Shueisha’s Jump brand announced on May 30, 2023, that they are planning to launch a new manga app called “Jump TOON,” a vertical scrolling manga service, sometime in 2024.

Shueisha stated that they aim to create hit titles in the vertical reading manga format by taking into consideration their extensive experience and knowledge in creating numerous works in double-paged spread manga format.

“We aim to create hit titles in vertical reading manga by making use of our experience and know-how in creating many works in the world of double-page spread manga.“

Moreover, they have also revealed that they have established a new manga award, called “Jump TOON AWARD,” in order to discover new talents and works.

The grand prize winner of the award will be getting cash prize of 1 million yen, along with a guarantee serialization of their work on Jump TOON.

Takanori Asada, who will be the editor-in-chief of Jump TOON, will be leading the judging process of the award. Asada has launched multiple hit series like One-Piece, BLEACH, and others.

Lee Hyung-suk, the CEO of Red Seven, will also be joining the judging panel for the first edition of the manga award.

Asada and Hyung-suk have expressed their opinions regarding the vertical scrolling manga service, check them out below:

Asada’s comment:

Shueisha’s Jump Group’s identity is rooted in the concept of “walking alongside talent.” We have been and will continue to accompany authors of double-page spread manga, but we also recognize the gathering of diverse and talented authors in the world of vertical reading manga. We do not adhere to the notion that vertical scroll manga must fit within a specific genre to be accepted. Such a mindset would stifle creativity. Our goal is to bring enjoyment to readers, to surprise them. We aspire to collaborate with authors who possess such intentions, as we walk together with Jump TOON on this path.

Hyung-suk’s comment:

Vertical reading, including webtoons, is a new form of manga expression that has emerged from the vast sea of digital comics. Optimized for smartphone reading and armed with the power of color, this new manga format has the potential to captivate tens of millions of readers worldwide. We eagerly anticipate the emergence of new talents who will charm readers with this innovative manga expression.

Shueisha Inc. is a Japanese company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. Shueisha is the largest publishing company in Japan. It was established in 1925 as the entertainment-related publishing division of Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The following year, Shueisha became a separate, independent company.

Manga magazines published by Shueisha include the Jump magazine line, namely shonen magazines Weekly Shonen Jump, Jump SQ, and V Jump, and seinen magazines Weekly Young Jump, Grand Jump and Ultra Jump. They also publish other magazines, including Non-no. Shueisha, along with Shogakukan, owns Viz Media, which publishes manga from all three companies in North America.

Source: Twitter, Comic Natalie