Best New Series in Shonen Jump, Ranked

As a voracious reader and manga enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the works published in 2016 and 2017 have left quite an indelible impression on me. Among these gems, Ruri Dragon and Blue Box stand out as exceptional series that cater to different tastes yet share a common thread of emotional maturity and engaging narrative.

Shonen Jump frequently introduces fresh series in its weekly magazine. Many readers have encountered instances where a series they were following abruptly got canceled, often leaving the narrative’s ending feeling incomplete or disappointing.

Contrary to belief, not every new series published in Shonen Jump fails to impress. In fact, many current series are truly remarkable. Let’s delve into some outstanding examples of the most engaging new series in Shonen Jump and discuss why they are definitely worth your time.

7 Astro Royale

Written & Illustrated by Ken Wakui

Best New Series in Shonen Jump, Ranked

The initial series here is Astro Royale, which shares similarities with many others on this list in terms of its distinct storyline. Initially, it appeared as though Astro Royale was heading towards an early conclusion (often referred to as being “cancelled”). However, fortunately, this wasn’t the case and the series carried on following a battle that seemed like it would be the pinnacle of the narrative. Notably, Astro Royale is the creation of Ken Wakui, a well-regarded mangaka famous for his contributions to both writing and illustrating Tokyo Revengers.

And while Ken has made it very clear with Tokyo Revengers that he can both write and illustrate a compelling drama series, it’s very different when you start including magical abilities into the mix, which is exactly what Astro Royale does. However, with what’s come out of the series so far, Astro Royale is only becoming more and more of an enjoyable read as time goes on, so we absolutely think it deserves a spot on here.

6 Kagurabachi

Written & Illustrated by Takeru Hokazono

Despite being the target of many humorous online remarks and memes due to initial overhype surrounding Kagurabachi, this series proves to be remarkably impressive in its own right. Unlike typical Shonen protagonists who are distinguished by their kindness or ferocity, Chihiro stands out uniquely for his profound solemnity and serious demeanor.

In a refreshing twist for shonen protagonists, Chihiro seldom shows emotions, rarely gets surprised, and generally keeps things serious – unlike most who are overly emotional, absent-minded, and easily deceived. Moreover, the action sequences, visual compositions, and overall narrative style in Kagurabachi deserve recognition, even if its storyline doesn’t present anything particularly unique.

5 Ichi The Witch

Written by Osamu Nishi & Illustrated by Shiro Usazaki

It might be unjustified to feature “Ichi the Witch” on this list, given that it currently consists of only six chapters. However, considering its potential longevity and increasing popularity, we’re willing to take a chance with it. This manga is created by Osamu Nishi, renowned for his work in the successful series “Welcome to Demon School Iruma-kun,” and Shiro Usazaki, who is celebrated for her artistry in “Act-Age.

This unique series stands out not just for having a female author and artist, but also because the realm where the character Ichi resides is primarily populated by women, who are the only ones with magical abilities. However, due to a special circumstance stemming from his exceptional hunting skills, Ichi gains his own magic powers, making him the sole male witch in existence. Although we’re still at the beginning of this series, the worldbuilding, characters, artwork, and dialogue between characters are engaging enough for this shonen series to be included on our list early on.

4 Akane-banashi

Written by Yuuki Suenaga & Illustrated by Takamasa Moue

In simpler terms, “Akane-banashi” is an unexpected find for a casual reader of Shonen manga, as it deviates from the typical Shonen Jump stories about fantastical heroes. Instead, this series focuses on the real-world art of Rakugo (Japanese solo storytelling), similar to “Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu”.

In the story “Akane-banashi,” the main character Akane Osaki embarks on a challenging journey, delving deep into the art of Rakugo. Her goal is to captivate the individual who forced her father out of the Rakugo world and gain his recognition for her father’s skill in this art form. Essentially, this series explores the intricacies of storytelling, making it heavily dependent on the author’s creativity and writing skills, a talent that Yuki Suenaga (author) and Takamasa Moue (illustrator) clearly possess, as evidenced by its widespread popularity.

3 Ruri Dragon

Written & Illustrated by Masaoki Shindou

Let’s delve into the captivating world of “Ruri Dragon”, a delightful series penned by the budding yet exceptionally gifted mangaka, Masaoki Shindou. With just a handful of published works to his credit, mainly one-shots in 2016 and 2017, Shindou has demonstrated an uncanny ability to craft a captivating narrative. One could argue that “Ruri Dragon” is one of the most invigorating slice-of-life series we’ve encountered in recent memory. We believe this series warrants a place on our list for several reasons, but the primary reason (from our perspective) lies in its exceptional blend of fantasy and reality. In this tale, Ruri, who is the daughter of a dragon, discovers her draconic heritage when her unique abilities manifest inappropriately at her high school.

In essence, Shindou’s portrayal of this magical theme, the school’s response, Shindou’s mother’s discussions with Ruri, and how Ruri navigates her transforming physique are all remarkably mature and engaging to follow. To sum it up, Ruri Dragon is an excellent choice for readers who appreciate slice-of-life series with a dash of fantasy or for those who enjoy stories where characters resolve their problems through dialogue rather than resorting to physical fights immediately.

2 Blue Box

Written & Illustrated by Kouji Miura

In comparison to other genres such as action, mystery, thriller, or supernatural, romance series are less common in the publication Shonen Jump, though they do appear occasionally. When a romance series does emerge, it’s frequently characterized by familiar tropes, questionable character development, and sometimes unsatisfactory romantic arcs overall.

While it’s true that Blue Box does involve sports, it doesn’t fit the description because this series is charming through and through, and the way its slow-burning romance unfolds is masterfully done. In contrast, the relationships between characters are the heart of this story, taking center stage even though it’s only been published in Shonen Jump for a few years now. Notably, it has already secured an anime adaptation on Netflix’s main page.

1 Dandadan

Written & Illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu

For approximately 3 years, the manga “Dandadan” has been gracing our shelves. Compared to the typical lifespan of a Shonen series, this is still relatively short, as it currently consists of around 160 chapters. This doesn’t diminish its eligibility for inclusion on this list, though. In terms of recent releases, “Dandadan” certainly stands out as one of the finest, offering a unique twist on numerous story genres, all encapsulated within an action-packed and visually captivating narrative.

This series boasts stunning artwork, engaging romance, strong character development, thrilling action sequences, and hilariously exaggerated humor. It’s no wonder that “Dandadan” is highly anticipated in the current season, as it truly showcases Yukinobu Tatsu’s creative potential.

2024-10-16 05:04