Shueisha has not yet finalized what will happen to the nearly 300 manga receiving their first official translations through MANGA MILLION once the limited-time project ends. The revelation comes from Shuhei Hosono, Editor-in-Chief of MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA and the initiative’s creator, in an exclusive written interview with OtakuKart.
MANGA MILLION was launched as part of Shueisha’s 100th-anniversary celebrations, bringing approximately 400 manga titles and one million pages to readers in more than 100 languages. While major franchises including One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man are included, the project’s nearly 300 first-time translations could be its most significant long-term contribution.
Hosono confirmed that Shueisha is already considering ways to keep those newly translated works available after the campaign. However, the company has not committed to a specific platform or distribution method yet.
Shueisha Is Considering MANGA Plus and Licensing Deals
When asked by OtakuKart what would happen to the nearly 300 titles after MANGA MILLION, Hosono said the company intends to connect them with future developments.
“We are currently considering whether to make these titles available on MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA or to explore other formats,”
Hosono explained.
Importantly, Shueisha is also open to working with international publishers and distributors that want to bring individual titles to their local markets. Hosono added,
“Naturally, we would be delighted to receive offers from local licensees.”
That means the end of MANGA MILLION does not necessarily mean the end of these manga’s international availability. Instead, the campaign could function as a way for Shueisha to identify titles with potential overseas audiences before deciding how they should be distributed longer term.
Hosono also emphasized that discovering unexpected readers and markets is one of the outcomes he is most interested in. A lesser-known series becoming popular in a particular language or territory could therefore influence which MANGA MILLION titles receive further international opportunities.
MANGA MILLION is currently available worldwide for a limited time through Shueisha’s official platform.
