The "Shueisha" Thread

Mumbling2

And I don't think this was mentioned before, but Shonen Jump Alpha(well now just Weekly Shonen Jump…you know, North American version) has totally adopted the Japanese Jump poll system. It totally sucks. They used to just have you rank all the series you read that week, you could exclude ones you didn't read, but now they only let you rank your top three.

I've been a subscriber to SJA for a year and I never knew there was any polling or ranking system. Is it reflected in the table of contents as well? If so, Cross Manage isn't doing to bad in North American. Not that it matters.

Aohige_AP

@RobbyBevard:

Hence, when a million years ago Oda said in an SBS that he was about 3 chapters ahead of the audience, he didn't mean he had a three chapter buffer, he meant he was working on the chapter going to press that week… by default, 3 weeks ahead of the reader getting it.

One thing to note, Akimoto actually does have weeks/months of stock chapters ahead.
Which is quite impressive considering how time-sensitive many of his chapters are on current topics.
Then again, that man has this whole cranking out manga thing down to an exact science.

fana

@Aohige_AP:

The rank in TOC is a "generally affected by poll positions". They are by no means exact.
Editorial chooses the order, which can be affected by its marketing and intent to showcase some promising series.
Aside from editorial intervention, it is "generally" based on polls.

As for the 8 weeks, it's never been officially stated, but hinted by various sources including those in the industry.
The eight-week comes from the fact every Jump manga is protected for the minimum of 2 month from instant cancelation. Every manga gets 8 weeks of chance. Also, manga being canceled is given notice of 8 weeks maximum. The 8 weeks rule pop up in various instances of Jump editing.
General rule of thumb, TOC rankings seems to reflect an average of undisclosed weeks of publication, 8 weeks and older.

That's what I think. It's far more believable to think that way than to what a lot of people seems to believe in all the TOC threads I've seen.

For example, I see comments such as : X is 7th and Y is 12th in the TOC. This means that 8 issues ago, the chapter from X was more popular than the one from Y.

This kind of comment is pointless because you don't know exactly the process behind the TOC.
Maybe it's the opposite but the chapters from X that came around that issue were more popular thus X is still considered more popular.
Or the X chapter that comes in the next issue is more interesting and deserve more attention.

Also, you could consider editorial choices such as :

spreading the different genres of manga (not grouping the gag manga even if the polls say so)
leaving a manga which is ending in the bottom of the TOC regardless of the polls because it's pointless to promote it

My point is we should not overanalyse the TOC. The only conclusions we can make are :

series always on top of the TOC and with frequent covers/color pages are the more popular
series that stay on the bottom of the TOC for a while are in danger of cancellation

Aohige_AP

The point is, no one is doing what you're suggesting.

No one here discussing the TOC rankings are taking it at full face values, we all are aware it's a general tendency guideline.
The rankings in general are correct majority of the time. Bringing in exceptions (i.e. editorial intervention) at every corner is actually the "overanalyzing".
General discussion is NOT. You actually have it backwards, expecting the exception for every ranking.
You are overanalyzing, as you put it, the posts yourself.

In otherwise, you're preaching to the choir (not to mention you asked the question in the first place).
Stick around a little longer and you'll see.

fana

Well I'm used to seeing comments that suggest the contrary. Maybe, it's different in this forum

gordanham

@Mumbling2:

I've been a subscriber to SJA for a year and I never knew there was any polling or ranking system. Is it reflected in the table of contents as well? If so, Cross Manage isn't doing to bad in North American. Not that it matters.

They are kinda secretive about it. It is really annoying. It is only meant for subscribers, but I actually think anyone can take it….. so yeah, they kinda ignore questions about it A LOT. The survey is sent in an email every Monday when the new issue comes out. You should get it automatically if you have a subscription. And Idk if it will happen to you, but the email is also really wonky. I always have to switch browsers just to display the images properly, and sometimes the links are even broken.

They did also say that they will actually be adding the poll to the issue itself on the last page. Pretty cool, but yeah, I don't know if that will start with next week's issue or maybe not until sometime February.

Somewhere

Huh, wish I knew about the SJA polls earlier. Thanks for the info!

leokiko

@gordanham:

They did also say that they will actually be adding the poll to the issue itself on the last page. Pretty cool, but yeah, I don't know if that will start with next week's issue or maybe not until sometime February.

