@Sandai:
If that were the case it would've never ran for 9 years with over 370 chapters.
Or it could just be the fact that it was extremely popular among all it's fangirls, i mean konomi had valentine's day polls where each character would be given chocolate based on votes. Fangirls pretty much rule the world, just ask Sasuke.
Not to mention the musicals, never count out musicals. Apparently there's a chinese drama happening as well.
The series imo hit it's peak during the 1st Seigaku vs. Rikkai encounter when chibisuke defeated the emperor in the most retarded way i've ever seen.