Great news for all of you Wal-Mart-shopping otaku: Wal-Mart will be replacing its Shonen Jump issues with Otaku USA starting July 31st. Shonen Jump ceased publication in March of 2012 after the launch of the digital platform Shonen Jump Alpha in January, leaving some to worry about the fate of any print-based ventures. As it was, there were only a handful of magazines that occupied the otaku sphere at any one point in time. With Viz shuttering Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat, that was practically the death-knell of otaku print magazines.

It’s a good thing Wal-Mart decided to continue to service the audience by picking up Otaku USA.

Otaku USA has always been a nice magazine written by some really cool people. It stands as one of the few -- if not the only -- remaining publications in the US dedicated primarily to anime and manga coverage.

Gaining shelf space in Wal-Mart does not guarantee that they will see their sales skyrocket, but it is a positive sign for them. Clearly, the retailer sees enough health in the magazine to make it worthwhile to carry.

Congrats, guys. As for all you Wal-Mart shoppers: pick up an issue in appreciation!