Inspired by Episode 185 of the Anime Plus Podcast with Aray and Aunn
It’s always tough to see a promising manga get axed early, but it stings a little more when it’s tied to a creator with proven success. That’s exactly what happened with Astra Royal, the space-fantasy series from the creators of Tokyo Revengers. After just 52 chapters, the series has officially been canceled—cut short before it could truly find its stride.
On Episode 185 of the Anime Plus podcast, hosts Aray and Aunn shared the disappointing news and offered their reactions. While neither had fully jumped into the series, both were shocked that a manga with this kind of pedigree couldn’t stick the landing. “Usually I feel like authors on their second hit don’t get caught like that, right?” Aunn said, echoing the feelings of many fans who expected Astra Royal to soar based on the strength of its creators.
But as Aray pointed out, even legends can stumble. He reminded listeners that Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto faced a similar fate with his post-Naruto series, Samurai 8, which was also cut early despite a strong initial push.
Why Doesn’t Lightning Always Strike Twice?
Success in manga is a fickle beast. Even when creators bring name recognition and fan support, there’s no guarantee a new idea will connect. In the Weekly Shonen Jump ecosystem, sales and popularity polls are everything. If a series doesn’t quickly build momentum, editorial cuts can come swiftly—even if the concept has long-term potential.
Astra Royal had an intriguing sci-fi setup and carried the same edgy aesthetic that made Tokyo Revengers a breakout hit. But in a market already saturated with action-heavy battle manga and Isekai variants, Astra Royal may have struggled to find its unique voice fast enough. Sometimes, being “good” isn’t enough—you have to be an immediate standout.
A Recurring Trend
This isn’t the first time an acclaimed creator has faced the sophomore slump. Beyond Kishimoto’s Samurai 8, there’s Burn the Witch by Tite Kubo (Bleach), which struggled to stay in the conversation post-launch. Even Yūki Tabata (Black Clover) had a slow start before his series found its footing.
The lesson here? Even the most talented manga artists can be tripped up by timing, market fatigue, or simply audience disinterest. It’s a reminder that the manga industry isn’t just about artistry—it’s about capturing attention in a fiercely competitive space.
What’s Next for the Creators?
Despite the disappointment of Astra Royal‘s early cancellation, there’s still reason to be optimistic. The team behind Tokyo Revengers has a proven creative spark, and one misfire won’t erase their impact on the industry. It might take some time, but chances are, they’ll be back with another fresh idea—and hopefully, more room to explore it fully.
For now, Astra Royal joins the growing list of ambitious series that burned bright but fast. And as Aray and Aunn said in the episode, “Some stuff just hits, and some doesn’t.”
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