Daichi Sorayomi, the creator of Keijo!!!!!!!! (Hip Whip Girl), posted a blog online in regards to the recent announcement that the manga will end next chapter. Despite rumours that the poor sales of the series’ TV anime adaptation were the cause, Sorayomi clarifies that the decision to end the manga was made before the anime even aired.
Sorayomi states that the decision to end the manga was made before it aired in October 2016. He was however, instructed to end the series once the anime finished its broadcast. He attributes the reason for the cancellation to various circumstances, such as his own lack of skill and issues he had with his publisher, Shogakukan. In regards to his issues with the publisher, he mentions that they did not provide adequate support, specifically when he requested for additional assistant to work on the series with Sorayomi. For over a year and a half Shogakukan was unable to find and provide him with an assistant. Sorayomi continued to work on the manga with his one assistant, doing so much work that he passed out for an hour.
He also mentions that the sale numbers for the anime’s first volume were incorrect and were in fact much higher than the reported 715 units sold. When he saw the figures, he contacted the anime’s staff who confirmed that the numbers were incorrect. The anime itself was lacking in sponsors, where having even one more sponsor could have the anime broadcast in another Japanese region, in this case Western Japan. He considers that publisher Shogakukan did not sponsor the anime, but could not confirm.
Even during the broadcast of the anime, the manga was struggling. The magazine that publishes the manga, Weekly Shonen Sunday, even had Keijo!!!!!!!! right at the end of their issues, where the least popular manga are generally seen. Sorayomi regrets that the magazine had to do so and that he was unable to portray the full story had had planned and had to rush the ending of the manga. He states that half a year was not enough.
The manga will end after a total of 18 volumes (vol 18 will release in July) and over 175 chapters.
The Keijo!!!!!!!! anime aired during the Fall/Autumn 2016 anime season in October 2016 for a total of 12 episodes. A total of 6 OVAs were also produced and bundled with the Blu-ray volumes.
The main cast of the TV anime includes:
- Lynn (Maya Kyoudou from Sabagebu!) voicing as Nozomi Kaminashi
- Mao Ichimichi (Kazumi Schlierenzauer from Gokukoku no Brynhildr) as Sayaka Miyata
- Kaede Hondo (Kukuru Nonomoto in Fushigi na Somera-chan) will voice Kazane Aoba
- Saori Oonishi (La Folia Rihavein in Strike the Blood) voicing the role of Non Toyoguchi
The production staff includes:
- Director: Hideya Takahashi (Fantasista Stella, Pokémon: The Origin)
- Series Composer: Takao Kato (Pandora Hearts and To Love-Ru Director)
- Anime Character Designer: Keiya Nakano (Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm, Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky)
- Animation Studio: Xebec (To LOVE-Ru, Soukyuu no Fafner)
Keijo!!!!!!!! (Hip Whip Girl) is a ecchi sports manga written and illustrated by Daichi Sorayomi. The series began publication in Shogakukan’s Weekly Shonen Sunday in 2013 and has a total of 15 published volumes to date. Volume 16 will release in Japan in May, Volume 17 in June and Volume 18 this July.
Here is the series synopsis from MAL:
Kaminashi Nozomi (17) is an exceptional gymnast. So much so that colleges with some of the best gymnastic programs are trying to recruit her. Unfortunately for them, she has other plans. Due to her family being extremely poor, money is everything to her. That’s why she wants to step into the world of “Keijo.” “Keijo” is a type of gambling sport where girls stand on a small floating platform and compete against one another. The aim is to push the other contestant off of the platform into the water, but they are only allowed to use their butt or breasts to push the others off. Will Nozomi be able to compete in the intense world of “Keijo” and bring wealth and fortune for her family?
The Keijo!!!!!!!! manga will have its final chapter in the next issue of Shonen Sunday magazine. The manga will end after a total of 18 volumes and 175+ chapters.
You can visit the anime’s website here: http://keijollllllll.com/
And follow their Twitter: @keijo_anime
Source Article - Anime News Network
“Keijo!!!!!!!!”, “Hip Whip Girl”, images and all associated brands and titles © 2017 Daichi Sorayomi, Shogakukan, Xebec and the Japan Keijo Promotion Committee