In a recent interview, former Weekly Shonen Jump editor Kazuhiko Torishima unveiled a fascinating tidbit from the magazine’s history, shedding light on a pivotal moment involving two iconic manga series. According to Torishima, the uproarious comedy “Stop!! Hibari-kun!” by Hisashi Eguchi was so immensely popular that editorial contemplated allowing Akira Toriyama to conclude his acclaimed series “Dr. Slump” prematurely.
Torishima elaborated on the circumstances, citing the gradual decline in “Dr. Slump’s” popularity and Toriyama’s repeated requests to conclude the manga ahead of schedule. With “Stop!! Hibari-kun!” poised to dominate the magazine as the “overwhelming No. 1” series, editorial entertained the notion of bringing “Dr. Slump” to an early close.
However, despite the prospect of an early conclusion for “Dr. Slump,” Eguchi’s consistently delayed manuscript submissions prompted editorial to halt Toriyama from ending the series prematurely. This unexpected turn of events ultimately extended the lifespan of “Dr. Slump,” much to the delight of its dedicated fanbase.
In the same interview, Eguchi expressed tentative interest in embarking on a new manga venture. However, his stance remained noncommittal, leaving fans eagerly awaiting any potential developments in the future.
