Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha launches

2:30 PM on 01.31.2012   |   Bob Muir

Today's the day that Viz comes once step closer to killing off the print version of Shonen Jump in the US. Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha has launched its debut issue, featuring manga chapters only two weeks behind the Japanese chapters. The online magazine features the Holy Trinity of Shonen Manga: Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece. You can also check out the latest from Bakuman, Toriko, and Nura: Rise of the Demon Clan. It seems that Psyren and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX have been relegated to graphic novel format for the time being.

Readers can rent an issue for 99 cents, available to read for the next four weeks, or subscribe for 12 months for $25.99, with access to every issue for the length of the subscription. As an added incentive to subscribe, Viz has made a deal with Konami to send out promotional Yu-Gi-Oh! cards four times a year, something the print version does on a frequent basis. In addition, the first issue also features an interview with Naruto mangaka Masashi Kishimoto, who talks about his creative process.

I'm having trouble getting access with my still-active print subscription, so I can't give you my impressions right now, but has anyone signed up for a subscription yet? Is two weeks soon enough for your manga fix?

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