What makes a manga become a major hit? According to Shuhei Hosono, the answer may have less to do with following a perfectly calculated formula and more to do with the creative relationship between an artist and an editor. Hosono, Editor-in-Chief of MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA and an editor who has worked on Chainsaw Man, Gintama, Haikyu!!, Kuroko’s Basketball, SPY×FAMILY and DAN DA DAN, shared his perspective in an exclusive written interview with OtakuKart.
His comments came while discussing how manga can cross cultural and language barriers through Shueisha’s MANGA MILLION project. Rather than pointing to a specific drawing technique or established formula, Hosono highlighted the importance of inexperienced creators bringing something deeply personal to their work.
Why Rookie Manga Creators Can Produce Major Hits
Hosono explained that many successful Weekly Shonen Jump series begin with a partnership between inexperienced creators on both sides of the editorial process.
“Many Jump series are born from the partnership between a ‘rookie manga artist’ and a ‘rookie editor,’”
Hosono told OtakuKart.
He argued that these series are not necessarily successful because their creators have mastered a precise formula. Instead, the artist’s deeply personal “initial impulse” can be transferred directly into the manga, giving the work an identity that feels fresh and authentic.
According to Hosono, that raw creative energy can capture the spirit of its era and connect with readers outside Japan. This helps explain why manga with distinctive concepts or unconventional approaches can develop international audiences without being specifically designed for global markets.
Hosono also identified character appeal as another important ingredient. He described this quality as a form of “non-verbal appeal,” suggesting that compelling characters can communicate with readers even when they encounter a story through a different language or cultural background.
His comments offer a broader look at how Shueisha develops manga talent, particularly as MANGA MILLION introduces hundreds of titles to readers worldwide.
