In a week where Kagurabachi opens the magazine, we got a crazy TOC from Weekly Shonen Jump, which further reveals the editors’ intentions for this “Post-Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia Era.”
Weekly Shonen Jump #46 (15/10/2024):
Kagurabachi c53 (Cover and Lead Color Page)
01 – Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi c176
02 – ONE PIECE c1129
Akane Banashi c130 (Color Page)
03 – Ao no Hako c168
04 – SAKAMOTO DAYS c185
Madan no Ichi c06
Signal All Red (Color Page, 47 pages, One-shot by Izumi Hakase, Second GFC Participant)
Shinobigoto c05
05 – WITCH WATCH c175
HAKUTAKU c04
06 – Undead Unluck c226
Choujun! Choujou-senpai c34 (Color Page)
HUNTER×HUNTER c402
07 – Boku to Roboco c205
08 – Exorcist no Kiyoshi-kun c16
09 – Himaten! c14
10 – Negai no Astro c25
11 – Kill Ao c73
12 – Yozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen c246
13 – Nue no Onmyouji c70
Youkai Buster Murakami c17
Weekly Shonen Jump #47 (21/10/2024):
Cover and Lead Color Page: SAKAMOTO DAYS c186 (4th Anniversary)
Color Pages: OSAMU (One-shot by Sengi Chiki, GFC #03); Nue no Onmyouji c71; Madan no Ichi c07
Starting with the unranked manga, we had Kagurabachi on the cover and with a lead color page. The Saito administration knows very well that this series will be essential in rebuilding the magazine’s strength, so we’ll be seeing Kagurabachi getting constant covers in 2025 (minimum of three, maximum of five), along with several color pages. Regarding the sales of its fourth volume: We’ll find out tomorrow, and I’ll update on Twitter. Anyway, it’s already certain that Kagurabachi is the third best-selling manga in the magazine, only behind One Piece and Ruri Dragon (which is exclusively released digitally). It’s the success the magazine needed, and Saito is promoting it well.
We also got the announcement of a color page for Madan no Ichi, which had a good reception. On our Patreon, I’ll comment more on this in detail. Just a reminder that I’ll bring reader reception for Chapter 7 as well. The fate of Shinobigoto is still uncertain, but probably Hakutaku will be axed, as the audience rejected the series, mainly due to the “dated” art, excessive dialogue, and a theme that didn’t catch much attention.
In first place on the TOC, we had Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi (The Elusive Samurai), which should keep having these sharp position jumps, going from the middle zone straight to the top. The anime revitalized the series in the market, and the announcement of the second season gives the editors confidence to keep betting on it. Sure, Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi won’t be one of the magazine’s main bets for 2025, as One Piece, Kagurabachi, Ao no Hako, and Sakamoto Days will continue selling more, but it’ll be an important manga in the middle zone (with potential Top 5 depending on the quality of the week’s chapter).
In second place, we had ONE PIECE, which is still developing the beginning of the Elbaf arc, which might be the series’ last adventure (as the upcoming arcs are expected to be more serious and less adventurous). ONE PIECE will continue being the main pillar of the magazine for the next five years, but the editors aren’t relying solely on it to ensure market leadership. They’re clearly betting on Ao no Hako, Sakamoto Days, and Kagurabachi as the main names for the post-Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia era. It’s no coincidence that we had this sequence of covers: Ao no Hako – One Piece – Kagurabachi – Sakamoto Days. These are the current BIG 4.
In third place, we had Ao no Hako (Blue Box), which got a 46k copy boost (average of 2.9k per volume). To truly become a pillar, the series needs to triple its current sales. So, the boost will need to be higher than 46k copies, but it’s normal for a manga to start with a smaller boost and grow over the season. The trend is for Ao no Hako to get an even bigger boost in the coming weeks. We can’t say Shonen Jump will be unhappy with the money Ao no Hako will bring in.
In fourth place, we had Sakamoto Days, which will get the cover next week to celebrate its anniversary. I believe the series got it before Yozakura-san for two reasons: Yozakura-san will probably get its cover in issue 48 or 49, one chapter before it ends. Also, giving it an early cover creates more distance between it and the next one (which could be a Lead Color Page) when the anime premieres in January. Along with the anniversary celebration of Sakamoto Days, we’ll see the start of another popularity contest, a cast reveal, and the announcement of special projects.
