Is Asura Scans Still Safe to Use? Domains, Laws, and Reader Options

From Fan Favorite to Legal Uncertainty

Once the king of fan-translated manhwa, Asura Scans was the go-to website for fast, high-quality translations of titles like Solo Leveling and Nano Machine. But by 2025, questions of safety, legality, and authenticity have put its users on edge.
Is Asura Scans still operational, and more importantly, is it safe to use?

A Quick History of Asura Scans

Asura Scans started as a community-driven scanlation group, quickly rising to fame for its polished releases.
Between 2020 and 2022, it became a powerhouse for Korean webtoon translations, thriving on domains such as asurascans.com and later asuracomic.net.
Fans praised its fast uploads, clean typesetting, and consistent updates, making it a cult favorite in the manhwa fandom.

The Current Asura Scans Website(s): Which Domain Is Real?

As of mid-2025, confusion dominates the community.
Multiple domains claim to be “official,” yet most are either down, cloned, or unsafe.

• asurascans.com — reported offline since early 2025
• asuracomic.net — partially working, with limited content
• asuratoon.com, asurascans.to, and others — mirror or phishing sites. 
• Users on Reddit report confusion, citing shutdown rumors and phishing warnings.

What Kind of Content Does Asura Scans Host?

Asura Scans became famous for a curated collection of Korean manhwa, Chinese manhua, and some Japanese manga. Genres covered include:

• Action / Martial Arts
• Fantasy & Isekai
• Apocalypse & Regression

Frequent updates, clean typesetting, and faster-than-average release cycles kept readers loyal.

This mix made the platform a favorite among binge-readers—though legality was never its strong suit.

Interface, Mobile App & User Experience

The mobile app, "AsuraComic," is available on the App Store. It promises an ad-free, smoother interface. However, since the web version’s instability, users have questioned the app's legitimacy and safety.

The app provides offline reading, basic library functions, and quick chapter loads, but doesn't mention licensing.

Some fans liken this nostalgic yet risky revival of old-school reading communities to how TechRaisal explored retro platforms in its Lycos Chat Review — a blend of nostalgia, innovation, and safety concerns.

Who Runs Asura Scans?

The platform is operated anonymously, likely by volunteers or hobbyists. The original admin reportedly stepped down due to legal concerns in 2023, a move that rattled the community. No official team or commercial entity has since claimed ownership.

This makes accountability difficult, especially when mirror sites emerge claiming to be the "real" Asura.

Is Asura Scans Legal or Piracy? A Legal Breakdown

Let’s be clear:
Asura Scans does not hold any official licenses for the comics it translates.
Its uploads are unauthorized reproductions — legally categorized as pirated content.

While many readers justify it as “filling a translation gap,” international copyright laws (like the U.S. DMCA and Korea’s Copyright Act) do not make exceptions for this argument.

In short: reading isn’t criminalized in most regions, but hosting, sharing, or re-uploading content can attract serious penalties.

Shutdown Rumors, URL Changes & Community Reaction

Throughout 2024–2025, social media platforms like Reddit and Discord have buzzed with:

• Claims that Asura “went private” or “was taken down.”
• Speculations about DMCA takedowns or rebranding attempts.
• Users sharing “mirror” URLs — some legitimate, others phishing traps.

The result? A fragmented community, split across fan archives, Discord servers, and new scan groups trying to fill the gap.

Security Concerns: Can You Get Malware from Asura Scans Mirrors?

Yes, and many users already have.
Clone or fake domains often host malicious scripts, pop-up ads, or crypto-mining code.
A quick scan via browser tools shows several Asura-named sites flagged for unsafe HTTPS certificates and excessive ad trackers.

Tips for staying safe:

• Avoid domains with extra words like “read,” “toons,” or “mirror.”
• Never download ZIPs or APKs outside verified stores.
• Use antivirus software and avoid saving passwords on unknown sites.

Safe & Legal Alternatives to Asura Scans

If you love the manhwa experience but want to stay safe and support creators, try these official reading platforms:

While official sites may update slower, they ensure fair pay for artists and zero malware risk.

Community Hubs: Where Are Former Users Now?

With the original domain down, Asura Scans fans have migrated to:

• Reddit subreddits: r/Manhwa, r/AsuraScansArchive
• Discord communities
• Pinterest folders, archiving covers, and recommendations

The reader culture lives on, even as the brand fades.

Final Verdict: Should You Use Asura Scans?

Short answer: No, not for long-term use.

Asura Scans once defined fan translation quality, but in 2025, its uncertain legality, anonymous operation, and malware-risk mirrors make it unreliable.
If you truly love manhwa, it’s wiser to switch to official, licensed alternatives that respect both creators and your data safety.

FAQs

Q: Is Asura Scans permanently down?
A: The original domain is, but new variants appear occasionally.

Q: Is the AsuraComic app safe?
A: Not officially verified. Use caution when downloading.

Q: Can I get a virus/malware from using these sites?
A: Yes, if you use clone/mirror sites. Many aren’t secure.

Q: What’s the best official Asura-like platform?
A: Webtoon and Tappytoon for manhwa; Manga Plus for manga.