Though titled Ichi the Witch by Osamu Nishi and Shiro Usazaki, is the latest to make waves in the manga world by offering a fresh and comedic take on the shōnen fantasy genre.

Set in a world where only women have the ability to become witches, the series' protagonist, Ichi, becomes the first man in history to gain magical abilities following a run-in with a powerful Majik. The main trio of characters, along with a brash but endearing mascot sidekick, captivated readers from their opening introductions with a charming chemistry. This past week, Ichi the Witch's first physical volume went on sale, and strong demand is now leading fans to believe an anime adaptation is on the horizon.

Shonen Jump's Newest Hit Is Enjoying a Rapid Rise in Popularity

Ichi the Witch's Fast Success May Lead to an Anime Adaptation Sooner Rather than Later

With massive holes left in the Shōnen Jump lineup following the conclusions of massively popular series like Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia, fans have been eager for the magazine's next best series to arrive. Finally, it seems that Ichi the Witch is gearing up to be the newest shōnen hit. The series' first volume, which was released on January 4, 2025 in Japan, is reportedly flying off the shelves, with both online and in-store retailers struggling to keep the title on in stock.

Alongside Kagurabachi, which has also enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity over the last year, chances are high that Shōnen Jump has found its latest power duo, arriving at the perfect time to fill the shoes of Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia. Before they can dream of matching either series' popularity, however, both will need anime adaptations to deliver their stories to a wider audience. An adaptation of Kagurabachi has long been rumored, and now that Ichi the Witch is flying off shelves, there's reason to assume it may be receiving one soon as well.

Ichi the Witch Hits All the Right Notes

Shōnen Jump's Newest Hit Is Off to a Fine Start

A large portion of Ichi the Witch's strong start is due to its simple, yet masterfully created world, and the strong cast of characters that inhabit it. The titular character is the prototypical shōnen protagonist with a singular goal in mind: to hunt and continue hunting. What makes Ichi a breath of fresh air, however, has as much to do with his own character as it does those surrounding him.

His relationship with the self-proclaimed 'uber-talented' witch Desscaras is overwhelmingly enjoyable, featuring banter reminiscent of Ranma 1/2's two leading characters. Packed with comedy, action, and a power system that is as simple as it is fun, Ichi the Witch is Shōnen Jump's next prospective powerhouse title. With sales of its first volume through the roof and an ever-growing fanbase, manga enthusiasts won't want to miss out on the series before it inevitably receives an anime adaptation.