It’s been an interesting few years forShōnen Jump. After dominating the manga industry for over a decade, many of its most popular and groundbreaking titles, such asJujutsu Kaisen,My Hero Academia, andBlack Clover, have either concluded their serialization, transitioned to sister publications, or have entered indefinite hiatus.
However, if the powers behind the weekly manga anthology magazine, one of the world’s premier sources of manga content, were concerned about the loss of readership and revenue resulting from the departure of those titles, it’s not apparent from the manga that has been slotted intoShōnen Jump’scoveted lineup. In fact, more than a few readers have noted that the replacements fail to inspire much interest.
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The Infamous Reader Survey Is Key To Shonen Jump’s Success
Shueisha’sShōnen Jumpwasn’t always the leader in manga. When it launched its first issue in 1968, rivals likeKodansha’sShōnen Magazineand Shogakukan’sShōnen Sundayhad already dominated the industry for nearly a decade, firmly establishing themselves as the defining voices of manga. As the newcomer struggled to gain traction, Shueisha’s top management made a series of bold, forward-thinking decisions. The first and most pivotal was tapping into reader feedback to guide its editorial strategy, a move that would later help the magazine achieve widespread shōnen manga success.
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As discussed in Frederik L. Schodt’s bookManga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics, from the very beginning,Shōnen Jump’s editors sought to distinguish their publication from older, more established competitors. One of the key strategies they employed was the “Anketo System,” a reader survey mechanism that continuously gauged public opinion to determine which manga series would remain in the magazine’s lineup and which would either be canceled or moved to less prestigious publications.
While often seen as harsh toward creators and frequently criticized as one ofShōnen Jump’s more controversial practices, the system has proven effective. Within a decade,Shōnen Jumphad gained significant market share with enduring titles such asKochiKameari: Tokyo Beat Cops(1976) andRing ni Kakero(1977). The Anketo System is widely credited with helpingShōnen Jumpdiscover and cultivate legendary hits likeDragon Ball,Naruto,Bleach, andOne Piece, among many others. This approach has contributed toShōnen Jump’s rise as the dominant force in manga today, a position that is only wavering just now.
Shōnen Jump’s Newer Lineup Of Titles Are Not Like Their Predecessors
Whatever benefits the Anketo System provided in the past, it is faltering in the present.Aside from a few titles, the rest of the currentShōnen Jumpmanga lineup does not seem to be capturing the hearts and minds of its readership. And the discontent is not hard to find. As posted on their X (formerly Twitter) account,Shōnen Jumpfan@summerskyrenderperfectly captures the mood of the manga anthology’s fandom, stating, “The lineup is in a bad place right now. I think it’s time to cull the deadweight.”
Considering the history and tradition of shōnen manga, along withShōnen Jump’s influential role in shaping it, @summerskyrender’s take likely resonates with many fans. Traditionally, shōnen manga has catered to male teenagers and young adults, with stories overwhelmingly centered around action, adventure, sports, and all forms of combat. While other genres, such as comedy, romance, andslice-of-life narratives likeRuri Dragon, certainly have a place in shōnen, they have historically been the exception rather than the norm. Some of the recently concludedShōnen Jumpseries, such asJujutsu Kaisen,My Hero Academia, andDemon Slayer,exemplify the classic hallmarks of shōnen storytelling.
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However, the titlesShōnen Jumphas recently added to its lineup don’t seem to follow the typical elements of shōnen manga. Take, for instance,Shiba Inu Rooms, which centers on a new apartment owner trying to deal with a dog left behind — one that happens to be possessed by a ghost. Then there’sStar of Beethoven, which tells the story of a struggling music student who is visited by a reincarnated Beethoven and receives tutoring on how to become a better musician.
OrOne-PunchMancreator ONE’sBug Ego, which follows two students as they explore life hacks that, when executed precisely, can make life more convenient, but if done incorrectly, can lead to serious trouble. While these stories all have intriguing plots that could develop into something special, it doesn’t seem like there will be much eye-popping action from their pages. That does not bode well for success in a brand that, for decades, has been known for publishing high-energy, plot-driven series often featuring dynamic fight scenes, clear-cut goals, and rivalries with high stakes.
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Interestingly, according toShōnen Jump’s own rankings published onShueisha’sManga Pluswebsite, these specific titles don’t appear to be resonating strongly with the readership. This is noteworthy becauseShōnen Jumphas historically shown little hesitationin canceling underperforming series, often regardless of how long they’ve been running. This raises the question of whether the magazine’s editorial policy has shifted. Alternatively, assuming the Anketo System remains a crucial part of their process, perhaps the internal dataShōnen Jumpis analyzing indicates a change in the preferences of the typical shōnen manga fan.
Conversely, regardless of what the numbers say, the new titles might reflect a broader systemic shift, such as manga creators or publishers no longer wanting to invest decades of time and energy into a single series, especially in an increasingly dynamic market. As noted in aCBRarticle,Shōnen Jumpappears to be pivoting from long-running series to shorter ones, often concluding in under 300 chapters. While this remains speculative, if true, it could explain whyShōnen Jumpis incorporating more non-traditional shōnen manga titles of questionable popularity into its lineup.
Whatever the reasoning behind its new slate of titles, it’s clear that none will achieve the legendary status of older titles likeNarutoandBleachor the mainstream success of recent hits likeJujutsu KaisenandDemon Slayer.To regain its former dominance,Shōnen Jumpmust revisit the types of stories that catapulted it to the top. Rather than quirky, genre-bending titles, it needs to focus on stories that embody the coreShōnen Jumpidentity: action-packed adventures with epic battles. By returning to its roots,Shōnen Jumpcan once again strike fear into the hearts of its competitors and reclaim its position as a leader in the manga industry.
Shonen Jump
Shonen Jumpis one of Japan’s most successful manga anthology franchises, published by Shueisha. Launched in 1968, it is the source of some of the most beloved and popular anime and manga series, such asOne Piece,Dragon Ball, andNaruto. The franchise has extended into multiple adaptations across various media, including anime, films, video games, and merchandise.
