Shueisha has many magazines under its umbrella, but the flagship is undoubtedly Weekly Shonen Jump, where new installments of much of the world’s most popular manga are released every week. Among its most renowned creators is, of course, Eiichiro Oda, the mastermind behind One Piece for the entirety of its ongoing 28-year run. The series is on track to become the worldโs best-selling comic, even surpassing Superman. The feat Oda has achieved is truly unparalleled and will likely remain unmatched in terms of a single series run. However, this success did not come overnight, but it is the result of years of hard work and consistency, something reflected in his latest comments.
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Odaโs recent words were directed at young hopefuls aiming to become mangaka for Shonen Jump. While his message is encouraging, it also sheds light on the harsh reality of the workload mangaka must endure. Interestingly, before Odaโs remarks, Black Clover creator Yuki Tabata, who recently shifted his series to Jump GIGA, had also spoken about the relentless deadlines imposed by Shueisha. Together, these insights highlight the demanding and often unforgiving life of a mangaka under the magazineโs strict requirements.
Eiichiro Oda and Yuki Tabata’s Comments Shed Light on the Harsh Reality of Becoming a Manga Creator
In a recent comment released in Black Clover Volume 37 and translated by fans like @nite_baron on X, creator Yลซki Tabata, the basis for this recent controversy, revealed that he fell behind on his latest manuscript due to an event in Barcelona. He clarifies that he was forced to stay at a hotel near Shueisha after returning to Japan to finish Black Clover‘s latest release before going home.
His shift to the Jump GIGA magazine, which has fewer demands than Weekly Shonen Jump, reflects the lack of breathing room for creators, even in different outlets. While Tabataโs comments already expose this harsh reality, it is Eiichiro Odaโs brutal honesty toward aspiring mangaka that has been gaining traction, especially among the Japanese community.
Twice a year, the Tezuka Award is held, giving new creators the chance to submit a manuscript of 31 pages. As highlighted by @sandman_AP on X, Odaโs message to participants was blunt: submitting a 31-page manuscript should be a piece of cake. His remark stems from the reality of professional manga creation, where authors must produce 19 pages weekly, adding up to 456 pages annually.
Odaโs words make it clear that life as a manga creator is no joke; those entering the field must be ready to treat the workload as routine. Missing deadlines is not an option, as Tabataโs experience shows the strictness of Shueisha, and the struggles of Hunter x Hunter creator Yoshihiro Togashi further highlight the unforgiving work culture of the manga industry. Ultimately, the life of a mangaka remains extremely demanding and rigid.
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