Shueisha Apologizes After One Piece Card Scalping Crisis

Shueisha recently released an official apology following the chaotic launch of Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 33. The magazine sold out completely across Japan almost immediately, largely due to high demand for the included promotional One Piece card. Fans and collectors struggled to find copies as scalpers bought up the inventory to resell the cards at inflated prices.

Because of the extreme difficulty in purchasing the magazine, Shueisha has decided to suspend the inclusion of promotional cards in future physical issues of Weekly Shonen Jump. The publisher expressed regret for the frustration this caused regular readers who simply wanted to read the latest chapters of their favorite series.

This decision marks a major shift in how the publisher handles bonus items. Moving forward, they aim to focus on distribution methods that prioritize fans over those looking to profit from limited collectibles. We hope this change helps return the focus to the series themselves rather than the secondary market for physical goods.