Wow, really? Will that reflect on the japanese issue as well? 'Cuz that would be cool.

Also, two of the three new series have gotten a mid-to-bottom ranking, any chance that ultra ecchi cook manga(that I have yet to read) will do better?

valiantt

I'm pretty confident that Soma will survive. It has quite a bit going for it. Besides, it doesn't have much competition when it comes to being knocked out of Shounen Jump like the more action/adventure based titles (Toriko…really doesn't count as Soma's competitor. Yeah, both are about cooking, but they are still completely different).

Cruithne

So apparently SJA is gonna be simultaneous with the Japanese version now.

maxterdexter

!

Don Quichotte De Flamingo

1PceXperience

gordanham

@leokiko:

Wow, really? Will that reflect on the japanese issue as well? 'Cuz that would be cool.

The chances of it reflecting in the Japanese issue is probably less than .1%.
It may only reflect the order series are placed in Alpha (well now Weekly Shonen Jump, same name as the Japanese counterpart, I know, confusing) which I hope is true, because Cross Manage was second this week. And of couse, they will use it to see what kind of new serials readers tend to go for the most.

Interesting to see how One-Punch Man will fair on Monday. I am looking forward to it, but even if there is a lot of action, gaggish manga have never done well in America….....

And for all those Jump analysts out there, does JP Weekly Jump tend to add new serials around the same times every year? I feel like it's about every three months? Idk.

No Maam

I have a bit of a question. While reading Sakigake Otokojuku I noticed that in Ataru's notes he mentions how the series was "falling apart" ,in volume 30/31. Anyone know what this reffers to ? Was it tanking in the ratings or volume sales or something else ?

Silverblade

Otokojuju's rankings don't look all that bad in 1991 when it ended. Except for the last two chapters that were dead last in the ToC, it dropped only twice to the bottom five, and for the most of the time stayed in the middle, and even claimed the top five seven times.

Obviously there are no saled data for the individual volumes, but Otokojuku has made it into Shueisha's all-time bestseller list with 26 something millions of sold books. I guess it's safe to assume Ataru refers to Miyashita's poor handling of the story.

No Maam

@Silverblade:

Otokojuju's rankings don't look all that bad in 1991 when it ended. Except for the last two chapters that were dead last in the ToC, it dropped only twice to the bottom five, and for the most of the time stayed in the middle, and even claimed the top five seven times.

Obviously there are no saled data for the individual volumes, but Otokojuku has made it into Shueisha's all-time bestseller list with 26 something millions of sold books. I guess it's safe to assume Ataru refers to Miyashita's poor handling of the story.

I'm a bit confused then as to why he'd cut the Seven tusks arc short not only by skipping two tusks completely, but also two of the fights of the final one while KOing one of the other two opponents without even realy getting into a fight. It just seems….odd that he'd do that.

Somewhere

Hey, for you guys outside of NA, think this link is legit?
http://viz.weekly-shonen-jump-launch-poll.sgizmo.com/s3

–-

http://mangahelpers.com/forum/showthread.php/78903-Weekly-Shonen-Jump-2012-2013-Discussion-and-TOC-Talk-Part-4?p=3263217&viewfull=1#post3263217
More from Zeromcd…
I really hope that the bottom of that post regarding who's getting axed is true, as I'd really like Cross Manage to survive.

Maxy B

@Aohige_AP:

"If they can't prove it wrong it's right" is a Devil's Proof though. It's arguably the worst argument to make.

I've been in this since the mid 80s.
Jump editorial system isn't a constant rule, and changes along with the editorial members, especially the chief editor.
The eight weeks rule is, as reliable as it may be, still an assumption based on observation.

Yeah, I actually agree with you, I was saying it more as an admittance that I'm as wrong as anyone.

Anyway, yeah that poll seems legit, they've done surveys through that site before, IIRC
(still on holiday, so briefness!)

