The acquisition of Japanese comics in a portable document format allows for offline reading and convenient storage. For example, users can save digital copies of their favorite series onto devices such as tablets, e-readers, or computers for later enjoyment without requiring an internet connection.
This practice provides several advantages. It facilitates archival of preferred titles, circumvents potential region-locking or availability issues on official platforms, and offers a way to maintain a personal digital library. Historically, the distribution of scanned and translated comics, often by fan communities, has led to the widespread adoption of this file format for consumption of this art form outside of Japan.