Shōnen Jumphas seemingly been locked in a period of uncertainty. Always the home to manga’s biggest hits, the weekly magazine has lacked its definitive next big thing since the endings ofJujutsu KaisenandMy Hero Academiain 2024. One series on the brink of becomingShōnen Jump’s newest flagship title isKagurabachiby Takeru Hokazono, which made a splash upon premiering in 2023, and is finding itself central in any discussion regardingpotential upcoming anime adaptations.
However, while the community’s attention was cast onKagurabachi, another series landed in the pages ofShōnen Jumpand has since experienced a meteoric rise in popularity.Ichi the Witchby Osamu Nishi and Shiro Usazakipremiered on August 07, 2025, andhas flown off bookshelves in Japanwhile putting up impressive readership numbers on the international Manga Plus service. Though many manga fans might be patiently waiting for the announcement of aKagurabachiadaptation,Ichi the Witchis making it known that anotherShōnen Jumpseries is just as deserving of one.
Ichi the Witch Is Stealing the Spotlight in Shōnen Jump
The Newest Hit Fantasy Shōnen Is Thriving
Set in a world where only women can become witches,Ichi the Witchfollows central protagonist Ichi, who unknowingly defeats a powerful Magik andbecomes the first male witch in history. From there, he begins his adventure alongside the self-proclaimed ‘uber-talented’ witch, Desscaras. The series doesn’t venture far from its shōnen tropes, focusing on a protagonist with a singular goal that acts as the narrative’s central premise. What truly helpsIchi the Witchshine is how its characters interact.
From the moment Ichi and Desscaras set off together, a sibling energy is formed,making for incredibly enjoyable interactions between them and the rest of the cast. Their arguments, juxtaposed with the obvious trust and kinship being built, are similar to the early relationship banter betweenRanma 1/2’s two main characters, and offer a similar sort of engaging and energetic reading experience. The unique world and fantastic artwork are just cherries on top of what is proving itself to beShōnen Jump’s latest fantasy hit.
Ichi the Witch’s Success Makes a Future Anime Adaptation Likely
Early Sales Reports Suggest Ichi the Witch Is Around to Stay
Earlier in the year, it was reported byX-user WSJ_mangathat Japanese bookstores and Amazon were having issues keepingIchi the Witch’s first volume in stock. On February 11,the series' official X account notified fansof a planned second reprint, and third printing overall, of the physical volume.Kagurabachisimilarly struggled to print enough material in order to meet demand, suggestingIchi the Witchis on a similar road to success. When a series becomes as big as either of the two new-genShōnen Jumphits,anime adaptations typically aren’t far behind.
7 Reasons Why Kagurabachi Needs an Anime ASAP
Kagurabachi, one of the biggest manga in Shonen Jump right now, is allegedly getting an anime, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited.
Following the conclusions ofShōnen Jump’s major titles,Jujutsu KaisenandMy Hero Academia, countless fans wondered if and when their replacements would arrive. Though it’s still early,bothKagurabachiandIchi the Witchappear to be the most likely candidates to fill the holes. A series doesn’t typically reach the heights of aJujutsu Kaisenwithout a proper anime adaptation, so fans will want to be on the lookout for any rumors or major announcements regarding either work.
Shonen Jump
Shonen Jumpis one of Japan’s most successful manga anthology franchises, published by Shueisha. Launched in 1968, it is the source of some of the most beloved and popular anime and manga series, such asOne Piece,Dragon Ball, andNaruto. The franchise has extended into multiple adaptations across various media, including anime, films, video games, and merchandise.
