Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine has been the foundation for some of the most popular manga series of all time, with titles like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece, often considered the “Big Three”, originating from its pages. The so-called “next generation” hits such as Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia also stem from the same magazine. However, in recent years, even these newer titles have reached their conclusions, yet Shonen Jump continues to introduce fresh series to take their place.
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In the past year alone, a total of eight manga have debuted in the magazine, with more on the way. While some are still ongoing, the library continues to expand, with acclaimed talent bringing new stories as we speak. Among these debuts, several stand out, and three in particular seem to perfectly capture the new wave of stories and the direction in which the magazine is heading.
3) Ping-Pong Peril
Among the newly debuted manga under Shonen Jump, several sports titles have appeared as well. With Embers earlier this year, fans initially believed the series would become the next big sports manga, but it met an abrupt end. Therefore, the debut of Ping-Pong Peril in July seems to have carried the torch as the magazine’s next potential sports hit. The strength of Yoshiharu Kataoka’s manga doesn’t come from following the familiar archetypes of sports series we’ve seen before, but from the wild twist it introduces, over the top, yet engaging and undeniably unique.
The story follows Taira Mikado, a 16-year-old boy living with his twin sister, as he takes on the responsibility of managing the household. However, Taira is burdened with a 1 billion yen debt left behind by his father. He has no real skills except for playing ping-pong. Still, fortunately, an opportunity arises when he enters the underground world of ping-pong, where participants can win 1 million yen per match, but lose the same amount if defeated. The real twist lies in how these matches unfold, as they are far from typical games. The equipment and environments constantly change, ranging from shiny metal tables to pipelines inside a bathhouse. Determined to win, Taira uses his remarkable skills to survive, keeping fans hooked as each new setting makes the matches feel fresh while he fights to pay off his debts.
2) Shinobi Undercover
It is evident that there will never be another ninja manga like Naruto, and any new attempt to replicate it would likely fall flat. This is what makes Shinobi Undercover, written by Ippon Takegushi and illustrated by Santa Mitarashi, stand out by approaching the ninja theme with a unique twist. As the title suggests, the ninja are a secret force within the nation, operating in the shadows. However, the series adds further intrigue by placing the story in a high school setting, with a teenage protagonist who is already a full-fledged ninja possessing exceptional skills. His latest secret mission is to protect a fellow classmate, who happens to be a girl.
The amusing twist is that the main character, Yodaka, is so true to his secretive ninja nature that he suffers from social anxiety and can barely handle interacting with others. With this setup, the story unfolds as a modern ninja tale where his secret mission inevitably brings him closer to his classmate, who is clearly positioned to become his romantic interest. This series is ideal for fans craving a ninja story without supernatural elements, with battle styles portrayed more realistically and carrying a spirit similar to Sakamoto Days, making Shinobi Undercover something of its successor.
1) Ichi the Witch
With My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen coming to an end, there aren’t many titles believed capable of replacing the legacy they leave behind, especially in continuing One Piece’s long-running trend while delivering an equally compelling narrative to keep fans engaged. While Kagurabachi has already positioned itself as a potential successor alongside One Piece, Ichi the Witch has recently shown enough promise to also be considered part of the “next big three.” Osamu Nishi’s Ichi the Witch genuinely adheres to the core formula of a shonen manga, presenting a narrative that fans will naturally find compelling.
The story follows a protagonist whose sole goal is hunting wild animals, but the titular character lives in a world filled with magical monsters known as Majiks, where only females, for some reason, can wield magic. Ichi becomes an anomaly by beginning to acquire magic and control Majiks himself. Thus begins the revolutionary journey of a protagonist shaped by familiar shonen tropes such as training, forming friendships, and more, elements that naturally resonate with fans. With the potential to continue for the long run and stand alongside One Piece as the next big series, Ichi the Witch emerges as the strongest new title from the recent wave.
Which recent manga do you find the most compelling from the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine? Let us know in the comments.
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Image Courtesy of Ufotable
