Shopping Guide
Recently, the flow of e-books and online magazines have been rapidly progressing. This flow has finally reached Japan’s largest manga magazine. On July 13, the 2013 issue 33 of Weekly Shonen Jump published by Shueisha was released digitally at the same time the traditional magazine was released. Beginning with the Jump Bookstore, this issue is now available on all major e-book sites. There was no announcement of this prior to its digital release; it was a big surprise that was announced the same day it was released. Weekly Shonen Jump won’t be the only digital publication from Shueisha to be available for a fee the same day the paper magazine releases, it is just the first.
One of the reasons for implementing this surprising new format is that issue 33 also happens to be the 45th anniversary issue. This milestone issue features an abundance of topics including the start of the serialization of a new manga from Akira Toriyama, well known for such works as Dragon Ball, called Galaxy Patrol Jaco. This anniversary issue is being heated up even more due to it being the first issue to implement paid distribution.
Digital copies of the english version of Weekly Shonen Jump have already begun being distributed in North America. Because of this, there was speculation that some kind of digital format for the magazine would begin in Japan as well. Whether or not the magazine will continue to be released in a digital format from here on is still unknown. However, if there is a positive reaction from this digital issue, there is a good possibility that it will.
The digital version of issue 33 of Weekly Shonen Jump costs 300 yen including tax, which is slightly more than the paper edition, which costs 250 yen including tax. The higher cost is reflected in the extra content that the digital version contains. Shueisha is also implementing bonuses that are limited to the digital version. In addition to the monochrome serializations of One Piece, Naruto, Kuroko no Basuke, and Ansatsu Kyoshitsu, full-color versions are also included. Also, Dragon Ball × One Piece: Cross Epoch, which was serialized in 2007 issues 4 and 5, and Kochikame: Jump 40 Year History Journey, which was serialized in 2008 issue 34 have both been reissued. Furthermore, a special called “45th Visual Jump!!” is also included in the digital version only. There are many times when the price of a digital version is reduced when it goes on sale simultaneously with the paper version. However, this daring digital version gives off a premium feel, so even though the price is a bit higher, it is well worth it. In this way as well, it feels like Shueisha is challenging itself with something new.
Source: AnimeAnime
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