Analyzing the Downfall of Masashi Kishimoto's Samurai 8 Manga in Weekly Shonen Jump

Samurai 8 manga may not be as well-known among animanga fans. However, it was actually created by the popular manga artist Masashi Kishimoto and illustrated by Akira Okubo.

Despite having such a successful creator, the manga didn't do very well. In fact, it performed so poorly that some fans didn't even realize that Masashi Kishimoto had worked on another manga series.

Samurai 8 manga: Reasons for the series’ failure

This raises an intriguing and straightforward question - what caused the Samurai 8 manga to not succeed? To find out, we need to carefully examine the technical elements of the manga along with how it was executed to uncover the answer.

A panel from the Samurai 8 manga (Image via Shueisha/Masashi Kishimoto and Akira Okubo) - Samurai 8 manga: Reasons for the series’ failure

A panel from the Samurai 8 manga (Image via Shueisha/Masashi Kishimoto and Akira Okubo)

Before we dive into the topic, let's first highlight some of the positive aspects of the Samurai 8 manga. Many elements in the series were well-received by fans. The plot was solid, and fans were excited to see how it would develop over time. Additionally, fans appreciated certain aspects of the character design, even though there were some concerns about the overall art style.

Moving on to the challenges faced by the Samurai 8 manga, the main issue was with its execution. While the premise of the manga was promising, the way the story unfolded did not resonate well with fans. Another common criticism was directed towards Masashi Kishimoto's writing.

Reddit quote is loading

The post on Reddit

The Naruto series was definitely a fun one to watch. However, some fans felt that Masashi Kishimoto's masterpiece was only as good as it was thanks to the help of editors at Shueisha. This led to the belief that the writing may not have been top-notch, a view that has been around since Kishimoto's Naruto days. On another note, fans had varying opinions on the art style of the Samurai 8 manga.

Akira Okubo was the artist behind the manga's art. He was undeniably skilled, and the visuals were quite pleasing. However, for a shonen series like this, a slightly sharper art style is needed.

Reddit quote is loading

The post on Reddit

The exaggerated strokes and sharp lines in Samurai 8 create an atmosphere perfect for action sequences. However, the rounded lines and softer art style did not resonate with most members of the animanga community, contributing to the manga's lack of success.

Additionally, the high expectations from the fanbase may have also played a role in the series' failure. The manga author had gained fame for creating an iconic anime and manga series, setting the bar very high. Ultimately, the manga could not meet these lofty standards, leading to its inevitable downfall.

Stay tuned for more anime and manga news as 2024 progresses.

Related Links:

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a thorough analysis of the reasons behind the failure of the Samurai 8 manga despite its promising premise and involvement of renowned manga artist Masashi Kishimoto. The examination of the manga's technical elements and execution highlights the challenges faced, including issues with storytelling, writing style, and art direction. The article also acknowledges the high expectations from fans, which may have contributed to the manga's inability to meet their standards. Overall, the article offers a balanced and informative perspective on the factors that led to the manga's disappointing performance.

As a reader, I found the article thought-provoking and insightful. It raises important questions about the complexities of manga creation and the challenges that even experienced creators can face. The article also highlights the importance of balancing audience expectations with creative vision. Ultimately, the failure of Samurai 8 serves as a reminder that even with a talented team behind it, success in the competitive world of manga is not guaranteed.