『アオのハコ』作者、ジャンプ売り切れ続出で心境 最終回を紙で読めない読者へ「申し訳ない気持ちでいっぱい」 – オリコンニュース

The author expressed regret that many fans were unable to read the series finale in print due to high demand and subsequent resale issues, according to reports from Oricon News and Yahoo! News.

The series concluded its five-year run in Weekly Shonen Jump, marking the end of one of the magazine’s prominent romantic comedy titles. The final issue saw a surge in demand that exceeded available stock at many retail locations, leading to a spike in third-party reselling of the magazine.

The author stated they felt full of apology toward those who could not secure a physical copy of the finale.

Beyond the logistics of the final issue, the author shared candid thoughts on the transition to life after the series. In a post reported by Sponichi Annex, the creator expressed a mix of anxiety and desperation regarding their future workload, stating please give me work... work... I'm scared of freedom.

Impact of Blue Box Finale on Shonen Jump Distribution

The sell-out of the final Blue Box chapter underscores the significant footprint the romantic comedy had within the Shonen Jump lineup. Oricon News noted that the conclusion of the series is part of a broader trend of rom-com manga ending their runs within the publication.

The scarcity of the physical magazine led to reports of “problem issues” where resellers capitalized on the shortage.

Shonen Jump Cover Selection Rules

The Blue Box finale also brings attention to the specific editorial rules Weekly Shonen Jump uses for its cover art. According to a report from dMenu News, the magazine does not always place the series featuring the final chapter on the front cover.

This selection rule was previously observed with other massive hits. Both Dragon Ball and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba saw their final chapters published in issues where the cover featured different series entirely.

Fan Response and Author Transition

Fans responded to the author’s fear of “freedom” with encouragement to take a break.

The series’ end marks a shift in the magazine’s current roster, as it moves away from several long-running romantic comedy titles that have defined its recent era.