Atsumeru

Self-hosted manga and comics management, honestly reviewed. Built for readers who want their archive on their own server.

TL;DR

• What it is: Free, MIT-licensed self-hosted media server for manga, comics, and light novels — think Plex, but for CBZ files and ePubs, running on your own machine [3][4].
• Who it’s for: Manga and comics collectors who want a personal server with native desktop and Android clients, metadata management, and multi-user support. Most useful if you already have a large local archive.
• Cost savings: The only cost is the server you run it on — $5–10/mo VPS, or a home machine you already own. Competing SaaS options (like Kavita+ subscription) charge $15–30/yr for premium features; Atsumeru has no paid tier at all [3].
• Key strength: Native clients across all platforms (Windows/Linux/Mac/Android) with two-way reading progress sync — something most competitors outsource to third-party apps [README][3].
• Key weakness: 168 GitHub stars vs. Kavita’s 10,344 and Komga’s 6,157 [4]. Small community, limited third-party documentation, and noticeably sparse review coverage. This is a niche tool that you’re largely on your own with.

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What is Atsumeru

Atsumeru (集める — Japanese for “to collect”) is a self-hosted media server for manga, comics, and light novels. You point it at a folder of CBZ, CBR, CB7, PDF, ePub, FB2, or DjVu files, and it organizes them into a browsable library with metadata, categories, multi-user accounts, and reading progress sync. Access happens through native clients: Atsumeru Manager for Windows and Linux, and the Atsumeru Android app — plus a third-party option via AniLabX on Android [README][website].

The server is a Java application exposed as a REST API. A Swagger UI ships with it at localhost:31337/swagger-ui/index.html, which is the kind of detail that signals this was built by a developer for developers — or at least for people comfortable poking at APIs [README]. Docker deployment is supported alongside the raw .jar option [README][4].

The project is maintained by AtsumeruDev. GitHub metadata was not available at time of writing, but the awesome-selfhosted listing records a last commit of April 2026 and 174 stars [4]. This is a small, solo-or-tiny-team project with limited public community activity — that context matters when you’re deciding whether to build a long-term archive around it.

What Atsumeru does differently from the bigger players is in the detail layer. It introduces book_info.json, a custom metadata format designed specifically for the server, alongside standard ComicInfo.xml support [README]. It also ships a desktop management application (Atsumeru Manager) that can control the server and edit library metadata from Windows or Linux — a feature most competitors skip, delegating all management to the web UI [website]. The multi-user model includes separate reading histories and per-user access controls, not just a shared guest account [README].

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Why People Choose It

The honest answer is: they don’t choose it often, and there’s very little public record of why. Atsumeru has no dedicated third-party reviews and minimal Reddit discussion. When r/selfhosted discusses self-hosted manga solutions [1], the conversation centers on Kavita, Komga, Tachidesk, and Kaizoku — Atsumeru doesn’t surface in the thread despite being a viable option. The itsfoss.com roundup of self-hosted ebook servers [2] covers Calibre-Web, Kavita, and others without mentioning Atsumeru. The only directory entries for it [3][4] are automated listings, not hands-on reviews.

This isn’t necessarily a verdict against the software. It’s a verdict about the community. But it matters: if you hit a deployment problem at 11pm, there is no active forum of Atsumeru users to ask.

The case for choosing it over the alternatives comes from what the feature list offers rather than from community testimony:

If Tachiyomi/Mihon compatibility is non-negotiable. The r/selfhosted manga thread [1] identifies Tachiyomi extension support as critical for many users. Komga and Kavita both have this. Atsumeru supports reading via AniLabX on Android, which is a Tachiyomi-adjacent app rather than a Tachiyomi extension — this is a meaningful distinction for users already embedded in the Tachiyomi ecosystem.

If you want native desktop clients. Komga and Kavita are web-first — you manage them through a browser, and reading on desktop means the browser too. Atsumeru ships Atsumeru Manager as a native Windows/Linux application. For users who prefer native app experiences and spend a lot of time on desktop, this is a genuine differentiator [website][README].

If MIT license matters. Kavita is GPL-3.0 [4]. Komga is MIT, so that argument doesn’t distinguish Atsumeru from its closest competitor. But it’s cleaner than the GPL if you’re embedding this in something commercial.

If you want zero subscription tiers. Kavita gates AniList integration and some features behind Kavita+, a paid subscription. Atsumeru has no paid tier — every feature is included in the free self-hosted version [README][3].

