Mar 18, 2009 13:13:00

Front Page: 50 covers representing 50 years of SHONEN SUNDAY

(This article was originally posted in Japanese at 21:39 Mar. 17, 2009)

As both Weekly Shonen Magazine and Shonen Sunday were first published on Tuesdy, March 17, 1959, they celebrated their 50th anniversary by a joint ceremony called "50th Anniversary Great Reunion - let our friendly competition last 100 years -" held on March 17, 2009 at Imperial Hotel, Tokyo.

Incidentaly, Shogakukan's Shonen Sunday was originally planned to launch on May 5 (national holiday Kodomo no Hi: Children's Day in Japan), but getting the whiff that their rival Kodansha's Shonen Magazine was due earlier than that, they moved forward the schedule. Then Kodansha also moved up their schedule, starting an accelerating race, and as of March 10, 1959, both magazines were officially announced to be published on March 20. But the fierce battle still went on till the last minute, ending up with both magazines coming out the same day, March 17.

So let's take a look at the 50 covers representing the 50 years of the magazines, exhibited at the anniversary event. This post will show you the covers of Shonen Sunday. No offence to Shonen Magazine, theirs will be following soon.

50 pics after the cut!