Shonen Jump has long been a battleground for up-and-coming manga series, where only the most successful stories manage to secure a long-term spot. Unfortunately, it looks like Astro Royale, one of the magazine’s most promising newer titles, is on the verge of cancelation. While there has not been an official announcement yet, recent publishing details strongly indicate that the series’ run is nearing its end.

The biggest clue comes from the confirmation that Astro Royale’s fifth volume will be significantly shorter than expected. Instead of the standard 192 pages, Volume 5 will only contain 168. This change strongly suggests that Shonen Jump is restructuring the volume releases to prolong the series’ presence in the magazine before it inevitably concludes. If the pattern holds, the series will likely end around issue 20 or 21, if not slightly later.

Volume 5’s Page Count Hints at an Early End

Astro Royale Might Be Ending Sooner Than Fans Thought

The decision to make Astro Royale's fifth volume shorter than usual is a red flag. In most cases, Shonen Jump maintains a consistent page count across volumes unless a series is nearing cancellation. The fact that Volume 5 has only 168 pages instead of 192 suggests that the editors are trying to spread out the remaining chapters. This move would prevent Volume 6 from being too short, which is common practice when a series is being prematurely wrapped up.

While some manga series get natural conclusions after a strong run, Astro Royale’s early exit is more likely a result of underwhelming popularity or sales. Shonen Jump is ruthless when it comes to axing under-performing series, as it constantly needs to make room for new titles. The magazine’s history is filled with short-lived manga that could not meet expectations, and unfortunately, Astro Royale seems to be the latest casualty.

The Timeline Suggests a Cancelation in the Near Future

It May Be Time to Say Goodbye to Astro Royale

While the initial speculation pointed to Astro Royale ending around issue 20 or 21, there is now some discussion that it might stretch to issue 24. If the editorial team decides to split up the final chapters strategically, the series could last a bit longer before officially concluding. This would not be unprecedented, as Shonen Jump sometimes extends a manga’s run slightly to align with a specific publishing window or give the creator time to craft a more satisfying conclusion.

Regardless of whether Astro Royale ends in issue 20, 21, or 24, the writing is on the wall. With the magazine’s one-shot project coming to an end and the double issues, it seems highly unlikely that the series will make it past the current batch of ongoing titles. The best hope for fans now is that the creator will get a chance to finish the story in a way that feels complete, rather than having to rush to an unsatisfying conclusion.

While Astro Royale may not have secured a long-term place in Shonen Jump, its fate serves as yet another reminder of the magazine’s cutthroat nature. Only the biggest hits survive, and unfortunately, even promising series can meet an untimely end if they fail to capture a strong enough audience.