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Features

Based on the README, website, and project documentation:

File format support:

• CBZ, CBR, CB7 — full support [README]
• PDF — full support [README]
• ePub — supported with limitations [README]
• FB2 — supported with limitations [README]
• DjVu — supported [README]

Library management:

• Autocategories, Custom categories, and Metacategories for organizing large libraries [README]
• Metadata auto-import from ComicInfo.xml (standard format) and book_info.json (Atsumeru’s own format) [README]
• Manual metadata editing with ability to pull from supported catalogs [README]
• Ability to download entire Series in supported client apps [README]

Multi-user:

• Multiple user accounts with separate reading histories [README]
• Granular per-user access controls [README]

Clients:

• Atsumeru Manager: native Windows and Linux app for reading and server management [website]
• Atsumeru Android app: native mobile reading with two-way progress sync [README]
• AniLabX: third-party Android client also supported [README]
• No official iOS client — data not available from sources

API:

• Full REST API [README]
• Swagger UI available at localhost:31337/swagger-ui/index.html [README]

Missing or limited (based on available data):

• No web reader — access requires a dedicated client app; there is no in-browser reading option mentioned in documentation
• ePub and FB2 support carries limitations not documented in available sources
• No OPDS catalog support mentioned (Komga and Kavita both support OPDS for e-reader compatibility)
• No AniList or MAL tracking integration documented — a notable absence given that Kavita includes this behind its subscription and it’s a top request in the manga selfhosted community [1]

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Pricing: SaaS vs Self-Hosted Math

Atsumeru has no SaaS option and no paid tier. The software is MIT-licensed and runs entirely on your own hardware [README][4].

Atsumeru self-hosted:

• Software: $0
• Hosting: $5–10/mo on a basic VPS (Hetzner CX21, DigitalOcean Droplet, Contabo), or $0 if you run it on a home server or NAS
• Ongoing cost: your time maintaining it

Kavita comparison:

• Self-hosted core: free (GPL-3.0)
• Kavita+: ~$15/yr for AniList sync and additional metadata features [per community discussion in [1]]
• 10,344 GitHub stars, active community, regular releases [4]

Komga comparison:

• Self-hosted core: free (MIT)
• No paid tier
• 6,157 GitHub stars [4]

Calibre-Web comparison:

• Self-hosted core: free (GPL-3.0)
• 16,971 GitHub stars [4]
• Better ebook format support (50+ formats including audiobooks) but web-only reading experience [2]

If you’re currently paying for a manga reading SaaS service (Azuki, Manga Plus, etc.) and want to move your own archive to a self-hosted solution, the cost comparison is simply: any of these tools vs. whatever you pay now. Atsumeru itself costs nothing. The question is opportunity cost — whether it’s worth choosing a 168-star project over a 10,344-star one when both are free.

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Deployment Reality Check

The README lists two install paths: the .jar file and Docker [README]. Docker is the practical choice for most self-hosters.

What you need:

• A Linux server with Java (for the .jar path) or Docker installed
• Enough RAM to run a Java application — expect 512MB–1GB minimum under load
• A folder of your existing manga/comics files to point it at
• Optional: a reverse proxy (Caddy or nginx) for HTTPS

What can go sideways:

The documentation lives at https://atsumeru.xyz and the project GitHub. This is a small project — if the maintainer’s website goes down or the project goes quiet, the wiki goes with it. That’s not a hypothetical; several small self-hosted projects have gone dark with no warning. Kavita and Komga both have more robust community documentation hosted independently.

The web UI situation is unclear from available sources. The website and README describe the server as accessed primarily through native clients (Atsumeru Manager, Android app), not through a browser-based reader. If you want to share your manga library with friends via a web link so they can read in a browser — the way Kavita, Komga, and Calibre-Web all support — this may not be the right tool. That feature is not documented as available in any source reviewed here.

The ePub and FB2 format limitations are noted but not explained [README]. For a pure manga/CBZ collection this doesn’t matter. For someone also managing a light novel collection in ePub format, those limitations are worth investigating before committing.

Realistic time estimate: 30–60 minutes for someone comfortable with Docker and a Linux command line. The official installation guide exists at https://atsumeru.xyz/installation/docker.html. For a non-technical user following the guide: 2–3 hours including reverse proxy setup.

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Pros and Cons

Pros

• MIT license, fully free. No paid tiers, no subscription, no feature gating. Everything in the README is everything you get [README][4].
• Native clients on all desktop platforms. Atsumeru Manager for Windows and Linux is a real desktop app, not a glorified browser window. For users who strongly prefer native experiences, this is a genuine advantage over web-only alternatives [website].
• Two-way reading progress sync. Native sync between server and Android client (and desktop app) — your place in a chapter follows you across devices [README].
• REST API with Swagger UI included. Easy to automate library management or integrate with other tools. The Swagger UI at localhost:31337 is a nice touch for developers [README].
• book_info.json metadata format. A richer metadata format than ComicInfo.xml for users who want more control over how their library is described. Worth learning if you’re migrating a large, carefully curated collection [README].
• Multi-user with granular access controls. Not just “admin and guest” — separate histories and access rules per user [README].

