Shonen Jump is a weekly manga magazine you can read in print or through a digital subscription service
Shonen Jump is a Japanese manga magazine published by Shueisha that comes out every week. It features serialized manga stories aimed at teenage and young adult readers, including famous series like One Piece, My Hero Academia, and Jujutsu Kaisen. You can get it three ways: buy individual print issues at a newsstand or bookstore, subscribe to the print edition by mail, or subscribe to Shonen Jump+, the official digital platform.
The print magazine arrives in English translation in the United States through Viz Media, the licensed English publisher. A print subscription typically costs less per issue than buying single copies, though the total price varies depending on how many weeks you want to receive it. The digital subscription, Shonen Jump+, offers a different selection of manga and costs a flat monthly rate.
Your choice between print and digital depends on whether you prefer holding a physical magazine, how much you want to spend, and which manga series matter most to you — not all titles appear in both formats.
Key Takeaways
- Print Shonen Jump subscriptions in English are sold through Viz Media's website and other retailers, with prices that vary by subscription length.
- Shonen Jump+ is the official digital subscription service and includes a rotating catalog of manga, some of which do not appear in the English print magazine.
- Print issues arrive weekly by mail, while Shonen Jump+ updates on a set schedule that varies by series.
- A free trial or limited free access is sometimes offered for Shonen Jump+, so check the official site before paying for a full subscription.
Print Subscriptions Through Viz Media
Viz Media handles English-language print subscriptions in North America. You can subscribe through their website (viz.com) or through other retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or local comic shops. Subscription lengths typically range from 12 weeks to one year, and the price per issue drops the longer your commitment.
When you subscribe, you provide a mailing address where the magazine will arrive each week. Delivery usually takes one to two weeks after the issue is published in Japan, since the magazine must be translated and printed in English first. Your subscription will renew automatically unless you cancel it, so check the terms when you sign up to understand when and how to stop it.
Print subscriptions lock in a price for the duration of your subscription, which can save money if the cover price rises during your subscription period. However, you cannot pause a subscription — if you need to stop temporarily, you typically have to cancel and restart later at the current price.
Shonen Jump+ Digital Subscription
Shonen Jump+ is Shueisha's official digital platform and works on phones, tablets, and computers through a web browser. It costs a monthly subscription fee (the exact amount varies by region and changes occasionally, so check the official site for current pricing). The service includes a large catalog of manga, with new chapters added on a regular schedule.
The manga available on Shonen Jump+ is not identical to the English print magazine. Some series appear in both places, some only on Shonen Jump+, and some only in print. If you are following a specific series, check whether it is on Shonen Jump+ before subscribing. The platform also includes some manga that are not in Shonen Jump magazine at all.
Shonen Jump+ often offers a free trial period — usually seven days to one month — so you can explore the catalog before paying. After the trial ends, your subscription renews automatically each month unless you cancel it through your account settings.
What Comes in Each Print Issue
A single print issue of Shonen Jump in English is roughly 300 pages and includes 8 to 12 ongoing manga series, each with a new chapter. The magazine also contains color pages, character art, reader polls, and advertisements. The specific series change over time as manga end and new ones begin serialization.
The cover story — the manga featured on the front and back cover — rotates among the most popular series. Inside, chapters are arranged in a set order that rarely changes week to week. If you are following one specific series, you will find it in roughly the same place each week.
Print issues are dated one to two weeks ahead of their actual release date, which is standard for magazines. An issue dated January 15 might arrive in your mailbox in late January or early February, depending on your location and mail speed.
Comparing Print and Digital Costs
Print subscriptions cost less per issue than buying single copies, but the total monthly cost depends on subscription length. A 12-week subscription might cost around $25 to $35, while a full-year subscription might cost $80 to $120 — the longer the commitment, the lower the per-issue price. Prices vary by retailer and change periodically.
Shonen Jump+ costs a fixed monthly amount (check the official site for current pricing in your region). If you read the magazine weekly, the digital subscription often costs less than a print subscription, but you do not own the issues — your access ends if you cancel.
A single print issue at a newsstand or bookstore typically costs $5 to $6, so a subscription breaks even after four to six weeks of reading. If you read less frequently or only follow one or two series, buying individual issues might cost less than committing to a subscription.
How to Cancel or Pause Your Subscription
Print subscriptions cannot be paused, but you can cancel at any time. Contact Viz Media's customer service through their website or call their phone number (listed on your subscription confirmation) to cancel. You will receive the issues already in the mail pipeline, but no new issues will be sent after your cancellation takes effect.
Refunds for unused portions of a subscription vary by retailer and subscription terms. Some retailers offer prorated refunds, while others do not. Check your subscription agreement or contact customer service before canceling if a refund matters to you.
Shonen Jump+ subscriptions renew automatically each month and can be canceled through your account settings on the platform itself. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle, so you will retain access until then. You can resubscribe at any time.
Where to Buy or Subscribe
Print subscriptions are sold through Viz Media's official website (viz.com), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many local comic book shops. Prices and subscription options vary slightly by retailer, so compare before choosing. Some retailers offer faster shipping or bundle deals.
Shonen Jump+ is accessed only through the official Shonen Jump+ website or app — it is not sold through other retailers. read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or visit the website directly to subscribe.
Individual print issues are sold at most bookstores, comic shops, and some grocery stores and convenience stores. Availability varies by location, and popular issues sometimes sell out quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read Shonen Jump+ outside the United States?
Shonen Jump+ is available in multiple countries, but the catalog and pricing vary by region. Check the official Shonen Jump+ website for your country to see what is offered and the current price. Some regions have different digital platforms or restrictions on which manga are available.
Do I get the same manga in print and on Shonen Jump+?
No. The English print magazine and Shonen Jump+ have overlapping but different catalogs. Some series appear in both, some only in print, and some only on Shonen Jump+. If you are following a specific manga, check both platforms to see where it is published before subscribing.
What happens if I cancel my Shonen Jump+ subscription mid-month?
You keep access until the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel on the 10th of a month and your billing date is the 1st, you will have access through the end of that month. After that date, you lose access unless you resubscribe.
Can I gift a Shonen Jump subscription to someone?
Print subscriptions can sometimes be purchased as gifts through retailers like Amazon or Viz Media, though options vary. Shonen Jump+ does not currently offer gift subscriptions, but you could purchase a gift card if the platform offers one in your region — check the official site for details.
How long does it take to receive my first print issue after subscribing?
Processing usually takes one to two weeks, then delivery adds another one to two weeks depending on your location. Your first issue should arrive within three to four weeks of subscribing. Subsequent issues arrive weekly once delivery begins.