2024 marks an enormous turning level for Shonen manga and anime. Main sequence have ended with others primed to wrap up quickly, which leaves an enormous vacuum simply ready to be stuffed by the subsequent mega hit. However with so many various works on the market proper now, how will you slender down what could be the subsequent large factor?
We had that very thought, and after doing a little digging, we discovered eight Shonen anime and manga that may very well be the subsequent large factor. Please keep in mind that whereas these sequence may need already been round for some time—and have already loved a good quantity of success—we’ve included them right here as a result of their potential to explode among the many fandom within the close to future.
Dandadan
Dandadan won’t be the subsequent Chainsaw Man, however it’s nonetheless primed to be one of many greatest sequence to hit the style this decade.
Set in a world that bleeds creativity, emotion, and madness in equal measure, the sequence boasts a way of creativeness few different works may hope to have. One second, the principle forged is up in opposition to a large ghostly crab that needs to curse them for all eternity; the subsequent, they’re in a tense recreation of disguise and search with a laser-blasting Loch Ness monster swimming round their faculty.
What’s extra, its artwork model is one which feels distinct and full of life. Every panel of the manga strikes and flows with a way of motion and vitality that different sequence by no means obtain. The anime seems to have captured this energy as nicely, thanks in no small half to the truth that Science Saru is on the helm of the primary season.
I may go on, however the reality stays: There’s nothing like Dandadan on the market proper now, and it’s onerous to not see it turning into one of many heaviest hitters in Shonen anime and manga.
Darkish Gathering
Darkish Gathering is an odd beast among the many present Shonen choices on the market.
It’s one of many extra well-established sequence round proper now with each a 25-episode anime on HiDive and over a dozen volumes of chapters at present being translated by Viz Media. There’s likewise a case to be made for it being on the very cusp of the style, as its horror parts are graphic sufficient that it may very nicely be mistaken for a Seinen sequence.
And but, whenever you have a look at franchises that may very well be a great stand-in for Jujutsu Kaisen, it’s a transparent frontrunner. The ghost designs are amongst among the most detailed and disturbing round, and the lore it attracts off of for coping with them is impressively well-detailed.
Likewise, the methods it pits completely different ghosts in opposition to one another turns what could be straight horror into an enthralling Shonen battle system. Stated system is full with Strengths and weaknesses the protagonists have to account for, and which followers can simply get caught up in due to its misleading depth.
High all of this off with the truth that its second season is being made as we converse, and there’s little doubt this sequence may go on to terrify the broader anime group as a heavy hitter.
Elusive Samurai
It’s little surprise the writer of Assassination Classroom could be answerable for considered one of Shonen Bounce’s extra constant Shonen sequence in the mean time, however most won’t notice how novel the sequence is.
Set in opposition to the backdrop of Feudal Japan, the sequence follows the younger lord Tokiyuki. On the run after his clan was slaughtered in an influence seize, he wants to collect allies and attain his full potential so as to regain his birthright and save his folks.
However there’s a catch: Tokiyuki doesn’t have a violent bone in his physique. As an alternative, he has a heightened survival intuition and is extremely gifted at avoiding hazard. Because of this, the sequence is much less a sequence of simple battles and extra so one the place the protagonist should outwit and outmaneuver his a lot stronger opponents.
It’s a welcome change from the standard Shonen components and is probably going a giant issue as to why the sequence has been going for over three years now. We’d put good cash on its reputation capturing into the stratosphere now that its anime adaptation has kicked off on Crunchyroll.
Sakamoto Days
Sakamoto Days has the potential to fill a really particular area of interest inside the bigger Shonen manga and anime sphere; that being the spoof-y tackle quite a lot of Shonen traits.
Whereas different sequence search to spout platitudes concerning the energy of friendship and onerous work paying off, this sequence as an alternative simply type of “is”. The titular protagonist Sakamoto merely needs to take pleasure in his retirement from being an murderer and run his household’s comfort retailer, and anybody or something that will get in the best way of that’s liable to be dispatched inside an instantaneous through his otherworldly energy and expertise.
It’s One Punch Man by means of Assassins as an alternative of heroes, and its underlying irreverence for among the extra hallowed Shonen parts provides it an plain attraction on par with Gintama. It’s additionally obtained a large quantity of chapters that its upcoming anime can draw from too, so it’s well-positioned to be one of many higher animated reveals round.
Kagurabachi
The truth that Kagurabachi is being really helpful by the likes of Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto, My Hero Academia creator Kohei Horikoshi, and so many others ought to let you know every part that you must know concerning the sequence’ potential.
Set in opposition to the backdrop of a world irreparably modified by the creation of insanely highly effective blades, it follows the exploits of Chihiro. The son of the blades’ creator, he’s intent on monitoring down each blade and holding them out of the arms of those that would use them for evil.
Although this could be a fairly generic premise, the sequence’ execution is top-notch. When the story isn’t nailing some emotional excessive factors, the artwork and motion elevate the entire bundle to distinctive heights and provides one the impression that it may very well be the subsequent Demon Slayer or Bleach.
Its solely fault is that it’s nonetheless too early in its run for it to have an anime adaptation. However given its rising reputation inside the wider Shonen fandom, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than that’s rectified.
Blade of the Moon Princess
Blade of the Moon Princess is pure, refined Shonen goodness by means of the style’s more moderen hits.
Whereas its premise and setup are your normal “royalty pressured to collect allies to regain their throne,” the artwork and motion design are extremely harking back to large names like Naruto or One Piece. Its panels and pages stream with a type of grace that retains you studying on and on till you’ve torn by all of the accessible chapters, and then you definately begin over once more as a result of it’s all simply so pleasant.
That is made all of the extra spectacular when you think about that there are solely 16 chapters accessible by Viz Media. Even when it’s a month-to-month launched sequence, that’s a great signal that this sequence has some main warmth that may very well be correctly tapped into as soon as it has sufficient materials for an anime adaptation.
Choujin X
Choujin X is, undoubtedly, one of many weirdest manga on the market in the mean time.
To make sure, the sequence has its deserves. Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida injects the identical madness into this sequence as he did into his breakout work, full with world-building, character dynamics, and thoroughly paced plot factors that every one paint an image of a world irreparably modified by the introduction of supernaturally highly effective beings.
And but, whenever you learn Choujin X, it’s onerous to consider something you’ll be able to examine it to. The manga is solely its personal factor. It doesn’t care about measuring as much as different works, and as an alternative solely needs to inform its personal story for so long as you’ll stick round.
It needs to be seen to be believed, and we firmly consider that nearly anybody keen to offer it a glance will find yourself completely hooked.
Present-ha Shoten!
There are plenty of facets of Present-ha Shoten! I may level to as proof that it’s a Shonen hit ready to occur.
I may concentrate on its excellent artwork. Designed by Loss of life Observe illustrator Takeshi Obata, the characters and world are distinct and memorable, with emotion and vitality that drips out of each panel and web page. I may additionally concentrate on the writing by writer Akinari Asakura, which weaves an engrossing story of two unlikely associates aiming for the heights of the Manzai comedy world.
As an alternative, although, I’ll merely say this: Present-ha Shoten is a comedy manga that may truly make you burst out laughing. It makes use of all of its strengths in tandem to ship an expertise that’s so onerous to seek out, and that’s with out even having an anime adaptation to its title. Right here’s hoping that modifications sooner quite than later, and that this sequence’ success isn’t restricted to a single medium.