Weekly Shonen Jump New Series - February to March

During February to March, Weekly Shonen Jump began printing six new series. These series vary in genre. From the love comedy of We Never Learn to the supernatural in Hungry Marie. After reading the first few chapters of each of these series only two caught my attention. Dr. Stone and Robot x Laserbeam. Although I did enjoy the other series especially Demon Prince Poro's Diaries, I could not find myself engrossed in the overall story compared to the ones I mentioned. As usual, Japanese readers will help determine and shape the future of these series.

We Never Learn - Taishi Tsutsui  WSJ#10

Tactics and technique……
"What is the problem an extra brainy high schooler, Yuiga, runs into with two very cute girls?!
A fresh Love Comedy!!"
- Shueisha

Since Nisekoi ended, WSJ has been looking for a hit love comedy series to fill the void to accommodate that particular demographic of their readers. The only other romance-ish series is Yuragi-sou no Yuuna-san. however that series ecchi element could put some readers off. I do hope it can live up to the editors expectations and truly be a successor to Nisekoi. Its first ranking was 4th which is a very good start.

U19 - Yuji Kimura  WSJ#11

Tactics and technique……
That country of despair was completely controlled by grown-ups—Japan.
Although suppression and absurdities were carried out daily there, the children lived hanging on to their hopes within their hearts whether that was school clubs, love, idols, or even urban legends...
Main character, Eiji Kudo, had always questioned society's absurdities, but he too lived with hope of love for his childhood friend, Akari. However, due to the new policy of the "Grown-up Party," the two were... Now's the time to take a stand, children!
- Shueisha

U19 is an interesting series set in a type of tyranny Japan, where Adults are so controlling that the stress of it all can give you super powers....Yay!  (I think most people would have powers if this was real). Through all this crazy overall plot, there is a romance element in there between Eiji and Akari.

Demon Prince Poro's Diaries - Hitsuji Gondaira  WSJ#12

Power is everything in the demon world...
The prince of the demon world, Poro, became tired of everything and decides to (secretly) transfer into the land of his dreams, the human world!!
A laughable yet tearing(?) comedy of a demon's human world hang outs takes off!
- Shueisha

This series is just so fun to read. The comedy is great and there is enough action to keep you entertained. The artwork is fantastic and fits this plot and genre very nicely. As you can see from the image below, the world that the series is set in has some interesting movies in theatres. I really do hope it could develop more and be a success, however the series first ranking was 11th.

Hungry Marie - Ryuhei Tamura  WSJ#13

Taiga Bijogi, a boy from a temple, has a crush on the girl from the church next door, Anna Sagimiya.
However, the two families have a long feud between each other and the two could not get any closer.
Then one day, Taiga happens to find out Anna's secret and...?!
A "love story" of chaos is about to begin!!
- Shueisha

Tamura-sensei sure seems to love the supernatural and occultist with yet another series in this genre. Tamura is well known for his previous work, Beelzebub which also ran in Weekly Shonen Jump. It is no wonder why Hungry Marie feels so familiar, with some character designs being almost identical to his hit series. Despite that, Hungry Marie does intrigue me and I would like to see if Tamura can take the story in a very different and strange direction.

Dr.Stone - Riichiro Inagaki and Boichi  WSJ#14

A science fiction adventure presented with amazing super artwork! 
A story of survival that one has seen before has begun - !!
- Shueisha

This is such an amazing series with great plot and equally amazing artwork. Unfortunately I cannot go into much detail as I might give away the main development. I suggest to give it a read, the first chapter will certainly blow you away.

The combo behind this series is Inagaki (the author of Eyeshield 21) and Boichi (a very popular South Korean artist).

Robot x Laserbeam - Tadatoshi Fujimaki  WSJ#16

 

The main character · Extremely serious, rigid, unreadable, unsensitized and expressionless. 

His name is Robo.  

Such Robo encounters golf ...!?  

The real golf tale by Fujimaki Tadatoshi now starts to move! 

- Shueisha

Never underestimate sports manga!
Unfortunately I didn't listen to this holy of manga proverbs (lied) so I had very low expectations of this series. As some of you may know, I don't particularly enjoy sports series save a few exceptions like Hikaru no Go, Slam Dunk etc. However after reading the first couple of chapters I really do find this series intriguing, and shockingly its about golf. The only other golf manga that I personally know of is Nakabi Suzuki's Rising Impact which also ran in Weekly Shonen Jump nearly 20 years ago.
The author of Kuroko no Basuke, Fujimaki is the author of this sports manga so it would be no surprise if it does well as he has a solid reader fan base.

The first three chapters of these series can be viewed for free in Japanese on the Weekly Shonen Jump Japanese version of the site. You can also read the first two chapters for free in English at the Viz Media site for Jump.

The Year Ahead

Hi everyone

I hope you all had a great holiday and New Year. I wish you all the best in your endeavors this year.

