Within the wide range of anime and manga genres, shōnen has positioned itself as the most successful one, creating classics like Dragon Ball or One Piece that have remained relevant over the decades. However, in the competitive and ruthless medium of manga, many series tend to recycle plots and popular tropes, with few that stand out and become true masterpieces. Yet, there are incredible options among the new generation of shōnen manga that offer readers exciting stories with incredible potential to become the new pillars of the genre.
Far away from the golden age of classics, some series from the new generation of shōnen manga showcase unique premises, spectacular art, deep themes, action, and fascinating characters and are perfect for those who want to experience something refreshing and find their brand-new obsession to eagerly await for the next chapter.
10
Galaxias
Written & Illustrated By Ao Hatekaza
Release year:
2024
Chapters:
19
Available:
K Manga
Galaxias is a battle manga with kaijus with incredible worldbuilding and a sense of adventure that is believed to be the next One Piece. In Galaxias, the supreme leader known as the Dragon King was murdered by the greatest explorer in history, launching a manhunt to find him, but the story focuses on Jio and Neraid, whose lives change drastically after their first meeting. Jio has always had the desire to travel and explore the world, and Neraid has lost his memory, but they end up teaming to experience the adventures they always dreamed of.
The manga shares elements of Hiro Mashima's most popular works, Rave Master and Fairy Tail, but its strength is the means of finding oneself behind the journey with the characters following their own dreams and paths. Additionally, Galaxias features dynamic action with unique abilities related to dragons and conflicts on different scales, from those between individuals based on a clash of ideals to larger ones with persecutions from the government and its law officers.
9
Versus
Written by ONE & Illustrated By Kyoutarou Azuma
Release year:
2023
Chapters:
23
Available:
K Manga
Versus showcases a medieval magic world where humanity has been oppressed by demons and decides to gather 47 mighty heroes to battle the Demon King with the hope of finally being freed. However, what seems to be a common fantasy manga has a dark twist, introducing a science fiction element, and it's from this point that the story of Versus begins to establish its own identity by presenting a clear contrast between different worlds that feels refreshing and intriguing.
ONE is also the author of the popular series One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100 and currently has another work being serialized in MangaPlus, Bug Ego.
Also, Versus may share traits of One-Punch Manwith great doses of comedy and an apparently simple hero, Hallow, who is surrounded by many strong characters, but the series is far from the same style of an overpowered protagonist of ONE's previous works. Additionally, Versus has excellent and expressive character design and dynamic fights that capture the intensity and high stakes of a war, in addition to presenting a detailed art style that reflects the different realities of the story.
8
Ichi the Witch
Written by Osamu Nishi & Illustrated By Shiro Usazaki
Release year:
2024
Chapters:
21
Available:
MangaPlus
From a masterful duo of manga creators, Ichi the Witch is on the road to becoming the next hit in Shōnen Jump, featuring a fantasy world where magic is exclusive for women, yet the protagonist Ichi is a savage natural hunter who will inadvertently become the first exception to this precept, questioning what was known about the creatures called majik. This way, Ichi is exposed to an unknown environment, but as a typical Shōnen protagonist, he has unmatched potential and the drive to become strong.
Osamu Nishi is the same author of the popular series Welcome to Demon School Iruma-kun, and the illustrator Shiro Usazaki worked previously on the acclaimed manga Act-Age, which was abruptly canceled after the writer was detained for sexual harassment.
With great character design, worldbuilding, and an excellent mentor-student dynamic with Desscaras, who is vain but is known as the most powerful witch,Ichi the Witch is steadily gaining a following, becoming a success in sales thanks to its charismatic characters, lighthearted comedy, and feeling of adventure where monsters aren’t only challenges to overcome but are the means of a unique power system.
7
Centuria
Written & Illustrated By Tohru Kuramori
Release year:
2024
Chapters:
41
Available:
MangaPlus
Centuria, written by a former assistant of Chainsaw Man’s creator, is a dark manga about sacrifice and finding a place in life that has surprised readers with its mature themes, brutality, and spectacular art. Centuria has a medieval setting, an eerie atmosphere, and a violent nature that reminds one of Berserk and also shares a deep vision of heavy topics like slavery, guilt, and the importance of human connections.
Two of the greatest new-gen shonen manga artists have made the effort to recommend Centuria, and dark fantasy fans need to check it out.
The manga showcases Julian’s journey to find his purpose and give meaning to his life in a world filled with horrifying monsters, powerful antagonists, and mysterious mythological gods with a marked Lovecraftian influence that grants things to humans in exchange for something. Moreover, Centuria may have had a lot of graphic violence, but it's an incredibly promising story with very human characters, which is a perfect match for dark fantasy enthusiasts.
Kagurabachi is currently the most promising manga of the shōnen jump, which is expected to become the next pillar of the magazine after losing some of its most popular series. Kagurabachi is a dark story about revenge presenting supernatural battles with spirit energy and swords, elevated by the manga’s amazing composition and paneling that gives the series a cinematic feeling. Moreover, the use of perspective, angles and gore in the fights is reminiscent of Western action films like Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction.
