For decades,Weekly Shonen Jumphas stood as the dominant force in the manga world, producing iconic series that define generations. But its reputation for cultivating blockbuster hits is now clashing with concerns over accountability. Shueisha’s recent decision to bring back a creator with a highly controversial past, Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro, has many fans questioning where the line is drawn between talent and ethics.
Shimabukuro, best known for the hit mangaToriko, is set to return with a new one-shot titledBaka Battle, according toComicBook. Yet, this comeback is not just a nostalgic return for a once-successful artist, it also reopens wounds from a troubling chapter in Jump’s history.The creator’s 2002 conviction for child prostitution casts a long shadow over his reappearance, and the move is prompting significant backlash both within Japan and abroad.
A Shonen Jump Return Shrouded in Controversy
Shonen Jump Bets on a Creator With a Horrific Criminal Record
Shimabukuro’s reentry intoShonen Jumpis not without precedent, but that does not mean it is justified. After his 2002 conviction, his original seriesSeikimatsu Leader den Takeshi!was pulled, but Shueisha quietly allowed his return years later in other publications. His later success withTorikohelped the public memory of his crime fade, but never fully disappear.
Toriko was notable enough to be featured alongside juggernauts likeOne PieceandDragon Ballin cross-promotional anime specials. Despite that visibility, his past never entirely went away. While some fans separated the art from the artist, others saw Shueisha’s support as enabling someone who should have been permanently removed from the spotlight.
His most recent serialization attempt,Build King, launched in 2020 but was canceled within a year due to poor performance. Still, Shueisha is offering him another chance, this time with a new one-shot. Even ifBaka Battleremains a standalone, history suggests it could be a trial balloon for something more.
The Problem With Shonen Jump’s Double Standards
Shonen Jump’s Ethics Problem Is Not New, It Is Just Back
The decision to bring Shimabukuro back highlights a broader, more uncomfortable truth:Shonen Jumphas a complicated history when it comes to creatorsaccused or convicted of serious offenses. While some artists have been permanently removed from the lineup, others, like Shimabukuro, seem to receive second or even third chances, depending on their previous commercial success.
This double standard sends a damaging message: that commercial viability can excuse almost anything. For a magazine trying to evolve with the times and cultivate a new generation of readers, that kind of inconsistency is not just a PR risk, it undermines the integrity of the entire brand. It leaves fans wondering whether Shueisha prioritizes ethics or earnings.
The optics ofShonen Jumprehiring a creator convicted of child exploitation could spark boycotts or broader condemnation, especially in Western markets where accountability is often expected.
Worse still, this kind of move risks alienating female readers and international audiences who are increasingly vocal about the behavior of public figures. The optics ofShonen Jumprehiring a creator convicted of child exploitation could spark boycotts or broader condemnation, especially in Western markets where accountability is often expected.
Shueisha is Playing With Fire for the Next Big Hit
A Regressive Move in a Time of Industry Change
Shonen Jumpis currently in a transitional phase. WithJujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and other long-runners ending or winding down, the magazine is scrambling to find its next anchor title. It has launched several new series this year, but none have become the breakout sensation it needs. That desperation may explain why the publisher is circling back to veteran names.
For Shueisha, bringing back a known creator, even a controversial one, might seem like a safer bet than gambling on unknown newcomers. But in doing so, the company risks dragging old scandals into the spotlight and turning the excitement of new content into a moral minefield. Rather than building momentum,Baka Battlemight force readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the industry’s values.
That would signal that Shueisha is not only willing to overlook past crimes, it is willing to reward those who committed them, provided they can deliver a hit.
This is not just about one one-shot. IfBaka Battleis successful, it could lead to a full serialization. That would signal thatShueisha is not only willing to overlook past crimes, it is willing to reward those who committed them, provided they can deliver a hit.
A Step Backward When the Industry Should Be Moving Forward
Why Shonen Jump’s Risk Could Damage Its Legacy
In recent years, the anime and manga industries have made strides toward greater transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. This makes Shimabukuro’s return feel like a regression that clashes with the progress fans have fought for.By giving someone with a conviction of child exploitation another platform,Shonen Jumpsends a dangerous message to both its readers and its creators.
The controversy also puts other Shueisha artists and editors in an uncomfortable position. If the company supports someone with a criminal past while newer voices struggle to get serialized or maintain a readership, what does that say about the culture behind the scenes? It reflects an organization more concerned with legacy and profitability than with building a sustainable, ethical future.
Readers want bold stories and original talent, but they also want publishers to be accountable. If Shueisha truly wants to usher in a new generation of manga, it needs to reflect the values of that generation. That means making space inShonen Jumpfor fresh creators who have not left behind a legacy of harm.
Shonen Jump
Shonen Jumpis one of Japan’s most successful manga anthology franchises, published by Shueisha. Launched in 1968, it is the source of some of the most beloved and popular anime and manga series, such asOne Piece,Dragon Ball, andNaruto. The franchise has extended into multiple adaptations across various media, including anime, films, video games, and merchandise.
