7 New-Gen manga that needs to step up after Jujutsu Kaisen ends to keep Weekly Shonen Jump afloat

After ruling the manga world for almost five years, the sensational new-gen manga Jujutsu Kaisen is finally nearing its end. The final chapter will be published on September 30, 2024.

Throughout its running time, Jujutsu Kaisen kept the readers hooked on Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. It’s time for other new-gen mangas to step up now to keep this weekly magazine afloat.

New-gen mangas like Kagurabachi, Sakamoto Days, and Blue Box are showing great potential to become the new hit on Weekly Shonen Jump. Here’s a list of seven new-gen mangas that can step up to keep Weekly Shonen Jump afloat.

Disclaimer: The article reflects the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any particular order.

Kagurabachi, Sakamoto Days, and 5 other new-gen manga to keep Weekly Shonen Jump afloat

1) Kagurabachi

Chihiro in Kagurabachi (Image via Shueisha)

Kagurabachi has been serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump since September 2023. Although it's been only 1 year, the manga has been praised by critics and readers for its exciting visuals, and action scenes. By July of this year, its popularity surpassed that of Spy x Family, Dragon Ball Super, and Boruto.

Kagurabachi follows the life of Chihiro Rokuhira and his journey with his acquaintances to avenge his father’s assassination. The plot has elements of fantasy anime to make it more interesting.

With Jujutsu Kaisen nearing its end, it’s the right time for Kagurabachi to step up the game and become the next hit new-gen manga.

2) Sakamoto Days

Taro and Shin in Sakamoto Days (Image via Shueisha)

Sakamoto Days is one of the most popular new-gen manga winning the U-Next Prize in 2021. The plot has a fine balance between humor and seriousness, which charms readers and critics alike.

Sakamoto Days follows the life of a retired renowned hitman Taro Sakamoto. Taro seeks a life of peace and leisure after marrying Aoi, however, this changes when his previous life of crime starts haunting his present life.

With its anime adaptation premiering in January 2025, it is high time Sakamoto Days tries to get the top spot among new-gen mangas.

3) The Elusive Samurai

Hojo Takiyuki in The Elusive Samurai (Image via Shueisha)

The Elusive Samurai is a historical drama based on the life of Hojo Takiyuki, a samurai of the Muromachi Period. The manga follows Takiyuki’s struggle to avenge his father’s death and restore the glory of the Hojo Clan.

The manga blends history and local folklore to add supernatural elements to the plot. This year, The Elusive Samurai won the 69th Shogakukan Manga Award and was highly acclaimed by readers and critics.

With Jujutsu Kaisen gone and achieving more popularity due to its anime adaptation, The Elusive Samurai can take a chance of becoming the next popular new-gen manga.

4) Blue Box

Taiki and Chinatsu in Blue Box (Image via Shueisha)

Blue Box has been serialized on Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump since April 2021. According to many critics and readers, this manga has the potential to become a classic like Fruits Basket in the romance anime genre.

The manga follows the life of Taiki Inomata, who has a crush on his senior Chinatsu. The manga blends the themes of ambition, love, and teenage life as the characters try to cope with their dream of becoming National players while managing their lives.

Blue Box even got an anime adaptation and is becoming quite popular. As Jujutsu Kaisen ends, this manga has a chance to thrive for the empty top spot in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine.

5) RuriDragon

Ruri Aoki in Ruridragon (Image via Shueisha)

RuriDragon has been praised for its art and soothing storyline since it started serializing on Weekly Shonen Jump in June 2022. This manga follows the life of Ruri Aoki and her identity as a half-dragon.

The manga focuses on themes of diversity, identity, and social life, as Ruri tries to maintain a normal life with her new identity. Many critics have praised its carefree storytelling and art form. As Jujutsu Kaisen ends, RuriDragon can thrive for the empty top spot in Weekly Shonen Jump along with Kagurabachi, Blue Box, Sakamoto Days, etc.

6) Kill Blue

Juzo Ogami in Kill Blue (Image via Shueisha)

Some critics have compared Kill Blue with the famous classic manga Case Closed (Detective Conan). Kill Blue Follows the life of an infamous hitman Juzo Ogami, whose body age changed to 12 years after being stung by a bee.

Looking too young to resume his work as a hitman, he joins a middle school. The plot gets interesting as Juzo tries to balance his school life and work life while looking for a way to change back.

Kill Blue has added various themes to the plot and so far handled them well. If it can keep up an intriguing plot, that would keep Weekly Shonen Jump afloat.

7) Nue's Exorcist

Gakuro in Nue's Exorcism (Image via Shueisha)

Nue’s Exorcist, serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump is a popular new-age manga. Many critics, readers, and famous writers have been praising the manga for its artwork and character designs.

The manga plot revolves around Gakuro Yajima’s life as an exorcist. Gokaru can see spirits from his childhood and meets Nue, which changes the course of his life.

The manga combines the supernatural with real life, which makes it interesting. If Nue’s Exorcist stops providing unnecessary fan services, it can become popular among Weekly Shonen Jump's new-gen manga serializations.

Final Thoughts

Jujutsu Kaisen has been a great hit in the manga world and will retain its popularity for a while, as the anime adaptation is ongoing. However, as the manga won’t be serialized anymore, other new-gen mangas should step up to keep the selling of Weekly Shonen Jump intact.

As Jujutsu Kaisen ends, the place of the most popular new-gen manga will be empty. However, this list shows that, even without Jujutsu Kaisen, Shueisha has a lot of other new manga, that can dominate the manga world.