In fifth place, we had WITCH WATCH, which actually landed in a middle zone spot, given that there are 100 pages between Sakamoto Days and WITCH WATCH. Either way, the series is awaiting its anime debut and should get more promotion when it airs in April. Remember, the adaptation will be handled by Bibury Animation Studios, known for season two of The Quintessential Quintuplets and the first season of 100 Girlfriends. You could say they’re a studio used to dealing with love.
In sixth place, we had Undead Unluck, which made a big jump but still hasn’t received a color page. The series’ situation remains the same as explained last week: It’s safe for the next round, but it could end anywhere between 18, 27, or 36 chapters, meaning between February and August next year. I don’t think it’ll reach 2026, as many readers predicted. It seems the editors aren’t willing to heavily promote the series, but I still believe we’ll see Undead Unluck get its anniversary cover in February.
In seventh place, we had Boku to Roboco, which has varied in position a bit over the last three issues, going from the Top 5 to the middle zone, indicating a reduction in promotion. Remember, the TOC isn’t the direct result of votes from seven weeks ago. It’s an editorial ranking made by the Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor, taking into account the votes, the quality of the week’s chapter, the series’ overall popularity, and the need for promotion to ensure the best reading experience. Boku to Roboco, as one of the few comedies, has the important role of bringing humor and lightness to the readers.
In eighth place, we had Exorcist no Kiyoshi-kun, which managed to climb out of the Bottom 5, giving it some breathing room. The series isn’t at risk of cancellation in the next round, as Yozakura-san will end, and perhaps Murakami will be axed. However, Exorcist no Kiyoshi-kun needs to sell well with its first volume and continue performing convincingly to survive the February-March round. We’ll find out Exorcist-kun’s true fate in early November with the release of the first volume. For now, the chances of cancellation are high, but it’s not a certainty yet.
In ninth place, we had Himaten, which entered the Bottom for the first time. Does that mean it’s getting axed? Whoa, whoa, hold on, it’s just a normal fluctuation that happens in the magazine for several reasons: chapter quality, editorial decisions to promote another series, a momentary drop in votes, or an attempt to balance the magazine. There are many reasons why a middle-tier series can end up in the Bottom 5. We’ll know Himaten‘s true popularity also in November when it releases its first volume.
In tenth place, we had Negai no Astro (Astro Royale), which didn’t start selling very well. Its second volume seems to be selling less than Undead Unluck, which indicates a drop in sales. This doesn’t mean it’ll be axed, but it puts the series in a tough spot. To survive, it needs to stabilize or increase sales and votes in the TOC, and the editors must not find too many new hits. The manga is safe for the next round, but its situation for 2025 is still up in the air.
In eleventh place, we had Kill Ao (Kill Blue), which, while having stable sales, isn’t safe for 2025 (only for the next round). The manga needs strong internal votes to justify staying. If the editors find more popular series, Kill Ao could be axed. Negai no Astro, Choujun! Choujou-Senpai, and Kill Ao are all at risk for 2025, depending on how the year unfolds.
In twelfth place, we had Yozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen, which announced its second anime season, and the editors gave it a “gift” with the penultimate spot. The second season should adapt all the pre-timeskip content, with a third season needed to conclude the series. Yozakura-san‘s renewal is about profitability and function: it’s a cheap anime suitable for all ages. Meanwhile, Undead Unluck is more expensive and aimed at an audience already saturated with adaptations, which is why Yozakura-san got a Season 2 immediately and Undead Undead is still waiting.
In last place, we had Nue no Onmyouji, which got the final spot due to the rotation Saito is implementing. It’s not at risk of cancellation in the next round. The one at risk is Youkai Buster Murakami, which has had a terrible reception and still hasn’t received a color page. The question is whether the editors will wait for the series to complete four volumes or axe it alongside Yozakura-san‘s conclusion. We’ll find out in November or December. Unfortunately, I like a good comedy, but Murakami‘s cancellation seems certain; it’s just a matter of when.
