One of Shueisha's main competitors, Kodansha, has found a formula for success with such stories as Kid Detective Kinta Hajime and Shota the Sushi Master, each of which revolves around the exploits of a heroic main character. Both have been developed into animated TV shows that rival the popularity of Japan's "idol dramas."
集英社的對手講談社，則是主打英雄主角式的《少年偵探金田一》、《壽司師傅將太》等，並且改編成連續劇，與日本偶像劇的魅力合而為一。