Why Do So Many Shonen Manga Have Disappointing Final Arcs?

Highlights

Shonen final arcs often struggle to meet high fan expectations, leading to mixed reviews and underwhelming conclusions.
Constant escalation and tight publication schedules present challenges for manga artists in crafting satisfying endings.
Social media backlash and fan pressure can impact the evaluation of story arcs, affecting the creative process.

As a long-time manga enthusiast and someone who has followed numerous series over the years, I can’t help but empathize with the creators who find themselves in such challenging positions. Having witnessed the evolution of stories like Naruto, One Piece, Attack on Titan, and Jujutsu Kaisen, it’s clear that these artists have poured their hearts and souls into their work.

Over the last several decades, manga series focusing on action in boys’ magazines (often referred to as “battle shonen”) have significantly influenced the manga industry. These stories, from the early days of Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama, through the period known as Weekly Shonen Jump’s “Big Three,” and up to today’s generation, have not only sold in huge quantities but also been serialized in popular anthology magazines. Their impact has expanded globally, shaping the manga medium – for good or ill.

In discussing long-running manga series, it’s often noted that the shift from climax to conclusion can be problematic. Many shonen manga have struggled to meet expectations, falling short of the heights achieved by their narrative peaks before reaching the final chapter. Notable instances include Naruto, Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, Claymore, and Jujutsu Kaisen, among others. So, what causes this pattern to recur so frequently?

Expectations Versus Outcome

Expectations are always high when it comes to the decisive final act of a story that has been in motion for years on end, but there has regularly been a gulf between the standard of conclusion anticipated by a fan base, and the eventual end product. This is not to declare that all final arcs in shonen manga are underwhelming. In fact, series such as Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist or Yusei Matsui’s Assassination Classroom have been occasionally cited as examples of what a final arc in shonen manga should hope to achieve.

Despite the high expectations set by their initial success and acclaim, many iconic battle shonen manga series, including classics like Dragon Ball, Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho, Death Note, Bleach, My Hero Academia, Fairy Tail, and Jujutsu Kaisen, have experienced a noticeable decline in quality as their stories progressed. While the final arcs of these series were not bad per se, they failed to match the brilliance of earlier moments.

In general, the final storylines in shonen manga can be classified according to their underlying structure and theme. War arcs are a common type, with series like Naruto, Bleach, Attack on Titan, and My Hero Academia often featuring large-scale battles involving numerous characters engaged in epic clashes that determine the fate of their fictional universes. On the other hand, stories may also build towards a climactic showdown against a major villain or the completion of a specific goal, serving as a foundation to resolve all lingering plot points.

It can be challenging to balance expanding a war arc sufficiently for impact while also ensuring each main character receives appropriate development. Frequently, these sections of stories may stretch out excessively, resulting in overlooked side characters, or they might be compressed too tightly, leading to a sense of haste and artificial conflict.

Instead, it can be quite difficult to conclude a series by having the protagonist face off against a major adversary or achieve a long-held objective. This difficulty arises because the outcome – success or failure – depends heavily on how engaging the antagonist is, the significance of the final goal, and the emotional release experienced when the story reaches its conclusion and characters part ways.

Ultimately, the problems with this storyline can be traced back to a lack of consistency in plot development, excessive use of contrived plot twists, poorly fleshed-out lore, underdeveloped characters, multiple unresolved subplots, and an unsatisfying conclusion. There are numerous aspects that contribute to why a series might falter when it comes to any one of these issues, let alone several simultaneously, but it’s worth considering the influence of one shared factor: publishing deadlines.

The Challenges Of Constant Escalation

Why Do So Many Shonen Manga Have Disappointing Final Arcs?

It’s not too much to claim that regular publication cycles used in manga anthologies create an excellent setup to build anticipation and excitement. The weekly or monthly serialization has played a significant role in the rise and fall of numerous famous mangas, as they often conclude chapters with suspenseful cliffhangers. This format requires each new installment to be a standalone piece that contributes to a larger narrative.

