A middle school in Nakano, Tokyo, rang out with the chime that marked the end of the school day.
The campus buzzed with voices, laughter, and hurried footsteps as students broke into groups, walking together down the hallways or out into the courtyard. Some were animatedly chatting, others already lost in their own worlds.
But not all students were headed straight for the school gate. A large number of them turned toward the gymnasium, the club rooms, or the sports fields—off to participate in their daily bukatsu, the after-school club activities that were ingrained in the Japanese school culture from elementary all the way through to university. With the exception of third-year high school students preparing for entrance exams, most students remained active in their clubs.
Of course, not everyone belonged to a club. There were always the so-called "Go-Home Club" kids too.
"Hey, Sano... are we really skipping today's club like this? Is that okay?"
Two boys, both wearing the traditional blazer-style Japanese school uniforms, hurried toward the gate. They each carried their school bags in one hand and ignored the disapproving glance of the school security guard as they slipped off campus.
"Relax, Kawaguchi. I already told the club I wouldn't be there today. We're totally in the clear."
The taller boy in front waved his hand, clearly annoyed by the question.
"I mean, yeah, it's JUMP release day and all… but do we really have to rush? Haven't we always been able to find it in stock before?"
Kawaguchi, the shorter of the two, looked puzzled.
"That's only true on normal weeks. Do you even realize what today is?" Sano shot back, never slowing his stride. "Today's the new serial debut—happens once every three months. And the bookstore closest to our place sells out fast. If we're not there early, we'll have to walk halfway across town to get a copy. I'd rather spend that time reading, not searching."
Sano's legs were long and his pace even longer. Kawaguchi had to half-jog just to keep up.
"You're not chickening out or anything, are you?" Sano glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "If you're scared of getting in trouble, don't worry. This school's pretty lenient about club attendance."
"Who's scared?!" Kawaguchi puffed up his chest, bristling at the insinuation. "Back at my old school, I used to ditch club all the time!"
Ah, the pride of adolescence—especially sensitive to taunts. At this age, nothing stung quite like being looked down on.
"Then pick up the pace. The other schools around here will have the same idea. Damn, why is there only one bookstore in this whole neighborhood? This is freakin' Tokyo, man!"
"You've been buying from the same place for a while now, right?" Kawaguchi asked as they crossed the intersection. "Couldn't you ask the owner to hold a copy for you?"
"You think I didn't try?" Sano clicked his tongue. "That old guy may look all friendly with that smile, but he doesn't trust us students at all. I've asked him a bunch of times, and every time he just brushes me off. He probably thinks we'll run off without paying or something…"
The two continued their lively chatter as they neared a small, aging bookstore—the only one within walking distance of their school.
"Yo, Sano. You're here early."
A chubby middle-aged man behind the counter greeted them with a squinting smile. Without being asked, he reached up to the shelf and plucked down a fresh, shrink-wrapped copy of Weekly Shōnen JUMP.
As Japan's most prominent manga magazine, JUMP had a massive following. Every week, it sold millions of copies. Bookstores and convenience stores alike eagerly stocked it, knowing it would always sell.
"Make that two, boss."
"Ah, your friend. Kawaguchi, right? Thought I recognized you."
The owner handed over another copy, speaking in a casual tone.
"That'll be 460 yen, boys. Thanks as always."
The two students each paid up. Sano didn't even wait—he tore open the plastic wrap then and there and flipped straight to the table of contents.
"Huh? DOIS got axed?! But I swear it wasn't even near the bottom of the rankings…"
His eyes darted down the list, scanning for the manga he'd been following.
"Big changes this week," the owner said knowingly as he tucked their coins into the register. "I heard they cut four series in one go. You should check out the new ones. The first one's called Naruto—pretty damn good. I read it earlier when the shipment came in. Can you believe the creator's only sixteen? But his art doesn't look like a rookie's at all. Great storytelling too. I've been saying this industry's been in a slump lately… looks like JUMP finally decided to step up."
Sixteen?! Kawaguchi stared at the bold headline on the cover: "A Brilliant Debut—A Genius Manga Artist, Age 16!"
"That makes him, what, like two years older than us?!"
"Yep. First time in JUMP history, too. And he's not just riding on the 'young prodigy' gimmick—the guy's legit talented. The art's pro-level, and he's got a real knack for pacing and emotion. I'll bet he blows up big time."
Not far away, a tired office worker flipping through shelves happened to overhear. The mention of a "historic debut" piqued his interest.
"Hey boss, give me a copy of the latest JUMP too."
"Coming right up!" the owner said cheerfully, already reaching for another issue.
The flow of students at the door increased. With early dismissal giving them a head start, they were able to grab their copies before the after-work crowd descended. Of course, office workers had the advantage of grabbing theirs from train station kiosks, so they rarely rushed to stores like this.
Sano and Kawaguchi exchanged a glance. For the first time, they were genuinely curious about this new manga by someone just a little older than them.
"We're outta here, boss!"
"Watch yourselves on the way home," the man replied, still smiling without looking up.
This same scene was playing out all across Japan.