Gizmo

From mangahelpers (though it seems too good to be true)
http://mangahelpers.com/forum/showthread.php/78903-Weekly-Shonen-Jump-2012-2013-Discussion-and-TOC-Talk-Part-4/page70

Jump Issue #09 TOC
**Toriko (Cover, Lead CP, Movie Announcement)
Naruto
One Piece
**Shokugeki no Souma (First Ranking)
PSI Kusuo Saiki
Kuroko no Basket
Assassination Classroom
Rookie Policewoman Kiruko-san
**Haikyuu!! (Center Colour)
Sket Dance
Hungry Joker
**Nisekoi (Center Colour, Character popularity poll results)
Beelzebub
Cross Manage
Bleach
Gintama
Medaka Box
Kochikame
Retsu!!! Date-senpai
**Kurogane (END)

Jump Issue #10 Information
**Lead CP/New Series: Koi suru Edison (26pg.)
**Center Colour: Shokugeki no Souma (Extra Pages), Assassination Classroom
**END: Retsu!!! Date-senpai

Jump Issue #11 Information
New Series: World Trigger****************

–-------------
If it is true, yay Soma.
Glad Cross Manage might have some more legs in it yet (thought as much given the pacing, so hopefully there's enough time for a proper ending)
And I think it's the first time AssClass wasn't in the top three/five
And with kaze dropping early spoilers I believe this is legitimate

IgorGB

It seems weird to announce the end of a series in the preview, I'd say it's false because of that.

I'd love to see Kurogane end, though.

ShimpanzeeThat

whoa, it maybe false, becouse of what IgorGB said + no HXH on hiatus thing in the bottom + isnt it kinda weird to announce Movie in Toc section..

RDarren

Maybe the editor's comment at the end of the chapter for Retsu already hinted that next issue will be the last chapter. It's not that uncommon. And it was from kaze sooo… Anyways, heck yeah Souma! I'm optimistic about this series' stand in the rankings since day one. Hope it sticks up there for a while.

Aohige_AP

fuck yeah, go Soma!

Somewhere

Souma deserves it!
…what the heck happened in Naruto that chapter to grab that non-lead #1?
And go survival-of-Cross Manage!

auem

i like Souma…glad to see it in such position....kiriko san made great jump in second raking too!!..

Naruto will stay in top 3 for coming weeks as this rating is for the chapter where rookies arrived...

gordanham

According to Yaraon, this is the proper rankings. I don't see any confirmation on Date Sempai ending though.
(NSFW) http://yaraon.blog109.fc2.com/blog-entry-14146.html

@Somewhere:

And go survival-of-Cross Manage!

AND TOTALLY YES TO THIS! It already passed the two volume chapter count, but so has Date, so I am desperately hoping Date will be the one cut next week. As long as there isn't a third series they will be adding this time around, we should be good for another few months as long as it isn't cut next week.

Gizmo

And the clincher if people still are doubting.

http://www.imagebam.com/image/844d05233571958

!

Bonney_AP

from kaze

Kurogane (END)

GJardim

This is the first "bad" ranking of Assassination Classroom or did it already dropped off the top 3 before?

FKM

@GJardim:

This is the first "bad" ranking of Assassination Classroom or did it already dropped off the top 3 before?

The second chapter, rank in 6th place too.

GJardim

@FKM:

The second chapter, rank in 6th place too.

I see. Then Karma was introduced and it was on top for a while.

Also I read Souma's first chapter, it's crazy but in a good way.

maxterdexter

@ŁǓḞḞỲ-SǺŊ:

http://www.imagebam.com/image/c20492233571988

What's this? a Pro Eddison manga??? OUTRAGEOUS!!!

darktravis

Some nice surprises in this TOC.
-Great first ranking for Soma.
-Cross Manage(s) to survive another round.
-Trash manga gets thrown out.

Nothing initially appealing about the look of the new manga but we'll wait and see as usual.

Gokuyuske

I can't believe Naruto is on top; it's been unbearably bad lately.

Whoooo go Soma!

Luffyfan

I think people were just excited that some favorites came back, its been forever since they've seen some of them.

Cruithne

@maxterdexter:

What's this? a Pro Eddison manga??? OUTRAGEOUS!!!

But where is Nicholas Tesla.

maxterdexter

@Cruithne:

But where is Nicholas Tesla.

If it is pro-Edinson, he either is the villian (!!!) or the protegee turned evil (!!!!!!!!)

I can't support that manga.

Cruithne

Pot twist: Tesla was the real hero all along.

Aohige_AP

Medaka spoiler guy confirmed it, Date ended.
Let's see if the axe was for only two manga, or if there's a third victim…..

stephen

@Aohige_AP:

Medaka spoiler guy confirmed it, Date ended.
Let's see if the axe was for only two manga, or if there's a third victim…..

@Aohige_AP:

Medaka spoiler guy confirmed it, Date ended.

