have applications for over 100 works from illustrators, photographers, and computer-graphics artists, as well as students and graduates such as those in Manga-Boshi. The applications are now available for Apple's iOS devices, and NEC BIGLOBE is planning versions specifically catering to Apple's iPad as well as Android smart phones later this year.