Even great authors who have already achieved great success can also encounter difficulties in the Shonen universe. They can fall. This is what actually happened to Ken Wakui, the author of Tokyo Revengers. His new series has just been canceled after only a year of publication in Weekly Shonen Jump. The manga ends in chapter 50, a blow to both the author and his fans.
A renowned manga artist
Ken Wakui is primarily known for his work Tokyo Revengers. A mix of gangs, time travel, and emotional drama, the series has captivated millions of readers. It has even been adapted into anime, live-action, and translated into several languages. In short, it's a global phenomenon.
Buoyed by this success, many eagerly awaited Wakui's next project. It was Astro Royale. The announcement had created enthusiasm. Moreover,
Astro Royale offered an intriguing story. The hero, Hibaru Yotsurugi, is the biological son of a former yakuza leader. When his father passes away, he refuses to take over as head of the clan.
He instead chooses to make way for one of his adopted brothers. But this choice will spark tensions. Then, a supernatural event turns the universe upside down. Indeed, a meteor shower endows certain people with mysterious powers, called "Astro". Hibaru, for his part, receives "the most powerful fist in the world". In short, the atmosphere was there, but the public didn't follow.
A ruthless world
Note that each week, readers vote for their favorite series. Manga that fall too often in the polls find themselves threatened with cancellation. And Astro Royale unfortunately suffered this fate.
Despite a decent launch, the series failed to build loyalty. The polls remained mediocre. Many readers praised the universe, but criticized a plot that was too dense and sometimes confusing. Others hoped to recapture the emotion of Tokyo Revengers, but failed.
A brutal end for fans
The cancellation announcement surprised many. Even though some feared it, many thought that the series still deserved time. On social media, fans expressed their disappointment. Discussions flourished on Reddit, X, and dedicated forums.
Some fans regretted wasted potential. They felt that Astro Royale was beginning to find its rhythm. Others even shared unfinished fan art and theories. A mini-community had formed. Unfortunately, it is too small to influence the series' fate.
It's worth noting that other big names in manga have suffered the same fate. Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto, for example, saw his series Samurai 8 canceled after only 43 chapters. Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro, the author of Toriko, also experienced a similar case with Build King.
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