As a seasoned manga artist with years of experience under my belt, I can attest to the challenging yet exhilarating nature of creating a captivating narrative. Balancing the intricacies within each chapter while simultaneously building a cohesive and engaging larger story is a delicate dance that requires both precision and foresight. However, this approach comes with its own set of challenges.

Underwhelming Final Arcs In Shonen Manga

In essence, the relentless demand for continuous growth and the exhausting workloads that many manga artists face to meet their deadlines often lead to a predicament where there’s simply too much work and not enough time. For example, the Fourth Shinobi World War Arc in Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto, received criticism for its extended length, numerous plot conveniences, and an underwhelming final villain, Kaguya Otsutsuki. Despite the series having many memorable moments spread across its 300 chapters, the climactic battle between longtime rivals, the conclusion, and the subsequent epilogue were all subject to critique.

Both the Dragon Ball series and Bleach experienced a dip in momentum during specific arcs, such as the Majin Buu Saga for Dragon Ball and the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc for Bleach. These segments were criticized for various reasons including character treatment, an overly prolonged middle section, a less engaging antagonist, and unresolved plot points in the case of Bleach. Despite these shortcomings, both series had numerous strengths that earned them their success initially. For instance, the Majin Buu Saga faced criticism for its handling of certain characters and pacing issues, but it still boasted captivating battles and emotional moments. Similarly, while the conclusion of the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc in Bleach felt somewhat abrupt, leaving many unanswered questions, it also offered intense action scenes and character development that resonated with fans.

The last two instances highlighted stories without a clear, predetermined end point, which made the concept of an ‘ending’ ambiguous and open to interpretation by the comic creators. Additionally, these stories had neatly resolved major plotlines from previous arcs before the climax, leaving new elements to be introduced to prolong the narrative. On the other hand, Naruto was a series that promised its main character, Naruto, would one day become the superior Hokage; however, the path to this goal became increasingly complex and labyrinthine until a series of swift resolutions resolved the final conflict.

Working on a single manga for more than a decade can present numerous challenges, such as strict deadlines, the constraints of the medium, creative exhaustion, expanding storylines, and the necessity to tie up every loose end – all of which can become particularly daunting when dealing with stories consisting of over 500 chapters. This is why it’s intriguing to ponder the potential obstacles that Eiichiro Oda may encounter as One Piece, currently past its 1100th chapter, continues to unfold. However, rest assured, as Oda’s knack for keeping readers captivated remains undiminished, it seems the challenges he faces are not likely to deter him from delivering a satisfying conclusion.

The Other Side Of The Problem

More recently, the conclusion of Hajime Isayama’s “Attack on Titan,” published in 2021, stirred controversy. The author subsequently revised certain aspects of the ending and apologized publicly for the final chapter’s reception. The ending sparked debate among readers due to contentious statements and a rushed feel, leaving many plot points unresolved. This situation underscores how strong reactions on social media can lead an artist to modify minor elements of their initial work.

Over the last few years, opinions expressed on social media have played a growing role in how fans judge different plotlines in a series, causing wild fluctuations between admiration and condemnation aimed at manga creators. Gege Akutami’s “Jujutsu Kaisen” experienced this rollercoaster ride – starting with high praise during the climactic battle at the start of the Shinjuku Showdown Arc, only to face fierce criticism later due to a recurring section in the subsequent storyline.

It’s common for people to disagree about opinions on any series, often with valid reasons. However, as more manga endings disappoint fans, it’s important to acknowledge the increasing use of online threats by passionate readers. With the intensity of online discussions about manga and the vast number of fans expressing their admiration or criticism, it’s crucial to consider how these reactions impact the artists who dedicated years to creating content that appeals to their supporters.

Is There Really An Answer Here?

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the intricacies of creating high-quality manga over extended periods are mind-boggling. The question of who bears the responsibility – publishers, fans, or creators themselves – is a complex one. Regardless, it’s undeniable that this arduous task wears down even the most resilient artists.

2024-08-01 01:35