Secret of Mana in Shonen Jump/V Jump
Secret of Mana in Shonen Jump/V Jump
May 1, 2021
Shonen Jump (full name: Weekly Shōnen Jump) is Japan’s best selling manga anthology, and also one of its oldest. Along with its spinoff V Jump, it has video game content as well.
February 21, 1993 (V Jump)
Translated by Yoshi Fukagawa
By using weapons during battles, their level will increase. There are only simple moves at the beginning, but as the level increases, you can fight with powerful and awesome special moves with the touch of a button! Sword Skill Level 1 [this is actually describing Level 2] 1)First, hold the sword. At Level 0, it's a simple sword swing. 2)However, [when it reaches] level 1, move forward, spin the sword and... 3)At last, swing the sword down at full force. Slash the enemy with a powerful strike! Axe Skill Level 2 1)At Level 2, you can use a combo move. First, attack once... 2)...then spin the axe in position to charge up the power for the next attack. At last... 3)...from bottom to top, a lethal upper swing to finish the enemy off.
Much conversation before the game was released involved the ring menu. The developers seemed to be equally excited and nervous about the novel interface. Five months before launch, V Jump gave a small tutorial with original art of Randi.
Translated by ManaRedux and Yoshi Fukagawa
Convenient And Fast Command System Purim says, "to make it easier for us to fight, give instructions quickly with easy-to-operate ring commands!" Using the ring command menu is very easy. Weapons and items are arranged in a ring around the character just by pressing X. After that, select the one you want to use with the arrow pad, and press the B button. Equipment Can you quickly equip the weapon of your choice and resume the battle fast [asked shyly]? [caption, under Randi] If you want to change your weapon, use the ring command to select the one you'd like. [caption, to Randi's right] Items/Settings You can change the operation of the ring to your liking at any time during the game! [You can do this] with a command. [caption, bottom left] When you want to use the items, you can freely choose them via ring commands. [caption, bottom right]
April 1993 (V Jump)
All translations by Sevon
Don't miss the next page!
What is true courage?
What does the English text on the title screen say!? JP version: In a calamity, people awaited for a brave with the sword. The sword revealed the power of its true nature to retrieve the peace. Excalibur, Kusanagi, and all the other swords talked in myth, legend, and saga… People named those swords in many ways. But… They all meant one thing. The one and only… The Sword of Mana. [US version for comparison: Darkness sweeps the troubled land, as Mana's power fades… People await a hero who will wield the sword… Excalibur, Herald, Gigas… The blade has had many names, for it has been celebrated in myths and legends throughout time. But all of these speak to just one weapon: The Sword of Mana.] What a difficult passage. In other words, whenever conflict happens, people wait for the appearance of the hero wielding the holy sword. The name of the sword might change, but they're all the Sword of Mana.
July 1993 (V Jump)
One of the most sought after collectibles for SoM fans is the appendix that was included in the July issue of V Jump. Rarely can you find the magazine and appendix together.
Translated by Yoshi Fukagawa
Randi can use three types of weapons! [the way this is worded, it sounds like he can only use these three] Javelin, Sword, and Axe
Defeat the enemy with super speed!! Spear, Glove
Detailed info. on the long range weapons!! Whip, Bow, Boomerang
Translated by Sevon
I need to follow the voice!!
Owwwww, that hurts... I keep falling...
July 1993 (V Jump)
All translations by Dr. Sheexy
"Hey, everyone listen! My friends and the monsters will get together and talk about something special! You reading V Jump, if you don't listen, you're definitely wasting your time!"
A worldwide chain [that makes a] transportation system! "Wherever you go, the cost of a cannon is only 50 Luc. It's absolutely essential [for your travels]!"
He's a monster with good intentions! "You won't find desert or snow here! I'm sure you'll find clues to the Mana Palace [that's] in the middle of nowhere!"
A mysterious swordsman watching over Randi! "Mana Seeds are needed to power up the Holy Sword. Mana Seeds are in the eight palaces of the world. Find the Palaces!
Grand priestess with knowledge of the secret of Mana! [Dr. Sheexy's note: this might be the only time that a "Secret of Mana" was mentioned in a Japanese article, without referring to the name of the American release] "Powerful boss monsters await you in the eight Palaces. If you can defeat the bosses, you can get the power of Mana."
Interesting and stubborn monsters! "In the new land you're heading to, these strong guys are waiting for you. Each one is skilled at using special attacks, so you can't easily defeat them!"
A general [store] merchant appearing in unexpected places! "I would like to recommend this product from the ones at my store. Meow! It's an MP-recovering Faerie Walnut. Besides that one, it's convenient to have the Cobra Bracelet that nullifies poison attacks. Meow!"
"If you play with three players, you can use two [magic spells] at the same time. You can attack and recover simultaneously, so it's very convenient for boss character battles."
Three players at the same time is enjoyable! "Seiken Densetsu 2 can also be played by three people. Who will attack and who will cast spells? If you decide on roles, it will make difficult fights easy!"
A lot of monsters that I can't compare! "In caves and Palaces, you have to first solve the puzzles to proceed. In addition, a very stroooong boss waits for you [at the end]."
"Surround the enemy with three players. [Try changing] weapons with your friends. Also, you can have just one of your friends fight; it's a three player game so you can play in various ways!"
There is success, and there is also failure! "The treasure chests we drop contain money and items. But sometimes, there are traps!"
I'm a Spirit who can freely manipulate lightning! "In my hometown, there's a place blessed with much nature. [This place is] Popoie's hometown, "Sprite Village." It's further back in the "Four Seasons Forest"!"
Aiming to be the best blacksmith in the world! "To temper a weapon, weapon power is necessary. Defeat a boss or get it from a treasure chest!!" [ManaRedux's note: The concept of orbs was not used in the Japanese version.]
Get loud and excited with friends!
Date Unknown
August 2, 1993 (Shonen Jump)
This issue had a promotional poster featuring some of the game’s monsters:
