To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Weekly Shonen Jump, Shueisha ran a creator spotlight called “Great Jump!!” (すごい ジャン!!) to get some thoughts of their current artists about Jump. The creator spotlight started in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 29 with both Nobuhiro Watsuki (Rurouni Kenshin) and Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) being interviewed. This spotlight continued in the following issue with 4 more creators in the 30th issue:
- Masanori Morita (Rokudenashi Blues, Rookies)
- Ryu Fujisaki (PSYCHO+, Hoshin Engi)
- Kazuki Takahashi (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
- Hiroyuki Takei (Itako no Anna, Death Zero, Butsu Zone)
The 3rd creator featured was Kazuki Takahashi, who had their Yu-Gi-Oh! (遊☆戯☆王) manga currently running in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1998. It was in it’s 2nd year of serialization and had it’s 86th chapter included in this issue.
The first portion features his top 3 manga recommendations, with a rough translation of each of his thoughts.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険), by Hirohiko Araki
It’s an amazing work that not only portrays the strengths of the characters, but also their weaknesses too, which creates a new type of hero!
Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳), by Tetsuo Hara (Art) and Buronson (Story)
I also liked “Fist of the North Star.” Especially the fight between Kenshiro and Raoh.
Shape Up Ran (シェイプアップ乱), by Masaya Tokuhiro
For some reason, this work left an impression on me. But I can’t remember why.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure was still on-going in Weekly Shonen Jump and had it’s 557th total chapter in the magazine with this issue.
Fist of the North Star was published in Weekly Shonen Jump between 1983 and 1988 and had a total of 245 chapters.
Shape Up Ran was published in Weekly Shonen Jump between 1983 (issue 26) and 1986 (issue 1-2) and ran for 128 chapters.
The spotlight continues with a question to Kazuki Takahashi about his experiences with Jump, which has been roughly translated below:
When speaking about Jump, my work is clearly influenced by “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.” I loooove it so much. It’s so amazing how it’s presented in such a cinematic, yet manga-like style. Part 1 is horror, Part 2 is adventure, Part 3 is a battle road movie, and Part 4 is suspense. Will Part 6 be a Sci-Fi movie!? I’m sorry for asking for such selfish things, Araki-sensei!!
Kazuki Takahashi also provided his own take on Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure as well.
The last portion of the article focuses on Kazuki Takahashi’s and his thought about his on-going Yu-Gi-Oh! series, the only series he had published in Weekly Shonen Jump at the time (again roughly translated):
This is a story about friendship, and that’s the kind of story I want to read. Stories about friendship almost seem forgotten today.
The final page of this Creator Spotlight from 1998 issue 30 featured Hiroyuki Takei (Itako no Anna, Death Zero, Butsu Zone), which has been detailed on our Patch Café partner website.
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