The Best Shonen Sequel Manga

Highlights

Sequels vary in quality but can surprise fans.
Handa-kun
and
Boruto
show the range in manga sequels.
Yashahime
and
New Prince of Tennis
keep audiences engaged, building on the success of their predecessors.
Dragon Ball Super
and
Ultimate Muscle
offer fresh takes on beloved stories, blending old and new elements effectively.

As a long-time enthusiast of manga and anime, I must say that these sequels have truly rekindled my childhood passion. The return of beloved series like “Zatch Bell” and “Baki Hanma” has been nothing short of thrilling.

Sequels in different media can offer varying results. For video games, they frequently build upon what was previously created. In movies, they often struggle to meet expectations unless they introduce something unique or extraordinary. When it comes to manga, the outcome can be unpredictable. For instance, “Handa-kun,” a prequel to the seinen calligraphy manga “Barakamon,” is generally well-received and popular. On the other hand, “Boruto,” the shōnen successor to “Naruto,” experienced a decline in popularity as its story progressed.

Similarly, just like ‘Burn the Witch’ didn’t spark global interest as much as ‘Harry Potter’s Hogwarts did in the world of ‘Bleach’s Soul Society, these sequel manga series have not always been instant hits. Whether they stick to familiar themes or offer a fresh direction, the success of a sequel is not automatic (although it might be financially). However, remarkably, these shonen sequel manga have kept their readers engaged, maintaining or even exceeding the appeal of their predecessors.

8 Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon

MyAnimeList Score: 7.29

Created by Takashi Shiina, based on Rumiko Takahashi’s InuYasha
7+ Volumes, 35+ Chapters
Available in English via Viz Media’s Shōnen Sunday imprint

Ranking by quality implies that the initial entries are under greater debate. For instance, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon holds a score of 7.86 on MyAnimeList (MAL), slightly lower than its predecessor, InuYasha’s 8.14 rating. Despite this, the manga version has garnered more positive reception compared to the anime adaptation. Nevertheless, it’s not quite a clear victory or a slam dunk, as some fans aren’t as enthused about the children of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru as they were their parents.

In my gaming world this time around, it’s me – Towa, Sesshomaru’s daughter – feeling trapped by my secret powers and lost in the mysteries of my past. Suddenly, a demon ambush hurls me back through time to feudal Japan. Here, I stumble upon my twin sister, Setsuma, whom I hadn’t seen since we were separated, and meet Moroha, Inuyasha’s daughter. To uncover the truth behind our separation, reclaim our forgotten memories, and find out what became of our parents, we embark on a quest to locate the Dream Butterfly.

7 New Prince Of Tennis

MyAnimeList Score: 7.37

Created by Takeshi Konomi
42+ Volumes, 421+ Chapters
Fan Translations only

In the initial “The Prince of Tennis,” character Ryoma Echizen aspires to break free from his father’s influence and establish himself as a tennis prodigy. He wins the admiration of his peers at Seishun Academy, despite his arrogant demeanor, due to his exceptional skills. However, his friends are no pushovers on the court; they deliver some jaw-dropping serves that would make any sports anime stand out. It’s typical for a shōnen manga to showcase elaborate techniques.

“The Next Chapter in The Prince of Tennis Series”

6 Dragon Ball Super

MyAnimeList Score: 7.33

Created by Akira Toriyama and Toyotaro
23+ Volumes, 103+ Chapters
Available in English via Viz Media’s Shōnen Jump imprint

In terms of anime sequels, Dragon Ball Z might claim the first place, but technically neither it nor GT qualifies as a sequel since they are part of the original Dragon Ball manga. They were later released as separate volumes titled Z and GT overseas, mainly because the series wasn’t available in the West until the Z era. However, decades later, Dragon Ball did receive a continuation in Dragon Ball Super, although it could be argued that it is more of an extension rather than a traditional sequel.

As a long-time Dragon Ball fan, I find myself deeply engrossed in the latest series, “Super,” which delves into events preceding “GT” and incorporates battles against Beerus, Zamasu, Jiren, and other intriguing characters. While it shares some similarities with “Z,” it also offers unique twists and variations, such as the absence of Kaioken in relation to the Super Saiyan God forms.

5 Ultimate Muscle

MyAnimeList Score: 7.44

Created by Yudetamago
29 Volumes, 300 Chapters
Available in English via Viz Media

The show “Ultimate Muscle” had fewer challenges in gaining popularity overseas since the original series “Kinnikuman” didn’t resonate much in the Western world. Many might recall the old action figures inspired by the program that were known as “MUSCLE toys”. It’s more likely, however, that they remember seeing “Ultimate Muscle” air alongside “Sonic X” and “Shaman King” on FoxBox. These shows bore a resemblance to “DBZ”, but with professional wrestling replacing energy beams as the main action. They also featured villains with quite unusual abilities.

