
If you’re a fan of Japanese manga, you may be familiar with the comic magazine “Weekly Shonen Jump” (“Shukan Shonen Jump in Japanese”), one of the longest running and most widely read comic magazines in Japan. Well, you might be interested to know that a mystery countdown has been going on the magazine’s website, and until recently, the page showing the countdown contained just a short Japanese phrase (“最強、始動” which roughly translates to “The Truly Mighty are Getting Ready for Action” ) followed by the letter D covering the page.
We were all left wondering what this was about, but a slight change in the page was observed on July 10th, which may have given us a big hint. The page looks almost the same as before, but now, after the letter D covers the screen, a foggy white silhouette in the shape of a dragon appears – and the dragon looks suspiciously familiar. Yes, it definitely looks like Shenron, the dragon god from the hugely popular manga and anime, Dragon Ball.
So, does the “D” stand for Dragon Ball? And does this mean the legendary manga will be making a come back on Weekly Shonen Jump? If that really is the case, it would be big news for fans not only in Japan but around the world. In any case, according to the countdown site, details are to be revealed in the edition of Shonen Jump coming out on July 14th, so we’ll find out the truth soon enough.
Oh, and just another piece of information for Dragon Ball fans – there’s apparently a page within the Toei Animation website with the URL: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/movie/2013_dragonballz/. Although the page is currently blank, the URL suggests that they are planning to release a Dragon Ball anime movie in 2013. We’ll have to wait for news on that as well!
Source: Weekly Shonen Jump website via ITmedia

The countdown’s begun — something exciting is brewing for Naruto fans!
Honda Fit and Weekly Shonen Jump magazine create stunning Japanese itasha manga car【Pics】
Shonen Jump exhibition featuring classic ’90s manga and anime to open in Tokyo
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Poll asks adult manga fans to pick Weekly Shonen Jump’s greatest artist ever
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Japanese convenience store food gets turned into hyper-realistic stationery you can peel open
Kumamoto earthquake may have created Japan’s newest hot spring inside flooded restaurant [Video]
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
Are Japan’s room-temperature curry packets the boxed lunch heroes we’ve been looking for? [Taste test]
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Tokyo is getting a branch of famous Los Angeles hot dog chain Pink’s with Japan-exclusive items
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Luffy Vs Goku in 3D! New Shonen Jump Fighting Game to be Released in 2013
Fighting game Jump Force pits heroes from Shonen Jump in a crossover brawl of epic proportions
Weekly Shonen Jump teams up with Georgia to bring us limited-edition manga-printed coffee cans
The top 10 (plus one) Shonen Jump manga protagonists, as decided by Japanese netizens
Shonen Jump opens special bar for adults to raise a toast to their childhood action heroes
Top 10 ranking of Weekly Shonen Jump’s most beautiful male characters revealed
It’s official! Hunter x Hunter to resume serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump next month
Japanese anime fans weigh in on which Shonen Jump anime are the most entertaining
One Piece team shows us how a Weekly Shonen Jump cover is crafted【Video】
J-World Tokyo: One Piece, Naruto and Dragon Ball Attractions at Shonen Jump Manga Theme Park!
Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto is indeed working on his new story for Weekly Shonen Jump
Japan’s biggest manga magazine is raising its minimum payment rate for creators
Weekly Shonen Jump cancels manga after creator admits to schoolgirl groping
Jump magazine releases YouTube style app for manga, gives 100% ad revenue to content creators
Hundreds of Jump anime episodes now free to watch online in coronavirus countermeasure campaign