It’s been an interesting few years for Shōnen Jump. After dominating the manga industry for over a decade, many of its most popular and groundbreaking titles, such as Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Black 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 into Shōnen Jump's coveted lineup. In fact, more than a few readers have noted that the replacements fail to inspire much interest.

By Valuing The Opinions Of Its Fans, Shōnen Jump Becomes A Manga Titan

The Infamous Reader Survey Is Key To Shonen Jump's Success

Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump wasn’t always the leader in manga. When it launched its first issue in 1968, rivals like Kodansha’s Shōnen Magazine and Shogakukan’s Shōnen Sunday had 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 to guide its editorial strategy, a move that would later help the magazine achieve widespread shōnen manga success.

As discussed in Frederik L. Schodt’s book Manga! 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 of Shōnen Jump’s more controversial practices, the system has proven effective. Within a decade, Shōnen Jump had gained significant market share with enduring titles such as KochiKameari: Tokyo Beat Cops (1976) and Ring ni Kakero (1977). The Anketo System is widely credited with helping Shōnen Jump discover and cultivate legendary hits like Dragon Ball, Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece, among many others. This approach has contributed to Shōnen 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 current Shōnen Jump manga 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) , Shōnen Jump fan @summerskyrender perfectly 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 with Shōnen 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, and slice-of-life narratives like Ruri Dragon, certainly have a place in shōnen, they have historically been the exception rather than the norm. Some of the recently concluded Shōnen Jump series, such as Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer, exemplify the classic hallmarks of shōnen storytelling.

However, the titles Shōnen Jump has 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’s Star 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.

Or One-Punch Man creator ONE's Bug 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.

For Shonen Jump To Return To Its Peak Popularity, A Reevaluation Of Its Roster Is Essential.

Interestingly, according to Shōnen Jump's own rankings published on Shōnen Jump has historically shown little hesitation in 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 data Shōnen Jump is 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 a CBR article, Shōnen Jump appears 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 why Shōnen Jump is 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 like Naruto and Bleach or the mainstream success of recent hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer. To regain its former dominance, Shōnen Jump must 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 core Shōnen Jump identity: action-packed adventures with epic battles. By returning to its roots, Shōnen Jump can once again strike fear into the hearts of its competitors and reclaim its position as a leader in the manga industry.

Shonen Jump

Created by

Takashi Isono, Kazuhiko Torishima

First Film

Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

Shonen Jump is 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 as One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Naruto. The franchise has extended into multiple adaptations across various media, including anime, films, video games, and merchandise.

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