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Summary
For readers ofShonen Jumpmanga, there’s seemingly always an active pipeline sending waves of the latest hot series to follow. However, in 2024, the biggest hit series such asJujutsu KaisenandMy Hero Academiawill reach their inevitable conclusion, which isa signal that readers should consider what younger series to follow next.
Since fans have latched onto numerous genre-defining hits throughout the decades withShonen Jumpseries likeDragon Ball, Naruto,andJujutsu Kaisen, unsurprisingly, more series continue to amass popularity. What’s extremely exciting about these series is their breadth of genres, from romance to action, comedy, slice-of-life, and horror.
This showcases that the popular magazine has expanded the genres of the manga it publishes on its pages. While many massiveShonen Jumpseries are ending,it seems just as many or more demand the readers' attention.
Shonen Jump Has Multiple Long-Running Megahits
When One Hit Fades, Another Emerges
In the world of manga, where underperforming series are frequently canceled, anything approximately 140 chapters or longer is usually considered a long run and reasonably successful. So naturally, having crossed the quadruple-digit mark in its anime and manga,One Pieceis hard to match. The same can be said forMy Hero AcademiaandJujutsu Kaisen. But with the latter two about to end, andOne Piece’seventual conclusionnot too far ahead, fans need to think about new options.
Numerous long-running series fit this bill and would appease fans craving different aspects of these massiveShonen Jumpmanga hits. People craving action fromJujutsu Kaisenand comedy fromOne Piecewill enjoy the thrills ofSakamoto Days’retired hitman escapades, with the series currently vying for the top Shonen Jump position, according toJajanken. But fans also don’t have to settle just for action.
Coming-of-Age and Slice-of-Life Are Big Hits for Weekly Shonen Jump
Action Isn’t the Sole Selling Point of Shueisha’s Iconic Manga Anthology
Unsurprisingly,coming-of-age stories are a significant draw forShonen Jump, given that it’s primarily intended for younger readers to grow up alongside their fictional counterparts. This was the case forHikaru no Goand continues in contemporary instances, likeAkane-banashiandBlue Box. Each is a fabulous recommendation in the Shonen Jump catalog:Blue Boxhas compelling high school romance and sports drama.Akane-banashiis a masterclass in storytelling, being about a young professional storyteller in the art of rakugo.
But slice-of-life is always an enticing subgenre inShonen Jump, with recent offerings likePsych House’swild take onX-MenandRuriDragon’sdelightful return.These present a soothing, reliable source of entertainment minus the hype and overarching lore of other manga.However, the hype is a powerful force in Shonen Jump, creating new megahits that don’t need to get close to the triple-digit mark for fans to see their run as a massive hit manga.
Kagurabachi Has a Deathgrip on Manga Reader Hype
Propelled by Memes, yet Afloat Thanks to Strong Quality
WhileKagurabachi’swild, viral, overnight success in its first chapter was initially targeted as a source of memes for its overly edgy presentation, it’s undeniably the latest new smash hit for Shonen Jump. Manga likeKagurabachiare difficult to produce and plan as a hit with the readers. Still, it quickly captivated the readers, with plenty of desire to receive an anime adaptation.
ButKagurabachi’spresence poses a new question: will there be another two manga alongside it to be declaredthe latest Big Three? As genres outside ofKagurabachi’saction are increasingly embraced,it might be unreasonable to expect such an increasingly dated term to be used.With the others above still prominent in the publication,Kagurabachiis a supplement but not a complete substitute for other mangaShonen Jumpoffers.
Other Shueisha Manga Are Going Strong
Familiar Spin-Offs and Bold New Directions Get Strong Exposure Through Shueisha
It should be remembered that, whileShonen Jumpis perhaps Shueisha’s most famous manga anthology, it’s not the only one.Naruto’slatest sequel,Boruto: Two Blue Vortex,has more effectively captivated audiences as the series runs monthly onV Jump. What’s equally impressive about the Shueisha umbrella is the robustShonen Jump+digital offerings, which includethe always-controversialChainsaw Manand new hits such asKaiju No 8.
Spy x Familyoffers a picture-perfect blend of espionage, action, and comedy. At the same time,Kaiju No. 8is a fierce action-comedy in its own right, and both have hit anime adaptations. They’re both essential reading experiences for even newcomers to the medium.The Elusive Samuraiis about to get an impressive anime adaptation to complement its stellar manga run, while newcomers toShonen JumplikeDear AnemoneandCenturiascratch the horror itch.There’s truly something for every shonen manga fan.
Excellent Ongoing Manga Exist Outside the Shueisha Umbrella
Critical and Bestselling Smash Hits Exist Outside of Weekly Shonen Jump
Readers shouldn’t limit themselves to theShonen Jumpofferings, even if they’re as excellent and diverse as ever.Kodansha continues to offer superb shonen serieslikeGo! Go! Loser Ranger!,and Shogakukan produces global hits likeFrierenbefore entering the demographics outside shonen.For readers seeking drama, romance, or action,these can all be found in the shojo and josei umbrella. There’s also always seinen for those craving philosophy, intense violence, and glorious character arcs.
Shojo— Traditionally marketed to teenage girls.
Josei— Traditionally marketed to adult women.
Remember, the lines are blurred for each demographic, and plenty of readers outside the intended audience can enjoy any offerings across these demographics.
The Seinen Big Three series are always fair bets,with Kodansha’sVagabondandVinland Sagabeing sure bets alongsideBerserkfor immense cerebral enjoyment.Yet, there are numerous massive hits in the seinen world outside this umbrella, such asKingdom,The Apothecary Diaries, andZom 100. The point is that there is a whole world of beloved manga outside the Shonen Jump or even Shueisha umbrella, which will be available long after current hits complete their runs.
Always Consider Branching Into Other Genres
Readers who only follow specific genres will put themselves into a box, unwilling to try new series outside their comfort zones once their preferred Shonen Jump manga is over.With isekai on the riseand persistent demand for slice-of-life and even athletic series having a thriving niche, people might discover manga they previously overlooked. There’s nothing wrong with exploring the manga medium once a hit Shonen Jump adaptation, many people’s gateway into the fandom, ends.
Such a compromise is always a worthwhile option once the hype dies down for the current hot-ticket series, and it’s vital to remember this hype cycle can always renew for something else in its place.There will always be a Big Three as a beacon for new readerswondering what to check out and critical darlings that go criminally underappreciated, so it’s wise to branch out. Variety is the spice of life, and manga caters to all sorts of flavors in its multibillion-dollar market well beyond the end of the latest hotShonen Jumpseries.
