WSC 2016 Round Up

2016 Round Up

2016 was by all means a good year for Champion. From 10 new series 2 have breaken out and will become hits while 3 are still pending but they will probably survive.

It started off badly with a long time series ending, Ika Musume, and series doing really poorly to the point that the volume releases 2 onward were digital only for Nikoben and BADBROS.

Archist no Tinplate also ended it wasn't a big hit but it was a safe series that sold an average amount for Champion standards.

Midori no Yuugure and Afterschool Wizard Club were both unfortunate cases that didn't fair that well and were cancelled but they at least will have all volume released in print. Maru Yuu Kunoshima san is still on going but its obviously going to end soon enough and it didn't fare too well but I still expect all volume to be released in print. From all three authors I expect a better more well rounded manga in the future. Surving with battle manga in Champion has been a tough challenge recently and I believe these authors have what it takes to succeed with a battle manga so I sincerily hope they receive a second chance.

Nekogami Jarashi!, started in Issue 19, it was received well by the public and its pinned as Ika Musume's replacement but it sales weren't great but it should have an increase in volume 2.

Then we come to Rokudou no Onnatachi, started in Issue 30, that was received incredibly well by the public which resulting into even getting a cover very early on. Its volume sales were good for a volume 1 and its getting a reprint so it obviously did well even bettter than expected by the sales department.

BEASTARS, started in Issue 41, its doing quite well at the moment. I have seen a lot of praise for it in japanese forums and I myself find it to be a great series. It was originaly a short series called Beast Complex that featured from Issue 14 to Issue 17 from earlier this year and it was well received resulting into it becoming a full series. Volume 1 is set for release in 6th of January; I expect decent sales for it which comfirm its survival.

Following that came Atsumare! Fushigi Kenkyuubu from Anbe Masahiro, a fast return from Ika Musume. Its a series that will be like Ika Musume and will only get 2 or 3 volumes per year due to its lower page count. Its doing incredibly well and its will definitely have great sales when volume 1 comes out, most likely in March. 

The last new series Berlin wa Kane Yahoo, its similar to Mokuyoubi no Furutto meaning it only gets two pages per Issue but its reception is good. Another thing to note is that it originally came from Champion Tap.

A great year with 5 new series doing well. Rokudou no Onnatachi could potentionally become a big hit. BEASTARS is no slouch either and it could be become a hit basing on how it will definitely be loved by critics. Atsumare! also has the making of a big series that will likely get an anime in future.

Rate for WSC in 2016 - 7/10

It could have been higher but the couple of failures especially of battle manga keeps it from being an ever better year.