Summary
When compared to similar media – like superhero comics –shōnen mangais infamous for being extremely long. Some of the most popular series in this genre have gone on for over 10 years or more. Reading shōnen manga often requires a huge time investment, and that’s what makes this genre so alluring to most readers.
However, everything good must come to an end, and shōnen is no exception. Currently, there are several shōnen manga in serialization that began many years ago and are really close to reaching their climactic conclusion. So these are some recommendations of solid stories that fans of the genre will want to catch up on before they end.
8Kaiju No. 8
A Shōnen Manga For A New Generation
Written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto,Kaiju No. 8is a fairly recent addition to the genre, and it will even get an animated adaptation by Production I.G.very soon. However, the manga already has over 100 chapters – which is more than some other series ever got - and it’s currently in a very important arc that will change the story forever.
Kaiju No. 8isa perfect series for fans ofGodzillaand other Kaiju properties, since it features incredible & dynamic battles against giant monsters. It’s a fun action manga, but it also has a lot of heart, thanks to its charismatic cast of characters. This is a series most readers will want to catch up on before the anime airs because it’s on its way to becoming the next big thing.
7One Punch Man
A Clever Parody Of The Genre
When the first season of theOne Punch Mananime aired in 2015, this series became a worldwide phenomenon. But, after the disappointing second season and with no news of a third in many years, anime audiences would be forgiven for moving past this franchise. This is a shame because the manga is still going strong.
Made by the talented Yusuke Murata, and based on the webcomic by One, the mind-blowing art of the manga is enough for people to check it out. However, the funny characters and hilarioussatire of the shōnen and superhero genresalso make the experience worth it. With over 200 chapters,One Punch Manis currently reaching some of the most crucial arcs in the story, and it’ll probably take a while until they’re animated. This makes the manga the best way to experience it right now.
One-Punch Mantends to be described as both seinen and shonen.
6Chainsaw Man
A Dark & Emotional Story
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s masterpiece, known asChainsaw Man,is yet another fantastic series that most people will leave behind because of how much time it’s going to take for the anime to catch up to the manga. However, the original comic is a masterpiece that should be checked out on its own.
While Part 1 ofChainsaw Manhas finished, Part 2 is currently being released, and it has already reached sometruly shocking and emotional points.Asa and Denji’s story is very dark but also extremely engaging. It’s currently unknown how many chapters Part 2 will have, but it’s something that fans of the anime will want to catch up with before it reaches its inevitably heartbreaking conclusion.
5Black Clover
The Best New Fantasy Manga
There are two series that defined the new era of shōnen manga, and one of them is definitelyBlack Clover. Yuki Tabata’sfantasy story has resonated with manga readers all over the world, thanks to itsclever magic system, amazing action scenes, and inspiring characters.
TheBlack Clovermanga has recently been relocated from Weekly Shōnen Jump to Jump GIGA, mainly because of concerns regarding its author’s health. This means it’ll take him some time to finish the story, but fans feel it’s slowly reaching its climactic conclusion. This means it’s a solid alternative for those who are worried that the shōnen manga will be quickly finalized before they can catch up.
4Hunter x Hunter
A Long-Running Adventure
The story ofHunter x Hunteris quite tragic. It has been serialized inWeekly Shōnen Jump since 1998, but health issues that have been affecting its author Yoshihiro Togashihave prevented him from releasing chapters more regularly. He’s not even sure if he’ll get to finish the series himself, to the point that he has evenrevealed some of the endings he has planned.
Most people will be aware ofHunter x Hunterthanks to the most recent anime by Madhouse, but the story doesn’t end there. The manga has advanced through new story arcs, including the exploration of the mysteriousDark Continent that was set up at the end of the anime, not to mention that characters like Kurapika or Leoriohave gone back to the spotlight.
3Jujutsu Kaisen
An Engaging Story About Sorcerers
There’s no denying thatJujutsu Kaisenis currentlythe biggest shōnen manga in the entire industry,mostly thanks to the incredible animated adaptation by MAPPA. But the original manga by Gege Akutami is also excellent and, to the surprise of most fans, it’s actually really close to reaching its conclusion, according to the author.
The current arc of theJujutsu Kaisenmanga has become viral among readers on the internet because of how many twists & turns it has presented. It already feels like the ending is just around the corner, so it’s a good time to catch up. On top of that, it has also featured some of the best fights in the series, which should entice potential new readers even more.
2My Hero Academia
The Quintessential Superhero Manga
My Hero Academiais the other shōnen manga that defined the new era of this genre, alongsideBlack Clover. Made by Kohei Horikoshi, this series began around the time that superhero movies were becoming extremely popular all around the world, so the timing was perfect. It even got an amazing animated adaptation by Bones.
The manga has already entered its final arc, which features beloved heroes & villains from all over the series facing each other in amazing climactic battles. Yet Kohei Horikoshi’s many health issues have forced him to delay the ending over and over. However, the final battle has already begun,soMy Hero Academiawill most likely end in just a few months. Because of that, now is the perfect time to catch up with this heroic story.
1One Piece
An Ending That Will Change The World
One Pieceis infamous for being in serialization for over 25 years, and it still hasn’t reached its conclusion. This makes sense, because this is a huge story with many plot points to resolve and characters to develop, so author Eiichiro Odahas carefully taken his time writing many adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hat Pirates.
The ending ofOne Pieceis near, as it was already confirmed that the Final Saga has begun with the new Egghead Arc. Considering that the entire premise of this manga revolves around what the “One Piece” is, coupled with the fact it has been going on for so long, this is an ending that will impact the industry forever. This means that now is the best time to start readingOne Piecefor those that have yet to experience this amazing pirate story, and want to be part of its world-changing resolution.