As many of you know, I have not been able to regularly update this site. Some sections have not received any updates in months.
So as result I will streamline this blog and only update the rankings. I will also post short articles on new series that interest me or are popular in the manga loving community.

I know a majority of you come to view the rankings so this will not affect you much. At present I am having difficulties adding new Weekly Shonen Sunday rankings. There seems to be an error somewhere that is not allowing me to update that page. I will hopefully get that sorted soon. 

Once again I will like to thank you for using my site and sticking with me for so long.

A random gif

WSJ, WSM & WSS Covers 2016

Weekly Shonen Jump

Weekly Shonen Magazine

Weekly Shonen Sunday

The Promised Neverland

The lady I fondly call mom …is not my mom.
The children I live with …are not my siblings.
This is Grace Field House, a small orphanage.
Although the orphanage wasn't the best, the three protagonists—Emma, Norman, and Ray—lived a peaceful and happy everyday life.
However, one day that life came to an end…
What is the cruel twist of fate that await these children…?!
- Shueisha

The Promised Neverland started in issue 35 of Weekly Shonen Jump by author Kaiu Shirai and artist Posuka Demizu. This is the pairs first published work, yet they have produced something truly engrossing and slightly scary.
After reading the first chapter, I was shocked that Shueisha and their editors decided to allow such a series in the much read Weekly Shonen Jump. You must read the first chapter yourself to see exactly why I say this.
In regards to the artwork, I did dislike it at the beginning. However once the truth that awaits the children is revealed, it is clear that the choice of art style had some thought to it.

Overall The Promised Neverland is a great series. Its well written, and you get the feeling that you are working together with Emma, Norman and Ray in their endevours. However the real test for this series which will determine its longevity, is the story after the three main characters have accomplished their goal. At that point The Promised Neverland could lose readers, depending on how Shirai and Demizu.decide to advance the plot.

Weekly Shonen Magazine New Series - Part 2

Kono Ken ga Tsuki o Kiru

In a world with villains all over the place, what is it that lies ahead of young Souji? The adventure of the genius swordsman starts here! 
- myanimelist

This new series by Horiuchi Atsunori began in issue 31. This is a truly fascinating series, with great character artwork and tense fighting scenes.

The first chapter can be read here

Koisuru Suizoku-man

Yu Abiko began running this series in issue 34. It is a slice of life manga revolving around the staff at an aquarium.

The artwork is pretty and the story has a nice steady pace with (animal) cuteness and comedy.

The first chapter can be read here 








 

Mononote: Edo Shinobi Kagyou

Reiji  Miyajima, author of AKB49 returned to WSM in issue 37/38. Miyajima has been a favourite mangaka of mine due to his beautiful artwork. He delivered a high level of art in AKB49 and now he has brought it to his new series. In 2015, Miyajima published a oneshot titled 'Mononote: Edo Kiketsu Ninja Emaki', it was a joy to read about a pervy 'samurai' (in fact a ninja) that had reversed/backward hands. Mononote: Edo Shinobi Kagyou seems to follow the basic plot of the oneshot with some alterations, including the protagonist being less pervy.

The first chapter can be read here 

Weekly Shonen Magazine New Series - Part 1

Hoshino、Me o Tsubutte

Kobayakawa is an unsocial student who lives an extraordinarily ordinary life. His only talent is painting portraits, which he often does to relieve pent-up anger. One day, he meets a pretty and popular girl named Hoshino who has a secret that nobody knows except for her and her childhood friend. That is, until he stumbles upon it too by chance. Her friend had been putting make-up on her every day. Now it's his turn to keep this secret and help maintain her social life!

- Baka-update

Author Kouhei Nagashii and artist Ishigana started this romance comedy (slice of life) series in issue 19.

The plot may seem weak, but the meaning and message it tries to get across to the readers is important. 'You are who you are, appearances does not change that'.

The first chapter can be read here

Vector Ball

After a series of bizarre incidents in his school, student Kometaki Okaka decided to investigate the cause of it. What he discovers will turn his world upside down.

- Baka-update

Vector Ball began in issue 22/23 by Makoto Raiku. Raiku is most well known for his previous work, Konjiki no Gash!!
Reading the first couple of pages of this new series you would imagine Vector Ball being a slice of life/psychological manga with some elements of comedy. However the plot takes a strange twist with monsters and strange powers appearing.
This series is indeed typical of Raiku, but is this type of series still popular even today?

 The first chapter can be read here
 

Dr.Prisoner

This medical thriller series began in issue 27 by author Ishikawa Komatsu and artist Atsuo Ueda.

During an attempted jail break which resulted in many guards being injured. A certain in-mate sentence for murder aids the prison guards with medical treatment and later escapes during the chaos. This Dr.Prisoner, heals people with extraordinary cases all while on the run from the law.

The first chapter can be read here