Overview
Weekly Young Magazine hit newsstands on June 16, 1980, initially rolling out as a biweekly publication before shifting to a weekly schedule in 1989. This Tokyo-based periodical targets adult men and remains one of the most significant seinen manga anthologies in Japan. The magazine serves as the primary home for serialized stories that eventually appear in tankōbon volumes under the YoungKC imprint. Readers often flip through the first few pages to see color gravure photos featuring popular idols, a staple feature since its inception.
Its content spans action, adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, and ecchi, often focusing on mature themes and social commentary rather than just high-energy shonen fare. Notable series like Attack on Titan, Golden Kamuy, One Outs, and Kaiji found their start here. These works garnered critical acclaim and commercial success globally, proving the magazine's ability to incubate high-quality storytelling without relying on formulaic tropes.
In July 2025, Kodansha launched an English-language edition specifically for the American market. This special U.S. edition contained over 1,000 pages of new manga written by emerging and established artists, available for free to introduce Western audiences to fresh talent. A subsequent poll selected five winning titles for simultaneous English serialization, expanding the magazine's international footprint. As of August 2026, the U.S. edition continues to serialize new works like Kami Nishio's Still You, which began its run on August 24, 2026.
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Book Info
- Publisher
- Kodansha
- Published
- June 16, 1980
- Language
- Japanese
- Launch Date
- June 16, 1980
- Publication Frequency Change
- Biweekly to Weekly (1989)
- Primary Imprint
- YoungKC
- US Special Edition Release
- July 2025
- Recent US Serialization Start
- August 24, 2026 (Still You)
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