As one of the most successful series in the anime and manga world, it’s hard to believe that Shonen Jump ever turned down Attack on Titan.
It’s no secret that much of the world’s most popular and popular manga comes from Shueisha’s Shonen Jump or one of its sister publications. From Dragon Ball to My Hero Academia and everything in between, Shonen Jump stands as a powerhouse in the manga industry. Although contrary to what some may believe, Attack on Titan is one of the rare exceptions.
In fact, while Attack on Titan author Hajime Isayama introduced his story idea for Shonen Jump, it was ultimately rejected. It’s a decision the giant will likely regret following the series’ rapid success in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine, a publication known for titles like A Silent Voice and xxxHolic.
Attack on Titan is an epic action series that follows Eren Yeager on his quest to destroy the Titans – giant humanoid creatures – that have pushed the rest of humanity into cities surrounded by three walls. . Now completed with 34 volumes and 139 chapters, Attack on Titan has become a worldwide success with over 100 million copies released as of 2019, making it one of the best-selling manga of all time.
While it’s unclear exactly why Shonen Jump rejected Attack on Titan, it’s hypothesized that the heavier and more violent elements of the story didn’t blend well with the magazine’s visuals at the time. there. There is also speculation that Isayama’s art style in the first part of the story may not have been refined enough by the publisher’s standards.
These principles were expanded upon when Shonen Jump canceled the Time Paradox Ghost Writer series, many finding the requirements to be published in shonen Jump’s magazines very difficult. For example, due to its popularity, Shonen Jump is extremely difficult to break into, and with the number of submissions it receives, a story idea needs to be refined and compelling from the outset to even stand a chance. has been released once.
The strongest evidence for why Attack on Titan was rejected is an alleged quote from Isayama expressing that Shonen Jump’s weekly publication will be difficult for him, which may have included in the firm’s decision. However, Bessatsu Shonen Magazine publishes monthly, giving Isayama much needed time to work on the story further and polish his art with each chapter.
Shonen Jump seems to have learned from this huge loss as it has since expanded its franchise to include more genres. For example, Jujutsu Kaisen and Kaiju No. 8, two manga with darker tones, have found a home with Goku and Luffy. The hugely popular Chainsaw Man has been praised by fans and critics alike for its dark humor and gore woven into its plot with a highly anticipated anime adaptation coming out next year. this fall. The magazine has also succeeded in launching more light-hearted series such as the sports-romance Blue Box and the supernatural-comedy Dandadan.
Despite that, Attack on Titan has been an important figure in the anime and manga community since its debut in 2009. Its intricately woven compelling story and characters have Push the boundaries of storytelling and have an impact on many people. And like many other great works, Attack on Titan will likely influence future comics for a long time to come.