Weekly Shōnen Sunday

Weekly Shōnen Sunday (週刊少年サンデー Shūkan Shōnen Sandē), first published on March 17, 1959, is a weekly shōnen manga magazine published in Japan by Shogakukan. Contrary to its title, Weekly Shōnen Sunday issues are released on Wednesdays.

History
See also List of series run in Weekly Shōnen Sunday

Shōnen Sunday was first published on Tuesday, March 17, 1959, the same day as its rival Weekly Shōnen Magazine. The debut issue featured Shigeo Nagashima, the star player of the Yomiuri Giants on the cover, and a congratulatory article by Isoko Hatano, a noted child psychologist.

Despite its name, Shōnen Sunday is published on Wednesdays of each week. The "Sunday" in the name was the creation of its first editor, Kiichi Toyoda, who wanted the title to be evocative of a relaxing weekend.

Shōnen Sundays distinctive "pointing finger" that appears in the lower corner of every page on the left side of the magazine made its subtle debut in the 4/5 issue from 1969. This understated feature, ever present but easily overlooked, was referenced as a plot element in 20th Century Boys. Sunday's more noticeable mascot, a helmeted fish debuted in the 1980s.

Prior to the 1990s and 2000s no serial in Shōnen Sunday had run over 40 volumes, but that began to change with series such as Meitantei Conan, Major, InuYasha, Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Kenichi and Karakuri Circus, which maintained a high level of popularity. Consequently, another change that has met with mixed feelings is the early discontinuation of series by non-veteran manga artist which has led to newer artists, Kōji Kumeta for example, leaving for other publishers' magazines.