The February issue of Bessatsu Shonen Magazine, released on January 9, saw its sales surge by an impressive 2.5 times compared to the previous issue. Kodansha announced on January 16 that the jump was fueled by Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama’s involvement in the manga Soyogi Fractal. Isayama served as the storyboard artist for the manga, marking his return to manga creation after a decade.

A Collaboration with Voice Actor Yuki Kaji

Soyogi Fractal is a spin-off of Yuki Kaji’s 20th-anniversary project. Kaji, who voiced Eren in the Attack on Titan anime, initiated this multimedia project centered on the character Soyogi Bon, an AI-based voice synthesis software inspired by his voice. The manga adaptation was penned by Isayama with illustrations by the talented newcomer Kai Noshigami.

Special Features

The February issue features cover art drawn by Isayama and a center color spread illustrated by Noshigami. The magazine also includes a one-shot manga titled The Theory of an Ill-Natured Man and AI, which is only available via the print or digital editions of the magazine.

Fans have flooded social media with praise, calling it a “classic Isayama-style story” and “absolutely gripping.” Within just a week, the magazine’s sales soared 2.5 times in stores and 1.7 times on digital platforms.

About Soyogi Fractal

The manga’s plot is a wild blend of comedy and action, featuring an AI that gains self-awareness only to be overworked at a black company. For fun, it debuts as a VTuber, goes viral, and inadvertently sparks a crisis that threatens humanity’s survival.

The project reflects Kaji’s vision of creating a space where creators, regardless of their background, can collaborate freely and innovate without constraints. The name “Fractal” symbolizes the geometric patterns formed when creators with shared ideals come together to weave something entirely unique.

Comments from the Creators

Yuki Kaji:
"This is a golden opportunity! Don’t miss it!! Together, let’s make history. Soyogi Fractal is a project I’ve poured my life into. I entrusted its first original story to none other than the person I admire most, Hajime Isayama. I am deeply grateful for his enthusiastic acceptance."

Hajime Isayama:
"I joined this project at Kaji-san’s invitation. It’s been about ten years since I worked on a manga outside Attack on Titan, and I’m once again reminded of how difficult creating manga is. However, since I’m not in charge of the final artwork, I can draw as many complicated compositions as I want and leave the rest to someone else. It’s fantastic!"

Source : ORICON NEWS