Jujutsu Kaisen And MHA Are Over, But These Next Gen Series Are Just As Good

Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia were considered the flagship titles of Shonen Jump and also some of the best shonen manga in recent years. After they both concluded last year, Shonen Jump sales have apparently dropped, proving how important these two series were for the magazine.

However, there are many great shonen out there, and some of them aren’t even in Shonen Jump. Let’s dive into a few series that started only a few years ago and are gaining a lot of attention. Of course, before anyone asks any questions, we will not be considering Solo Leveling as a “next gen” series, since both the original novel and the manhwa adaptation have already concluded.

Kagurabachi Is A Promising Hit

Shonen Jump’s Darkest Manga

Kagurabachi hasn’t been running for over 2 years yet, but it has already amassed an impressive readership in Shonen Jump. The series is expected to become a massive hit after the anime adaptation premieres. While the anime hasn’t been announced by Shueisha or any production company, Toyo Keizai, a renowned business magazine in Japan, has reported that it is in production, and Cygames Pictures will handle the animation, according to them.

The series is sometimes dubbed “the next Jujutsu Kaisen” due to its darker tone when compared to other hits. Instead of a gleeful protagonist who aims to become the best in something, Kagurabachi brings a bitter main character looking for revenge. Chihiro Rokuhira is the son of a prominent blacksmith who forged six Enchanted Blades, which were key during a war. However, after a group of criminals murdered his father to steal the blades, Chihiro sheathes a seventh, unknown blade and embarks on a journey targeting the murderers.

With 8 volumes released so far, the series already has over 2 million copies circulating as of May 2025. Therefore, unless the anime production becomes a mess, it is likely to explode in popularity.

Ichi the Witch Is Already Peaking

A Great Surprise for Jump Fans

Ichi the Witch is one of Shonen Jump‘s greatest recent surprises. Written by Iruma-kun creator Osamu Nishi and illustrated by Act-Age illustrator Shiro Usazaki, the manga is already a hit in less than one year after its debut in Shonen Jump. Many already consider it one of the magazine’s flagship titles due to its great sales in the first volumes.

The manga is set in an alternate universe where female hunters called Witches hunt and obtain magic from monsters. However, after a boy named Ichi defeats one of these monsters, he becomes the first male Witch.

Gachiakuta Has A Great Anime

It Might Become a Solid Shonen Hit

Gachiakuta is not serialized in Shonen Jump, but it has become one of the most popular shonen manga in recent years. Just like Kagurabachi, it is constantly compared to Jujutsu Kaisen because of its darker tone, and many consider that characters have more depth in the story when compared to Kagurabachi.

Since the anime premiered a few weeks ago, the series has gained more popularity, but the manga has been running since 2022. It’s written by Kei Urana, who used to work as an assistant to Atsushi Ohkubo, the creator of Fire Force and Soul Eater. Ohkubo has even endorsed Urana as the successor to his legacy. Gachiakuta follows Rudo, a boy who lives in the slums in a society strongly divided between the rich and the poor. Rudo is one day wrongfully charged with the murder of his foster father, and he swears to someday get his revenge.

Frieren Is Different, And Refreshing

One of the Best Fantasy Anime in the Past Few Years

Frieren was not a hit some people saw coming. Instead of focusing on action and battle, the series has a more introspective approach, talking about the passing of time, loss, and death. Despite being different from the typical shonen story, Frieren found its own voice and carved its own path to success. Just like Gachiakuta, it is serialized in Shonen Jump, which might be a sign that the magazine doesn’t monopolize international shonen audiences as it used to.

As an elf, Frieren experiences time differently from her former party members. They once defeated the Demon King, but 50 years later, she came to realize how much things have changed over time. She ends up embarking on a new journey and revisits her feelings for her former peers, especially Himmel, who has already died. Frieren has been in serialization since 2020, and it will likely continue for some years.

Akanebanashi Will Break Records

Traditional Japanese Culture Can Also Be Popular

Akanebanashi is a Shonen Jump title, but a few years ago, no one would believe that a title like this would ever be serialized in the magazine. Shonen Jump is mostly known for action-packed series, and a story focused on rakugo, a traditional form of Japanese theater, is something few would ever believe would be approved by Jump.

Serialized since 2022, Akanebanashi proves that traditional culture can make up an exciting setting for many readers, and it has even amassed a fair readership internationally. Well, it is deserved, because it is a great series. The story follows Akane, the daughter of a rakugo performer. However, her father was expelled from the Arakawa School when trying to obtain the highest rank in rakugo performance. Six years later, she is quietly trying to become a shin’uchi at the same school to avenge her father.