In the anime titled “Kinnikuman”, our main character earns the right to rule Planet Kinniku and departs from Earth to do so (until “Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin”). The sequel, known as “Ultimate Muscle” or “Kinnikuman: 2nd Generations”, follows his son Kid Muscle who joins a new group of superhumans, the Chōjin. Initially hesitant, he learns to face increasingly powerful adversaries and grows stronger. However, there’s always a more formidable villain lurking in the shadows.

4 Angel Heart

MyAnimeList Score: 7.45

Created by Tsukasa Hojo
33 Volumes, 363 Chapters
13 Chapters were formerly available on Silent Manga Audition (the rest are fan translations only)

The movie “Angel Heart” isn’t a direct sequel to “City Hunter,” but rather an alternate storyline that branches off from it, similar to the different timelines in “The Legend of Zelda.” Although fans were initially displeased due to its ‘what if’ scenario, it could prove beneficial as the plot necessitated the death of a beloved character, Kaori. In this narrative, Kaori, Ryo Saeba’s partner from “City Hunter,” perishes in a traffic accident while saving a young girl. Her heart is retrieved by an enigmatic group known as the Organization.

In this reimagined version, they utilized Kaori’s heart to resurrect Glass Heart, a Taiwanese assassin tormented by guilt. During her coma following the transplant operation, she was haunted by recurring dreams featuring Kaori and Ryo. Upon regaining consciousness, she traced Ryo’s whereabouts to Shinjuku, uncovering the truth about her donor and learning about the Organization in the process. Ryo then legally adopted Glass Heart, but she chose to be known as Xiang Ying Li during the daytime and Angel Heart at night. With Ryo by her side, she embarks on a mission to discover the true identities of her previous employers.

3 Zatch Bell 2

MyAnimeList Score: 8.02

Created by Makoto Raiku
3+ Volumes, 21+ Chapters
Fan Translations only

Similar to the nostalgic hit “Ultimate Muscle,” “Zatch Bell” might bring back memories for some. The story revolves around Kiyo Takamine and his adventures with the titular Mamodo, an imp-like humanoid, in a bid to win the once-in-a-millennium tournament for the throne of the Mamodo Kingdom, which was a hit on Toonami. What made it unique was that Kiyo had to read passages from a magic book to unleash powers that Zatch could use against his opponents. In essence, imagine if “The Legend of Zelda” had its own spin-off series where the fairies functioned like Pokémon.

2007 saw a joyful conclusion for the series, but in 2022, Makoto Raiku resurrected it as “Zatch Bell 2“. However, peace within the Mamodo Kingdom didn’t last long, as entities from another realm started to breach their defenses. With their magic running low, the Mamodo Kingdom found themselves vulnerable. With no other choices available, three children flee into the human world in search of Takamine, hoping he can save the kingdom again. This sequel has been well-received critically, providing a dose of nostalgia for older fans while introducing fresh elements to the plot and characters.

2 Baki Hanma

MyAnimeList Score: 8.13

Created by Keisuke Itagaki
37 Volumes, 312 Chapters
Fan Translations only

The series “Grappler Baki,” which began in 1991, has a narrative structure that is different from “Dragon Ball.” While each installment of “Grappler Baki” serves as a standalone chapter, they all share a common theme. “Grappler Baki” gave rise to “Baki,” which was followed by “Baki Hanma,” “Baki-dō,” “Bakidō,” and “Baki Rahen.” These titles all revolve around the character Baki’s journey to surpass his incredibly powerful father, Yujiro, in order to exact revenge for his harsh childhood.

The standout section of his tale is the storyline featuring Baki Hanma. In this part, Baki has come close to matching his father’s abilities, but desires further challenges. This is where he pursues ‘Biscuit’ Olivia, a bounty hunter, by kidnapping President ‘George Bosch’. The ensuing events lead to a fight with a revived Mesozoic caveman named Pickle. Additionally, the climactic father-son battle left viewers of the ONA version equally puzzled about its resolution.

1 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond Is Unbreakable

MyAnimeList Score: 8.57

Created by Hirohiko Araki
18 Volumes, 174 Chapters
Available in English via Viz Media

It’s astonishing how some creators produce remarkable work seemingly effortlessly, but let me clarify that this remark doesn’t diminish the value of “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable.” Unlike other parts, it lacks a defined narrative arc. The main antagonist, Yoshikage Kira, was not initially conceived; instead, he emerged midway through the manga. Before his introduction, Josuke and his companions were on a quest for the Stand Arrow, encountering various Stand Users along the way. However, this lack of structured plot is part of its allure, as it provides each character with distinct activities.

Rather than limiting themselves to typical shonen fight scenes, the storyline expands to encompass family crises, encounters with con artists and stalkers, lottery aspirations, Italian cuisine indulgence, and a multitude of other diverse topics. Araki creatively provided these captivating subplots as he brainstormed for the next plot development. This part has since garnered the second highest acclaim on MyAnimeList (after Part 7: Steel Ball Run), and is also one of the most influential, spawning spin-offs from Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan to Crazy Diamond’s Demonic Heartbreak.

2024-08-06 06:34