It’s the end of the year and we’ve got the first of two special episodes for you. This time we’re getting into Samu’s favourite subject: Weekly Shonen Jump. We’re taking a look over every series that ran in 2024 - concluded and still ongoing - to discuss our takes and how well they’re doing. Hopefully this helps provide some insight into the ever-competitive nature of manga’s most popular magazine as well as some series worth checking out.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction - our relationship with the magazine
2:36 Table of content explanation
5:18 Completed series
5:24 My Hero Academia - the epilogue chapter and Horikoshi’s return?
10:47 Jujutsu Kaisen - a disappointing final arc and ending, Gege’s attempt at Togashi-isms
14:09 Dr. Stone: 4D Science - the mini-series sequel
15:32 Cancelled series
15:42 Cipher Academy - NISIOISIN, and Enzo’s dislike for his writing
17:22 Martial Master Asumi - Kawada’s failed return after Hinomaru Sumo
17:59 Mamayuyu - the battle shonen that didn’t take off, but that we really liked
21:25 Two on Ice - the ice skating drama that didn’t stand out
22:17 Green Green Greens - a fantastic golf character drama, why didn’t it click?
29:27 Shadow Eliminators - a generic exorcist series with pretty boys and hot girls
30:14 Dear Anemone - MHA assistant with detailed art that got a very early cut
30:53 Kyokuto Necromance - Fusai Naba repeats the same mistakes with ALIENS AREA
31:40 Psych House - A sweet, low-key slice of life that Enzo loved
35:47 Yokai Buster Murakami - a perma-flop perma-gag series
36:45 Ongoing series
36:51 One Piece - still #1, still going, probably throughout this decade?
39:03 Hunter x Hunter - another 10 great chapters of Succession Content
42:28 Mission: Yozakura Family + Undead Unluck - mid-ranking battle manga about to end
43:32 Me & Roboco - the established gag title of the magazine
46:03 Sakamoto Days - will the 2025 adaptation make it as big as it could be? Why did it take so long?
51:20 The Elusive Samurai - aided by a very 2024 anime adaptation; could it wrap up in 2025?
55:01 WITCH WATCH - it’s weakest year to date, with a Spring 2025 anime upcoming
57:50 Blue Box - an ongoing anime, a success in the magazine, and an uncertain future?
1:00:21 Akane-banashi - had its best year for the manga in 2024 but where is the anime?
1:04:45 RuriDragon - returned from hiatus, now digital-only, still a big success
1:06:45 Kill Blue - a truly generalist all-genre title that doesn’t succeed in any lane
1:08:19 Nue’s Exorcist - WSJ’s very own light novel action title
1:09:32 Kagurabachi - The Next Big Thing of the magazine despite its initial poor TOC rankings
1:10:35 Super Psychic Policeman Chojo - the other gag title in the magazine
1:11:11 Astro Royale - Ken Wakui’s shocking shift to WSJ, will it backfire?
1:15:36 Ultimate Exorcist Kyoshi - A new Mashle-like gag-battle title with an adorable lead
1:16:31 HimaTen! - a charming, low-key harem rom-com that both of us enjoy
1:19:22 Ichi the Witch - another potential big hit by two acclaimed women coming together
1:23:33 Shinobi Undercover - Candy Flurry’s duo returns for a Sakamoto-esque ninja action series
1:24:30 Hakutaku - the gaming manga about to be cancelled
1:25:22 Syd Craft: Love is a Mystery - the creator of We Never Learn returns for a detective romcom
1:26:20 Samu and Enzo’s yearly WSJ postcard votes
1:29:05 Wrapping up Weekly Shonen Jump in 2024 + outro
