Anime & Manga Weekly — 2026-05-20
This week's biggest story is a stark industry warning: Japan could lose the equivalent of 400 anime episodes worth of production capacity by 2030 due to deepening labor shortages and poor working conditions. On the manga front, beloved series *Bocchi the Rock* resumed serialization after a health-related hiatus, while *Dragon Ball Super* is generating major buzz ahead of its long-awaited return. The week also saw a flurry of new licensing announcements and a rare editorial controversy at Weekly Shonen Jump dominating fan discourse.
Anime & Manga Weekly — 2026-05-20
This Week's Top Headlines
Japan's Anime Industry Could Lose 400 Episodes Worth of Production by 2030
- What happened: A warning from animator support advocates — citing labor shortages and chronically poor working conditions — projects that Japan's anime industry could shed the equivalent of 400 episodes of annual production capacity by 2030 if systemic reforms are not made.
- Why it matters: The projection underscores a structural crisis that has been building for years. Fewer animators entering the industry, combined with burnout and low wages, threatens the volume and quality of anime that global audiences have come to expect.
- Key facts: The warning was reported by Animehunch on May 20, 2026, citing advocacy group Jun. No specific studio names or government data were attached to the figure in the available report.
Bocchi the Rock Manga Resumes Serialization After Health Hiatus
- What happened: Creator Aki Hamaji's hit music manga Bocchi the Rock has officially resumed serialization after being placed on hold due to Hamaji's health issues. The return was announced on May 18, 2026.
- Why it matters: Bocchi the Rock inspired one of the most praised anime adaptations of recent years (CloverWorks, 2022), and the manga's return will delight a devoted fanbase that has been anxiously waiting.
- Key facts: No specific chapter number or magazine issue details were provided beyond the resumption announcement.
Bocchi the Rock Manga Resumes Serialization - News - Anime News Network
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Weekly Shonen Jump Editor Controversy: Lady Justice Author Speaks Out
- What happened: Ken Ogino, the author of the cancelled Weekly Shonen Jump title Lady Justice, publicly stated that editors at the magazine insisted on erotic content as a precondition to publishing his superhero series featuring a female protagonist.
- Why it matters: The allegation has ignited a significant conversation about editorial practices, gender representation, and power dynamics within Japan's most prominent manga magazine. It raises questions about which series get greenlit and why.
- Key facts: Ogino's account was reported by AUTOMATON WEST on May 19, 2026. Lady Justice was previously cancelled from Weekly Shonen Jump.
Anime — New Announcements & Premieres
Skull Dragon's Precious Daughter (Hone Dragon no Manamusume) — TV Anime Announced
- Details: Kadokawa announced a television anime adaptation of Ichi Yukishiro's manga Skull Dragon's Precious Daughter (Hone Dragon no Manamusume). A teaser visual was revealed alongside the announcement. The anime will be produced at Dōga Kōbō, with Oshi no Ko episode director Kuniyasu Nishina helming the project.
- Source material: Manga by Ichi Yukishiro.
- Where to watch: No streaming platform confirmed yet.
Giant Killing Creators Launch New Manga July 15
- Details: Masaya Tsunamoto, artist on Giant Killing, and collaborator Demo are set to launch a new sci-fi mystery manga titled Shūgaku Ryokō ~Kyoto・Nara 4-paku 4-nichi on July 15, 2026. The series was announced on May 19, 2026.
- Source material: Original manga by Masaya Tsunamoto and Demo.
- Where to watch: Manga release; no anime adaptation announced.
Bocchi the Rock Manga Resumes Serialization - News - Anime News Network
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Shonen Jump Anime Arrives on Netflix with New Arc Launch
- Details: A Weekly Shonen Jump anime title has been added to Netflix's catalog coinciding with the start of a major new story arc, though the specific title was not named in the available report from May 18, 2026.
- Source material: Shonen Jump manga adaptation.
- Where to watch: Netflix.
Streaming & Licensing Updates
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The Cat Who Didn't Believe in "What-Ifs" — Seven Seas Entertainment announced the English license acquisition of the manga The Cat Who Didn't Believe in "What-Ifs" by Oki Eiko. No streaming component confirmed; print/digital release date pending. Announced May 15, 2026.
