- ‘Shonen-si’ as Japanese Manga Magazine mainly for boys
- Number of copies per week, or month
- Masterpieces in each magazine
- A piece of advise by webmaster
- Who want to know Japanese culture
- Who like to read Manga, cartoons
- Who want to get knowledge of manga magazine
I heard there are many Manga magazine in Japan
Yes, Manga is very popular in Japan
I want to try it, however, I have no idea what is popular..
No problem, I would like to introduce Top 5 Manga Magazine in Japan !
With reading of this page, you will get above listed knowledges as well as Japanese have. I will be very glad if you could read this article to the end.
Thank you !
SHINTA+ / Japanese blog writer, born and raised in Japan, visited more than 20 countries, introducing Japanese culture to the world, with both domestic & international experiences.
What is ‘Shonen-Si’
Manga is very popular culture in Japan. And there are so many Manga magazines in Japan. There are 14 magazines issued with category as ‘Shonen-si’ as ‘Magazine for Boys’, according to JMPA (Japan Magazine Publisher’s Association)
Although it’s as ‘for boys’, various people read them, adults, women, etc, needless to say. Today, I would like to introduce 5 ‘Shonen-si’ with largest circulation, based on data by JMPA in 2020
Weekly Shonen Jump 1,572,833 copies per week
quotation source : https://www.shonenjump.com/j/sp/
‘Weekly Jump’ is the magazine with the largest circulation in Japan, in this category. The readers call it ‘Jump’ generally. More than 1.5 millions of ‘Jump’ are printed per week. First issue of ‘Weekly of Jump’ was in 1968. Since then, there are so many masterpieces serialized in ‘Shonen Jump’.
Keywords of ‘Weekly Jump’ are set as ‘Friendship’, ‘Effort’ and ‘Victory’. At least one keyword should be described in all of works in this magazine.
Masterpieces in ‘Weekly Jump’
- Kinniku man (1979-1987)
- Hokuto no ken (1983-1988)
- Dragon Ball (1984-1995)
- SLAM DUNK (1990-1996)
- ONE PIECE (1997- )
- ROOKIES (1998-2003)
- DEATH NOTE (2003-2006)
- Kimetsu no Yaiba (2016-2020)
I bought Jump every week in my childhood to read ‘Dragon Ball’ !
Weekly Shonen Magazine 627,533 copies per week
quotation source : https://shonenmagazine.com/smaga
‘Weekly Shonen Magazine’ is with the 2nd largest circulation in Japan, in this category. The readers call it ‘Magazine’ generally. More than 600,000 of ‘Magazine’ are printed per week. First issue of ‘Magazine’ was in 1959. Since then, there are so many masterpieces serialized in ‘Magazine’.
Specific point of ‘Magazine’ is that pinup photos are sometimes in a front page, which is different from ‘Jump’.
Masterpieces in Weekly Shonen Magazine’
- Kyojin no Hoshi (1966-1971)
- Ashita no Joe (1967-1973)
- Hajime no Ippo (1989- )
- Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo (1992-2017)
- GTO (1997-2002)
I love ‘Hajime no Ippo’ on Magazine !
Monthly Corocoro comic 526,667 copies per month
quotation source : https://corocoro.jp/#
‘Corocoro Comic’ is with the 3rd largest circulation in Japan, in this category. The readers call it ‘Corocoro’ generally. More than 200,000 of ‘Corocoro’ are printed monthly. First issue of ‘Magazine’ was in 1977. Since then, there are so many masterpieces serialized in ‘Corocoro’.
The specific point of ‘Corocoro comic’ is that generation of reader is very young, majority is less than teenagers. Another thing is that Manga corroborated with booming items. ‘Corocoro comic is supported by kids strongly.
Masterpieces in ‘Corocoro comic’
- DORAEMON (1969-1996)
- Oboccyama kun (1986-1994)
Corroborated items
- Bikkuri Man (1987-90)
- Mini Yonku (1988-91)
- Pockemon (1996-2019)
- Beyblade (1999-2004)
- Yokai watch (2013- )
Corocoro is mainly for elementary school students.
I read it when I was a boy !
Monthly Shonen Magazine 249,497 per month
quotation source : http://www.gmaga.co/latest/
‘Monthly Shonen Magazine’ is with the 4th largest circulation in Japan, in this category. More than 200,000 of ‘Magazine’ are printed per month. First issue of ‘Monthly Magazine’ was in 1974. Since then, there are so many masterpieces serialized in ‘Magazine’.
Masterpieces in ‘Monthly Magazine’
- Tensai Bakabon (1975-1978)
- Tekken Chimmi (1983-1997)
- Syura no Toki (1989-2019)
- Kazehikaru (1990-2006)
- BECK (1999-2008)
I have not read it, honestly speaking …
But it is supported by consumers well !
Weekly Shonen Sunday 232,500 copies per week
quotation source : https://websunday.net
‘ Weekly Shonen Sunday’ is with the 5th largest circulation in Japan, in this category. More than 200,000 of ‘Sunday’ are printed per week. First issue of ‘Weekly Sunday’ was in 1959. Since then, there are so many masterpieces serialized in ‘Magazine’.
Masterpieces in ‘Shonen Sunday’
- Osamatsu kun (1962-1969)
- Makoto chan (1976-1981)
- Urusei Yatsura (1978-1987)
- Touch (1981-1986)
- Kyokara Orewa (1990-1997)
- Meitantei Konan (1994- )
- Monkey Turn (1996-2005)
Touch is masterpiece of Baseball Manga in Japan !
Summary
In the end, I would like to summarize the points of this article.
- Weekly Shonen Jump
- Weekly Shonen Magazine
- Monthly Corocoro Comic
- Monthly Shonen Magazine
- Weekly Shonen Sunday
I read ‘Weekly Shonen Jump’ in my childhood !
Postscript
How was the content today ?
Manga is very popular culture in Japan. Even in younger generation, people are very familiar with Manga. Actually, I read ‘Jump’ every week for Dragon Ball and SLAM DUNK when I was a child. It was so excited and good memories.
I hope this article could assist you to understand Japanese culture and to have nice experience in Japan. You will see ‘Shonen Manga Magazine’ in book stores, convenience stores, etc.
Thank you for reading and see you again!
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