Why the Manga Creator Who Defined the 2010s Is Officially Leaving Shonen Jump’s Exclusive Ranks

A New Career Chapter

Saeki announced that his long-standing exclusive contract with Shueisha has ended. He thanked the people who supported him and said he is open to new work, while putting long-term projects on hold for the time being.

His update does not mean he will never work with Weekly Shonen Jump, Shonen Jump+, Jump GIGA, or other magazines. It means he is no longer bound to work exclusively with Shueisha.

Food Wars’ Lasting Impact

Food Wars sold 20 million copies across 36 volumes during a run of nearly seven years. The series brought familiar battle shonen elements into the world of cooking, with exaggerated reactions that fans recognized as “foodgasms.” Saeki’s bold illustrations also appeared in projects including All-Ghouls Homeroom, Fukumen Tantei Mask de Holmes to Kiss Dorobou, the One Piece tribute Sokugeki no Sanji, and Tenmaku Cinema. His work drew on a visual style shaped in part by his background in adult manga.

Projects Beyond Shueisha

Saeki’s published work predates his time with Shueisha, with major projects appearing as early as 2008. His departure from exclusive work follows more than a decade of success under the publisher’s demanding schedule.

He remains open to formal inquiries about future projects, though he said personal-use art commissions may be difficult to accept at the moment. What he will pursue next is not yet clear.