Every year, publishers introduce noteworthy manga series that expand their fan base through anime adaptations and other media, continually gaining new readers and maintaining their popularity. A crucial factor in creating these hits is fostering manga artists, and Weekly Shonen Magazine by Kodansha has seen remarkable success with young creators in recent years. We interviewed editors and the editor-in-chief to uncover the reasons behind the ongoing success of these “rookie” manga artists.

In recent years, Weekly Shonen Magazine has produced several hits like The Quintessential Quintuplets, Blue Lock, and Tokyo Revengers. These works have thrived through media adaptations, including anime and stage productions. Particularly notable is Blue Lock, whose illustrator, Yusuke Nomura, debuted with this series in the magazine and has already achieved early success as a young artist. Interestingly, Nomura previously worked as an assistant on Attack on Titan, showcasing a smooth transition to becoming a successful manga artist.

Success Stories of Emerging Artists

Marcey Naito, the author of Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister, also exemplifies success. After receiving the Special Encouragement Award at the 98th Weekly Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Awards and the Bronze Rookie Award in the November 2019 Jump Rookie! contest, Naito began serializing this manga. Its first volume saw an immediate reprint upon release and has continued to thrive, leading to an anime adaptation.

The Importance of Supporting New Talent

Nurturing rookie manga artists is a team effort, primarily driven by the Weekly Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Awards. “Many new creators submit their works to these awards, and editors often take on these creators as their mentees. Through consistent collaboration, they aim for higher achievements, honing their skills along the way,” explains a Weekly Shonen Magazine editor.

“Newcomer manga awards in weekly shonen magazines are a gateway for aspiring artists, attracting submissions primarily from individuals in their teens and twenties. Many of these works revolve around fantasy and battle themes,” adds a representative of the Weekly Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Awards, which is the longest-running of its kind.

Spotlight on ‘GALAXIAS’: A Record-Breaking Masterpiece

At the 108th Weekly Shonen Magazine Newcomer Manga Awards in 2022, GALAXIAS by Ao Hatesaka won the top honor, the Special Selection Award. This fantasy story follows a boy who loses his family to a giant dragon and encounters a dragon girl. Notably, the work earned the highest score in the award’s 60-year history, stunning the editorial team.

“It’s rare for a Special Selection Award to be granted, and this work achieved the highest score in the history of our newcomer awards,” remarks a veteran editor with over 30 years at Weekly Shonen Magazine. “It was as shocking as when I first read Hiro Mashima’s early works (EDENZ ZERO, Fairy Tail, RAVE). This is undoubtedly one of the finest works of the past 30 years.”

Since July 2024, Hatesaka has been serializing a remade version of their award-winning entry, now a fantasy battle manga titled GALAXIAS. With high reader popularity, the first volume has already been released, and the second is slated for February 17 next year. Before becoming a manga artist, Hatesaka worked under the alias “Omao,” designing music videos and album covers for famous artists like Ayase (MIKUNOYOASOBI) and Ado (DIGNITY).

Editor-in-Chief Shin Taro Kawakubo’s Vision for New Talent

Since assuming the role in September 2022, Shin Taro Kawakubo, who previously worked on Attack on Titan, The Quintessential Quintuplets, and Gachi Akuta, has greenlit approximately 20 new series, half of which are by rookie artists. “Through my experience, I’ve come to believe that it’s always the new manga artists who reshape the history of shonen manga. That’s why, as editor-in-chief, I’ve been actively increasing opportunities for newcomers to serialize their works,” Kawakubo explains. “I’m excited to see who will change history next.”

As the manga industry evolves, the spotlight remains on emerging talents. Who will be the next young genius to lead the way? Only time will tell.

Source : ORICON NEWS