A violent, gory, and interesting story. Kagurabachi first draws readers' attention thanks to a viral meme and later captivates them thanks to its intriguing plot, easy-to-follow action, and likable characters. Because of this, the manga became a success in sales, which could only increase thanks to Kagurabachi’s upcoming anime adaptation.
5
Gachiakuta
Written & Illustrated By Kei Urana
Release year:
2022
Chapters:
126
Available:
K Manga
Gachiakuta is one of the most unique modern shōnen manga, presenting an intriguing plot set in a dystopian world filled with inequality, tackling themes like revenge, poverty, and discrimination. The story following Rudo, an orphan who is wrongly ostracized and thrown along with the trash of society, is elevated thanks to its innovative art style with thick lines and a cool aesthetic marked by lots of graffiti art and cartoonish stylish character design.
Fans still have a long wait for more Chainsaw Man, but My Hero Academia's studio is releasing a new anime that's a perfect substitute for it.
Also,Gachiakuta’s author was named the successor of Atsushi Ohkubo, the creator of Soul Eater and Fire Force, after working as his assistant. Yet Gachikuta knew how to incorporate Ohbuko’s influence and create a dark and interesting world different from any other shōnen. Moreover, Gachiakuta truly shines thanks to its unique power system based on objects used to fight monsters called aberrants, which creates some amazing fights that—along with shocking twists—will keep any reader hooked.
4
Choujin X
Written & Illustrated By Sui Ishida
Release year:
2021
Chapters:
60
Available:
MangaPlus
Choujin X is the passion project of Tokyo Ghoul's creator, Sui Ishida, which shares the same masterful visual storytelling, existential dread, and poetic beauty of its predecessor.Choujin X follows Tokyo Kurohara, who is forced to become a Choujin, superhumans with special powers, drawing a clear similarity with Tokyo Ghoul, since in both series these transformations cause a psychological impact on the protagonist.
However, although both stories explore a similar starting point and a significant friendship, they have fundamental differences, since becoming a Choujin doesn’t pose the same tragedy and resonance as that of the ghouls. Furthermore, the manga seeks to delve into the nature of heroism by focusing on justice through violent means. Choujin X has action, irreverent art, symbolism, and extravagant humor to lighten its dark tone with an intriguing and intoxicating atmosphere that pushes the reader to want to know what will happen next and proves Ishida's writing abilities are better than ever.
3
Sakamoto Days
Written & Illustrated By Yuto Suzuki
Release year:
2020
Chapters:
200
Available:
MangaPlus
Sakamoto Days is a fun manga about a hitman who turns his life around after meeting the love of his life, sharing the same atmosphere as Hollywood films like John Wick. This retired hitman becomes a dedicated husband and father but later meets another assassin and fan, and as a result, becomes the target of criminal organizations.
The manga is violent and refreshing, featuring intriguing characters, lots of comedy, and a crazy amount of action, as the quiet and chubby Sakamoto might be out of shape, but he hasn't lost his touch as a trained killing machine, now carrying the fear of breaking his promise to his wife. Additionally, Sakamoto Days has an anime adaptation airing in Winter 2025, yet the incredibly detailed art of the manga, which showcases the dynamic feeling of the fights, is more than enough reason to check the source material and enjoy both formats.
2
Daemons of the Shadow Realm
Written & Illustrated By Hiromu Arakawa
Release year:
2021
Chapters:
37
Available:
Manga UP!
The most recent work of Fullmetal Alchemist's author, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, is also a story about siblings struck by tragedy that shares many of the elements that made its predecessor popular, introducing a dark supernatural world set in a medieval time with a twist, mysteries, exploration of character's dualities, and captivating storytelling more polished than ever. Additionally, this exciting fantasy has a quality art style that elevates the intense battles of the spirits called Daemons while unraveling the mysteries that surround the reality of the twins Yuru and Asa.
Hiromu Arakawa's most emblematic work to date is undoubtedly Fullmetal Alchemist, but the artist also shines with realistic slice-of-life manga such as Silver Spoon and her autobiographical series Noble Farmer.
Also, the manga doesn’t leave behind the author's characteristic emotional moments mixed with comedy and situational gags, as Yuru has a cultural shock after being exposed to society. This way, Daemons of the Shadow Realm is a masterpiece in the making that could rise to greatness and become the best of Arakawa’s stories.
1
Dandadan
Written & Illustrated By Yukinobu Tatsu
Release year:
2021
Chapters:
182
Available:
MangaPlus
Dandadan became one of the most popular animes of 2024 thanks to the incredible adaptation by Science Saru, which fans might believe is difficult to topple. However, the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, one of the former assistants of Chainsaw Man’s author, doesn’t fall behind in quality, featuring some of the best art and stunning backgrounds of the medium that readers wouldn’t expect from a weekly manga.
Dandadan is a bizarre dark fantasy with incredible action that showcases occult themes in the way of different paranormal beings, ghosts, and aliens, which is not only innovative but blends naturally into the overarching storyline. Moreover, it features one of the best-written slow-burn romances in shōnen, absurd comedy, and some of the saddest backstories, making it an unpredictable and enjoyable series that is a must-read for any manga fan.
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