Warning: Contains Spoilers for Drama Queen #1The flagship manga publisherShōnen Jump’s digital counterpart,Shōnen Jump+, is being called out for publishing content that, according to some readers, validates and spreads racist and xenophobic sentiments towards immigrants. The series depicts an Earth where apparently benevolent aliens have saved the planet from a meteorite, thus starting a “soft invasion” that left some humans bitter over the favorable treatment reserved for the alien “saviors”.
With the publication ofDrama Queenearlier this month a growing number of manga fans have expressed disbelief that such a story was approved for release. Given that immigration is a global “hot button” issue, many in the fandom are outraged that a company like Shueisha, whoseShōnen Jumpfamily of publications serves a diverse audience, could be so insensitive to some of its largest customer groups. Predictably, the backlash has sparked a counter-backlash, with supporters defending what they view asShōnen Jump+’s right to freedom of expression.
In Shōnen Jump+’s New Manga, Locals Are Being Encouraged To Eat Immigrants
The Shōnen Jump+ Manga’s Humor Did Not Go Down Well With Some Fans
The first issue of Kuraku Ichikawa’sDream Queendebuted on June 21, 2025, onShonen Jump+(available also onMANGA Plus), Shueisha’s digital-only manga platform. The story follows Nomamoto, a teenager who came of age after aliens saved Earth from a stellar catastrophe. In gratitude,humanity welcomed and encouraged these extraterrestrial helpers to immigrate. Millions have since made Earth their home, fully integrating into human society. Notably, a significant proportion of these aliens have chosen Japan as their new residence.
However, the aliens —particularly those living in Japan— have refused to honor the traditions of the locals. In fact, many exploit the beneficial laws designed to protect them,using these privileges to bully the local population. Enter Nomamoto, who works a menial underpaid job for a tyrannical alien boss, and questions if the story of the meteorite was actually true or just a ruse. She keeps her hateful thoughts to herself, knowing they could get her in trouble — until she meets Kitami, a coworker who shares her deep resentment toward the aliens.
Their shared hatred of the aliens quickly forges a strong friendship. After Kitami, in a fit of rage, kills an alien, he takes the body to the only safe place he can think of — Nomamoto’s apartment. While brainstorming ways to dispose of the corpse,Nomamoto suggests a shocking idea: eating it. To their surprise, Nomamoto finds the alien meat delicious. This unexpected discovery inspires Kitami and Nomamoto to see a new opportunity: they can take revenge on the aliens and dispose of the bodies without leaving any trace.
Fan’s Lambast Shonen Jump+ For Releasing Drama Queen
A Provocative Series That Was Bound to Stir Up Controversy
AlthoughShōnen Jump+is marketing the story as a “fresh feel-good comedy,“its dark undertones are hard to ignore— even if that’s not the author’s intention. Similarly, while Nomamoto and Kitami are initially portrayed as harmless misfits, no amount of humor can mask the darkness their characters take on by the end of the chapter. Disliking aliens is one thing, but suggesting genocide through culinary consumption takes their hatred to an entirely different level.
The backlashShōnen Jump+is facing from the fandom has two main aspects. First, there’s widespread disbelief that a mainstream manga powerhouse would associate itself with such a blatantly anti-immigrant work. Fans online are going as far as calling the manga “Nazi”. While controversial and unpopular topics are not uncommon in manga, many such works typically lack the backing of major publishers, likeShōnen Jump+—the publisher of wildly popular series such asJujutsu Kaisen,Chainsaw Man, andOne Punch Man.
Second, there’s widespread bewilderment over how theShonen Jump+editorial staff allowedDrama Queento pass a review without changes. This decision seems especially questionable givenShōnen Jump+’s diverse customer base, its stated goal of becoming a global hub for manga, and the historical lack of diversity in the characters featured in its titles. To many fans,Drama Queenfeels like a glaring misstep—one that doesn’t align with the publisher’s ambitions or values. Adding the manga to its regular lineup suggests, to some, that the editorial staff is either unable or unwilling to recognize how shockingly insensitive the content is to a significant portion of its most loyal fans.
As is often the case with the current state of social and political discourse, the critique ofDrama QueenandShonen Jump+quickly sparked its own backlash. Many fans argue that anyone “hurt” by the story or upset withShonen Jump+is taking it too seriously—after all, as they see it,Drama Queenis just a manga, not real life. Many fans are also praising the manga for its thought-provoking setting and brutal storytelling, drawing comparisons withChainsaw Man, as the protagonist also shares some similarities with Denji (they both have pointed teeth).
Also, there is always the option that the author’s intent is to satirize anti-immigrant movements and feelings, rather than exalt them. After all, only one chapter has been released, and every series wants to have as much shock value as possible in its debut. Nevertheless, the series continues to attract growing criticism. WhateverShonen Jump+envisioned when green-lightingDrama Queen’s debut, one thing is for sure: a lot of people are talking about it.
