News
Shueisha to Launch New Monthly Magazine
posted on by Christopher Macdonald
In the May issue of Monthly Shonen Jump, it was confirmed that the magazine, which had been launched by Shueisha in 1970, would cease to be published after the July issue, which will be available in early June.
This news, along with the announcement of a new monthly manga anthology, was first reported in late February. At the time, Shueisha made no mention of the fate of the manga currently serialized in Monthly Shonen Jump.
With the official announcement made in the May issue, which went on sale April 6, Shueisha has confirmed the launch of the new manga anthology, set for autumn 2007. According to the announcement, which can also be read online, the new magazine will pick up several titles from Monthly Shonen Jump, including Norihiro Yagi's Claymore.
In the meantime, Claymore will move to Weekly Shonen Jump and will appear in that magazine once per month before being transfered to the new publication. The announcement does not specifically state whether or not Claymore will appear in the first issue of the new magazine, nor does it state the name of the new magazine.
According to Jiji Tsuushinsha, the Monthly Shonen Jump is being retired due to sales numbers that are down 66% from when the magazine was more popular. According to the Japan Magazine Publishing Association (JMPA), "Monthly Shonen Jump" has been selling about 380,000 copies of the magazine each month. By comparison, rival publication "Monthly Shonen Magazine" sells about 990,000 copies a month.
Thanks to Vitruvius for this item.
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history