@Aohige_AP:

Date ended.

No Maam

@stephen:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kjodc3l6vlo/ULJHlAFriSI/AAAAAAAADdU/ioZyAKV-LFI/s1600/nasa-celebration.gif

Was it that bad ? I mean SWOT/Metalica Metalluca levels bad ?

Also on the topic of the later, if that did manage to stick around, as american Jump staff seemed to have predicted, I'd love to see all the wankery over the name and whether/how it should be changed due to the presence of a certain band in the english speaking world that might take issue with it etc.

Gliblord

@stephen:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kjodc3l6vlo/ULJHlAFriSI/AAAAAAAADdU/ioZyAKV-LFI/s1600/nasa-celebration.gif

This was my reaction to Pajama na Kanojo getting the axe

Gizmo

Jump Issue #10 TOC
**Koi suru Edison (Lead CP, New Series)
Naruto
One Piece
PSI Kusuo Saiki
Bleach
**Assassination Classroom (Center Colour)
Kuroko no Basket
Toriko
**Shokugeki no Souma (Center Colour)
Nisekoi
Sket Dance
Haikyuu!!
Beelzebub
Gintama
Medaka Box
Kochikame
Hungry Joker
Cross Manage
Rookie Policewoman Kiruko-san
**Retsu!!! Date-senpai (END)

Jump Issue #11 Information
Lead CP: World Trigger (New Series)
Center Colour: Koi suru Edison, PSI Kusuo Saiki, Nisekoi******** Jump Issue #11 will be out a day earlier than usual next week.

valiantt

Wow…
with Date and Kurogane gone, I suppose it is pretty obvious that HJ and Kiruko-san has taken its place as the next ones to be axed (really Kiruko-san? I guess Moe for Moe's sake isn't good enough. Maybe in another moe-centric magazine, but probably not jump). Naruto still on the top as well as Bleach jumping up a bit...wierd. It'll probably go down eventually, but Assclass hasn't been top three in the past few weeks. Wonder what is happening?

GetsugaZoro

Dont comment much on this but Naruto is again in front of One Piece? when One Piece is in an awesome arc and Naruto is on a dragging boring fucking war? oh and Bleach is forth wow.

Deviant_Mugen

Wow, Kiruko dropped drastically in the rankings, compared to last week. Moe and slice of life just don't attract Jump's demographic, I guess…

KzTxL7

EDIT: My Mistake, You were talking about Retsu! Date-Senpai right? Cause I will be infinitely sad when Medaka Box gets cancelled.

Somewhere

Assclass is a center colour this week. Series getting picked for colour pages have to be kind of spread out through the middle, don't they? So they don't count, as far as the 8-issues-ago polling theory goes, from what I've heard elsewhere.

Is the Bleach issue reflected here the one introducing squad zero, or the one after that?

valiantt

@GetsugaZoro:

Dont comment much on this but Naruto is again in front of One Piece? when One Piece is in an awesome arc and Naruto is on a dragging boring fucking war? oh and Bleach is forth wow.

The reason why Naruto has been on top (last week and this week) is because this chapter (as well as the one before it) featured the return of most fan's favorite characters back into the main serie. Therefore, naturally it will be rather popular until the novelty wears out (give it 2-3 more weeks tops.) However, it IS possible that Naruto will manage to remain on top for a little longer if the fans are suckered by Neji's death chapter.

@Deviant:
In terms of Kiruko's shortcomings: I think the moe novelty wears off really fast in this one for some reason. Aside from the moe factor, the story is really not that funny or charming. It runs on only ONE gag (ex-Assassin becoming a standard police woman) and it has gotten really predictable after 2-3 chapters. There is really nothing to read in this serie aside from seeing Kiruko's moe-ness.

Look at Assclass for example. It is technically the same genre: action-ish, slice of life (as well as assassins too). However, it is infinitely better for several reasons.
1.Variety of characters to freshen the narrative
2.In spite of being slice of life, the story is focused and heading towards a particular direction.
3.Set up in chapter 1 was brilliant
4.The terrible (personality-wise) characters are balanced with good ones.
5.Narrative/setting more relateable to the Jump audience.

I should have considered the possibility that Kiruko might be (somewhat) competing against Assclass (though the latter is lacking the moe-ness which somewhat differentiates it, but not enough to succeed I suppose).