Cons

• Very small community. 168 stars, no dedicated reviews in any major tech publication, absent from r/selfhosted discussion threads about the category [1][2][4]. If something breaks, you’re largely on your own.
• No documented web reader. The application appears to require a dedicated client app (Atsumeru Manager or Android app) for reading — no in-browser reader is documented. This is a hard no for sharing a library with family members who won’t install an app [website][README].
• No OPDS support documented. Komga and Kavita both support OPDS, allowing e-readers (Kobo, PocketBook) to connect directly to the server. This isn’t mentioned anywhere in Atsumeru’s available documentation.
• No Tachiyomi extension. AniLabX is supported, but the r/selfhosted community identifies Tachiyomi extension support as critical [1]. Atsumeru is not in Tachiyomi’s extension catalog.
• No AniList/MAL integration. Tracking reading progress against AniList is a top request in the manga selfhosted community [1]. Atsumeru doesn’t mention this feature.
• ePub and FB2 limitations undefined. The README explicitly flags these as limited, but doesn’t say how. For light novel readers, this is a known unknown [README].
• Maintenance risk. Small, apparently solo maintainer. If AtsumeruDev moves on, this project could stall. Kavita and Komga have larger contributor bases and organizational backing.

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Who Should Use This / Who Shouldn’t

Use Atsumeru if:

• You have a large CBZ/CBR manga collection and want a server with a native desktop management app, not just a web UI.
• You’re a developer who wants a clean REST API to automate library management and doesn’t need Tachiyomi integration.
• You already use AniLabX on Android and want server-side sync.
• You want MIT license and zero paid tiers, and the features it offers match your use case exactly.
• You’re a self-hosting enthusiast who doesn’t mind being a de-facto early adopter with limited community support.

Skip it (pick Kavita) if:

• You want the most feature-complete self-hosted manga server with an active community, regular updates, web reader, and the widest format support [2][4].
• AniList/MAL tracking is important to you (Kavita supports this via Kavita+).
• You want webtoon/vertical layout reading mode (a specific request in the r/selfhosted community [1]).
• You want to share your library with friends via a web browser without requiring them to install anything.

Skip it (pick Komga) if:

• You need Tachiyomi extension support — Komga has an official Tachiyomi extension [1].
• You want a web reader for in-browser reading.
• You want an OPDS catalog for e-reader device compatibility.
• You want a larger community and better-documented project at similar (MIT) license terms.

Skip it (pick Calibre-Web) if:

• Your library is primarily ebooks in non-comic formats (EPUB, MOBI, PDF novels) [2].
• Format breadth (50+ formats) matters more than manga-specific features.
• You want audiobook support.

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Alternatives Worth Considering

From the awesome-selfhosted listing [4] and the r/selfhosted community discussion [1]:

• Kavita — 10,344 stars, GPL-3.0, .NET/Docker. The most feature-complete option: web reader, Tachiyomi extension, AniList support, webtoon mode, active community. The benchmark for manga/comics/ebook servers [2][4].
• Komga — 6,157 stars, MIT, Java/Docker. Closest to Atsumeru in license terms. Tachiyomi extension, OPDS support, web reader, and a much larger community [3][4].
• Calibre-Web — 16,971 stars, GPL-3.0, Python. Best if your collection mixes comics with standard ebooks. Format breadth and maturity are unmatched [2][4].
• Stump — 2,165 stars, MIT, Rust. Newer entrant with OPDS support and a focus on speed. More active development than Atsumeru with a growing community [4].
• Kapowarr — 927 stars, GPL-3.0, Python/Docker. Focused on western comics downloading and management rather than reading. Different problem to solve [4].

For a non-technical user who just wants a self-hosted manga server and doesn’t want to think about it, the realistic shortlist is Kavita vs Komga. Kavita if you want every feature. Komga if you want MIT license and Tachiyomi support without the GPL. Atsumeru belongs on the list only if you specifically want native desktop clients or the book_info.json metadata system.

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Bottom Line

Atsumeru is a technically capable manga/comics server with some genuine differentiators — native desktop clients, two-way progress sync, a custom metadata format, and a clean REST API. The MIT license and zero paid tiers are clean. But the honest picture is harder to ignore: 168 stars, no dedicated third-party reviews, absent from community discussions in its own category, and missing features (web reader, Tachiyomi extension, OPDS, AniList sync) that the most popular alternatives treat as baseline. If you need exactly what it offers and accept the maintenance risk, it can serve a library well. For most non-technical founders self-hosting a manga collection for the first time, Kavita or Komga are more defensible choices — more documentation, larger communities, and more features at similar or zero cost.

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Sources

1. r/selfhosted — “Self-Hosted Manga Solutions as of Mid-2023” (Reddit thread, 3 years ago). https://www.reddit.com/r/selfhosted/comments/154usnf/selfhosted_manga_solutions_as_of_mid2023/
2. Pulkit Chandak, It’s FOSS — “Here Are Your Choices for a Self-hosted eBook Server” (Feb 11, 2026). https://itsfoss.com/self-host-ebook-server-software/
3. Hosted Software — “Atsumeru — hostedsoftware.org”. https://hostedsoftware.org/tools/atsumeru/
4. Awesome-Selfhosted — “Document Management - E-books” (listing current as of April 2026). https://awesome-selfhosted.net/tags/document-management---e-books.html

Primary sources:

• GitHub repository and README: https://github.com/atsumeru-xyz/atsumeru (168 stars, MIT license)
• Official website and documentation: https://atsumeru.xyz
• Installation guide (Docker): https://atsumeru.xyz/installation/docker.html