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Futabasha Publishers’ Manga Action and Akita Shoten’s Young Champion are both manga magazines aimed at young men. Both of the long-running magazines are popular, so we can say that they are rivals. However, the two companies have decided to carry out a very unique collaborative project, including a cross-over introduction of each other's magazine.
The two companies agreed on the theme of “Making Tuesday even more exciting,” since they both go on sale on Tuesdays. What’s more is that Manga Action is sold on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, whereas Young Champion goes on sale on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. The magazines are mutually complementary; by reading both of them you can come across and enjoy different manga every Tuesday. Thus, they are creating a “Tuesday Alliance.”
To begin with, the project logos feature Futabasha’s Crayon Shin-chan alongside Akita Shoten’s Black Jack. These symbols of collaboration will be boldly printed on both of the magazines' front pages and articles, and then distributed in bookstores all over Japan. The Feb. 24 Young Champion issue will come with a clear file folder featuring the special insignia, while the March 3 Manga Action issue will be included with an original postcard.
Another interesting point is that the same love story that takes place in Kyoto will be told by both magazines, but with different perspectives. Daisuke Imai (popular for Seed and Hiru) will present the story from a woman’s point of view in Manga Action, which will interact with a manga in Young Champion expressed from a man’s perspective.
Adding to this, sneak previews for both magazines will also be posted in each issue, making this a very rare collaboration.
In addition, a gift campaign and an ebook “Alliance” project will be carried out as well. Also, a special website has been set up and can be accessed below. The two magazines are planning to cooperate for one year.
Source: animeanime
