‘You Can Read It Digitally’: Weekly Shonen Jump Sells Out In Japan As One Piece Card Scalpers Leave Blue Box Fans Empty-Handed

The 33rd issue of Weekly Shonen Jump sold out at bookstores and convenience stores across Japan after scalpers targeted its bonus One Piece Card Game promotional card, leaving many readers unable to purchase the magazine, including fans hoping to own a physical copy of Blue Box‘s final chapter.

Ahead of the issue’s release, publisher Shueisha announced it had increased the print run by 500,000 copies in response to the popularity of the One Piece Card Game, though it did not disclose the total number of copies printed.

Despite the additional supply, the magazine quickly sold out nationwide as resellers purchased multiple copies to obtain the bonus card.

Some card shops in Tokyo reportedly bought the promotional card for around 1,000 yen. Cards were also listed for sale on flea market apps at prices exceeding the magazine’s cover price.

The shortage particularly frustrated Blue Box fans, as the issue contained the manga’s final chapter after a five-year serialization.

While the chapter is available through the digital edition of Weekly Shonen Jump, many fans said they wanted the print edition as a keepsake. Social media was filled with complaints from readers who said they could not find a copy, with many blaming scalpers for preventing fans from purchasing the commemorative issue.

Per an interview by Oricon, a university student acknowledged buying approximately 25 copies of the magazine and reselling the bonus cards.

According to him, he planned the most efficient route and collected around 25 copies within an hour, buying five to seven copies at a time from stores that did not restrict sales.

He said he sold about 20 promotional cards for between 800 yen and 1,000 yen each, earning roughly 18,000 yen before deducting the cost of purchasing the magazines.

While some stores refused to buy the cards or offered lower prices, he said he eventually sold the remaining cards as well, resulting in an overall profit. He added that traveling to Tokyo to complete the sales consumed more time than acquiring the magazines themselves.

When asked whether he considered the impact on readers who could not purchase Weekly Shonen Jump, the student dismissed the criticism.

“You can read it digitally anyway,” he said. “I understand why people want the physical copy, but I don’t feel like I’ve done anything wrong.”

The buying frenzy also surprised convenience store employees. One clerk interviewed by Oricon News said customers began grabbing copies “the moment I put them on the shelf,” describing the atmosphere as “a little scary.”

Source: Oricon