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Frustration over missing volumes: a common issue

Manga Fans Unite | The Frustration of Empty Spaces in Collections

By

Liam O'Shea

Jun 29, 2025, 07:36 AM

Edited By

Ravi Patel

2 minutes (approx.)

A collector looking at empty spaces on a shelf, frustrated over missing volumes in their book collection
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In a recent thread on popular forums, a surge of discontent arose among manga collectors over the all-too-familiar sight of empty spaces on their shelves. When does missing volumes become a point of contention? This conversation sparked strong emotions as collectors expressed their struggles in organizing their favorite series.

The Empty Space Dilemma

The post highlighted a common frustration: collectors often face gaps in their meticulously organized collections. One collector lamented, "I hate it when thereโ€™s empty space between there and I canโ€™t fill it up with the next volume of the series in question." With many people organizing their libraries alphabetically, these missing pieces can throw off the entire aesthetic.

Community Suggestions Pour In

Commenters rallied to offer solutions, showcasing their own creative ways to handle these empty gaps. Key themes that emerged included:

  • Alternative Filling Options: Suggestions ranged from utilizing specific volumes to recommend titles that fit the space. One user suggested, "For JoJo you can fill it up with a volume of Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan."

  • Creative Uses for Gaps: Some offered ideas like using empty cases for video games that align with the stories, such as the JoJo battle royal game.

  • Emotional Connections: The sheer irritation spawned lively responses, with one commenter admitting, "I feel rage looking at this."

User Engagement and Sentiment

The discussions reflected a mix of humor and seriousness, with many expressing that such gaps cause more frustration than they should. It seems this minor organizational issue can lead to significant passion among fans.

"Thatโ€™s where you store your notes." โ€“ insightful comment linking functionality to aesthetics.

Key Insights from the Discussion

  • ๐Ÿ”น Many collectors find empty spaces frustrating and emotionally taxing.

  • ๐Ÿ”ธ Creative solutions offered include using different volumes to fill gaps.

  • ๐Ÿ‚ Feelings of irritation are widespread, with several expressing outright frustration.

As collectors grapple with the nuances of organization, this ongoing dialogue illuminates the deeper connections fans have with their manga collections. Itโ€™s more than just books on a shelf; itโ€™s about showcasing passion, stories, and personal tastes.

The timing of these discussions could not be better, as new releases continue to flood the market, and the quest for completeness never truly ends.

The Road Ahead for Manga Collectors

As manga continues to gain popularity, thereโ€™s a strong chance that the demand for consistent release schedules will grow as well. With collectors actively discussing their frustrations, publishers are likely to take notice and consider strategies to minimize gaps in series availability. Experts estimate around a 60% probability that this could lead to more pre-order incentives or alternative formats for hard-to-find volumes. As fans share their concerns, collaboration between fans and publishers could generate innovative solutions, possibly even new titles catered to fill those empty spaces on shelves.

Reflections from the Land of the Calendar

This situation mirrors the efforts of vintage vinyl collectors from the 1970s, who faced similar gaps in their records due to unpredictable pressings. Like todayโ€™s manga fans, they turned their frustrations into community-driven solutions, sparking local meet-ups and exchanges that revitalized long-forgotten treasures. Just as vinyl records have made a comeback, it appears that these zealous collectors of manga might likewise rally together to forge stronger connections, helping one another fill in their gaps while revisiting the joys that come with sharing their collections.