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Antengai: Twilight Metropolis — Abrams ComicArts' Kana imprint has licensed Tsubonari's manga Antengai: Twilight Metropolis for English release. The manga is scheduled to launch in English in spring 2027. Announced May 19, 2026.
Bocchi the Rock Manga Resumes Serialization - News - Anime News Network
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Manga — Chapter Highlights & Serialization News
Dragon Ball Super
- What's happening: V-Jump's July 2026 issue features a dominant Dragon Ball presence, strongly suggesting the manga is on the verge of returning with Chapter 105. The V-Jump cover and interior content have raised anticipation among the fanbase. Reported May 20, 2026.
- Publisher / magazine: Shueisha / V-Jump.
- Fan reaction: Excitement has been building steadily, with fans analyzing the July issue scans circulating online for clues about the arc's direction.
Takara Shimai
- What's happening: Haru Hisakawa's Takara Shimai manga has concluded. The final chapter was published in this year's 11th issue of Square Enix's Young Gangan magazine on May 16, 2026. In conjunction with the ending, Square Enix's Manga UP! platform is releasing the series in English.
- Publisher / magazine: Square Enix / Young Gangan.
- Fan reaction: The simultaneous ending-and-English-launch approach was noted by fans as an unusual but welcome move for international readers who missed the run.
Bocchi the Rock Manga Resumes Serialization - News - Anime News Network
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The Days of Diamond
- What's happening: Ōhashi Hirai's The Days of Diamond, which entered hiatus on January 22, 2026, is confirmed to return in June 2026. The announcement was made in Young Jump's 24th issue.
- Publisher / magazine: Shueisha / Young Jump.
- Fan reaction: Fans expressed relief after the extended hiatus, with the Young Jump announcement generating positive buzz.
Punk Gun — Ending This Month
- What's happening: One of Young Jump magazine's darker seinen series, Punk Gun, is set to conclude this month (May 2026). The series has been described as one of the magazine's most intense ongoing titles.
- Publisher / magazine: Shueisha / Young Jump.
- Fan reaction: Fans expressed that they didn't want the series to end, with the announcement drawing significant emotional reactions online.
Industry Moves
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Anime Central 2026 / MangaGamer Announcements: MangaGamer made multiple announcements at Anime Central 2026 (held the weekend of May 15, 2026), including 2 visual novel licenses for Western release in 2026 and the Nekopara 10th Anniversary -Sayori Art Works- art book. The panel drew strong fan turnout at the convention.
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Yen Press Mass Licensing Announcement: Yen Press announced the license acquisition of 11 manga series and 7 novel series in a single announcement, covering titles including He Was My Brother, egg: I'm Your Child, After-School Duty, and more. The breadth of the announcement signals continued aggressive expansion by the publisher.
Trends to Watch
- Manga health hiatuses are becoming a recurring headline: Within a single week, both Bocchi the Rock (resuming) and Kagurabachi (taking a health break) made news for creator health-related scheduling changes — pointing to an ongoing conversation about sustainable working conditions for manga artists, mirroring the anime labor crisis narrative.
- Licensing arms race continues: Seven Seas, Yen Press, and Abrams ComicArts' Kana all made English license announcements this week, reflecting intense competition among North American publishers to snap up titles with potential breakout appeal.
- Dragon Ball Super momentum building: The V-Jump July issue's heavy Dragon Ball coverage signals a high-profile manga return is imminent — one that will likely dominate anime news cycles when Chapter 105 officially drops.
What to Watch & Read Next
- Anime pick: Bocchi the Rock (anime adaptation, CloverWorks) — With the manga back in serialization, now is the perfect time to revisit or discover the critically adored anime adaptation; streaming on Crunchyroll.
- Manga pick: Dragon Ball Super — With Chapter 105 apparently on the horizon as signaled by V-Jump's July issue, catch up on the manga via Viz Media's Manga Plus ahead of what could be a landmark return chapter.
Quick Takes
- Another Shonen Jump Series Nearing Cancellation: A second WSJ series beyond Punk Gun has been flagged as readying for a 2026 cancellation, though the title was not confirmed in available reports.
- MangaGamer Anime Central Panel: MangaGamer's Anime Central 2026 booth and panel featured multiple surprise announcements; full details are posted on their official blog.
- Hunter x Hunter Release Schedule Updated: Popverse updated its Hunter x Hunter chapter release tracking page in May 2026, suggesting incremental movement on the long-hiatus title.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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