Why Was Shijou Saikyou no Deshi Kenichi (Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple) Canceled? Full Explanation
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple was canceled and ended earlier than expected.
In this article, we explain why it ended so suddenly.
目次
Why Was Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple Canceled? Full Explanation
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple was likely canceled, as it ended in Weekly Shonen Sunday and was followed by the author's next series shortly afterward.
In fact, Shun Matsuenashi, the author of *Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple*, has spoken in an interview about how he was forced to bring the series to a premature conclusion.
──「ケンイチ」を終了させることについて、葛藤などはありませんでしたか。
「ケンイチ」は読み切りから月刊連載、そして週刊連載へと、10年以上描き続けた非常に思い入れの強い作品で、やっとクライマックスに持ち込めたところだったので……正直このまま楽しく描き続けたかったのが本音です。
引用：https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/tokiwakitareri
“Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple” was serialized in *Weekly Shonen Sunday* from Issue 20 of 2002 to Issue 42 of 2014.
The manga series consists of 61 volumes and is a popular title with cumulative sales of 12 million copies as of February 2012.
It was also adapted into a TV anime series, which aired from October 7, 2006, to September 29, 2007.
The cancellation was triggered by the editor-in-chief's proposal
It seems the reason “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple” was canceled was because the author started a new series at the editor-in-chief's request as part of the “55 New Series Project.”
史上最強の弟子ケンイチの打ち切りは
2014年3月からの『55本新連載プロジェクト』が原因で終了されており
市原編集長は2015年からなので
市原編集長のせいではないことは覚えておいてくださいと声を大にして言っておく pic.twitter.com/zEwA5ijnsF— 九兆 (@kyu_tyou99) March 31, 2023
──まずは約12年間の長期連載となった「史上最強の弟子 ケンイチ」を終わらせ、「トキワ来たれり!!」を立ち上げるに至った経緯から聞かせていただければと思うんですが。
最初に「とにかく、サンデーを盛り上げてほしい」と編集長からの依頼がありました。創刊55周年を記念して、1年間で55本の新連載を立ち上げるというプロジェクトの中で、「ケンイチ」を終わらせて、ぜひ新連載をやってくれないかと言われました。
引用：https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/tokiwakitareri
To celebrate its 55th anniversary, *Weekly Shonen Sunday* launched a project to launch 55 new serialized series over the course of a year, but this led to a series of cancellations of long-running series.
As part of this initiative, *Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple* also came to an end, and it seems many fans were surprised by the sudden conclusion.
Although “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple” was canceled as part of the “55 New Series Project” at the editor-in-chief's request, it seems that Shonen Sunday at the time made this agonizing decision without knowing what the future held a few years down the line.
ですがマンガのスパンから考えると、あそこからすべてを回収して終わらせるとなると、多分あと2年以上はどうしてもかかってしまう。じゃあ2年後にサンデーがどうなってるか……ということを考えて悩みぬいた結果、微力なれど私も新しいものを描こうと決断しました。
引用：https://natalie.mu/comic/pp/tokiwakitareri
In fact, during an interview, author Shun Matsuenna remarked, “I wonder what will become of Sunday in two years…,” which suggests that at the time, Sunday was facing an uncertain and difficult future.
During this period, Weekly Shonen Sunday was grappling with declining circulation and fierce competition from rival magazines, leading to the conclusion that continuing long-running series posed a risk.
Therefore, by hastily concluding the “Kenichi” story and embarking on a new challenge, the editorial department and the author likely sought to prepare for the uncertainties of the future.
Although author Shun Matsueno wanted to continue “Kenichi,” it seems this decision was made after considering the editorial department’s policy and the future of Sunday.
How far does the anime finale of *Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple* go? Where does the original manga pick up from there?
The anime adaptation of “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple” covers up to Volume 16.
Therefore, if you want to see the story that follows the anime, you can start with Volume 16.
⇒Watch the anime “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple” on Amazon Prime Video
Final Thoughts on Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple
In conclusion, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple was canceled and ended earlier than expected.
Overall, several factors discussed above likely influenced how Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple ended.
Although the situation began with a project led by the editor-in-chief, the author also appears to have made the difficult decision while considering the future of the magazine.
The early ending of Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple remains disappointing for many readers, and there is still hope that the story may one day continue in a reprint or revival edition.
It may still be worth checking out for yourself.
⇒Watch the anime “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple” on Amazon Prime Video
