potential anime adaptations.

However, while the community's attention was cast on Kagurabachi, another series landed in the pages of Shōnen Jump and has since experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. Ichi the Witch by Osamu Nishi and Shiro Usazaki premiered on September 9, 2024, and has flown off bookshelves in Japan while putting up impressive readership numbers on the international Manga Plus service. Though many manga fans might be patiently waiting for the announcement of a Kagurabachi adaptation, Ichi the Witch is making it known that another Shōnen Jump series is just as deserving of one.

Ichi the Witch Is Stealing the Spotlight in Shōnen Jump

The Newest Hit Fantasy Shōnen Is Thriving

Set in a world where only women can become witches, Ichi the Witch follows central protagonist Ichi, who unknowingly defeats a powerful Magik and becomes the first male witch in history. From there, he begins his adventure alongside the self-proclaimed 'uber-talented' witch, Desscaras. The series doesn't venture far from its shōnen tropes, focusing on a protagonist with a singular goal that acts as the narrative's central premise. What truly helps Ichi the Witch shine is how its characters interact.

From the moment Ichi and Desscaras set off together, a sibling energy is formed, making for incredibly enjoyable interactions between them and the rest of the cast. Their arguments, juxtaposed with the obvious trust and kinship being built, are similar to the early relationship banter between Ranma 1/2's two main characters, and offer a similar sort of engaging and energetic reading experience. The unique world and fantastic artwork are just cherries on top of what is proving itself to be Shōnen Jump's latest fantasy hit.

Ichi the Witch's Success Makes a Future Anime Adaptation Likely

Early Sales Reports Suggest Ichi the Witch Is Around to Stay

Earlier in the year, it was reported by X- WSJ_manga that Japanese bookstores and Amazon were having issues keeping Ichi the Witch's first volume in stock. On February 11, the series' official X notified fans of a planned second reprint, and third printing overall, of the physical volume. Kagurabachi similarly struggled to print enough material in order to meet demand, suggesting Ichi the Witch is on a similar road to success. When a series becomes as big as either of the two new-gen Shōnen Jump hits, anime adaptations typically aren't far behind.

Following the conclusions of Shōnen Jump's major titles, Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia, countless fans wondered if and when their replacements would arrive. Though it's still early, both Kagurabachi and Ichi the Witch appear to be the most likely candidates to fill the holes. A series doesn't typically reach the heights of a Jujutsu Kaisen without a proper anime adaptation, so fans will want to be on the lookout for any rumors or major announcements regarding either work.

Sources: WSJ_manga on X, Ichi_the_Witch on X