2023 is shaping up to be another fantastic year for the manga community. Already, multiple authors have announced that their series are in their final arcs, which means fans can expect to see a lot of action and drama.
While some manga might be coming to an end, there are others that are just getting started with their stories. Due to the huge number of manga available, it is impossible to go through them all. So, to make things easier, this list will cover all the shonen manga that fans should focus on.
7 Jujutsu Kaisen
Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen has quickly blossomed into one of the biggest shonen series. Like any manga, the anime adaptation of the series helped to make it mainstream. The popularity of the series is reflected in the manga sales.
During the Jump Festa '23, Akutami revealed that he would like to finish the manga within a year. Obviously, this means that Akutami will bring out all the big guns to ensure that the series ends on a high note. Fans who have been following the manga for a while will finally be able to witness the story reach its conclusion. The story of Jujutsu Kaisen is set in Tokyo, Japan, where curses wreak havoc. Itadori Yuuji is unaware of these curses, but a meeting with a sorcerer changes his whole life.
6 My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia has been written by Kohei Horikoshi, and it has been a part of the Weekly Shonen Jump lineup since 2014. Over the years, its reputation has increased a lot. My Hero Academia has inspired several movies, video games, and multiple seasons of anime. The series follows a young boy, Midoriya Izuku, who hopes of becoming the No. 1 hero. However, his path to his goal is blocked by a massive obstacle.
Kohei Horikoshi's most recent comments imply that drawing the manga continuously for such a long time is finally catching up to him. The manga itself is in the Final War arc, and it will continue into 2023. So, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the My Hero Academia manga.
5 One Piece
One Piece fans enjoyed a fantastic 2022. There was a lot for the fans to enjoy. The high quality of the animation for the Wano Country arc meant that every episode was outstanding. 2022 also saw the release of One Piece Film: Red, which managed to become one of the highest-grossing anime movies of all time.
According to Eiichiro Oda, the One Piece manga has entered its final saga. Oda has already started working on the first arc in the final saga, and so far, every chapter has been amazing. It is plausible to assume that the rest of the arcs in the final saga will be just as good, if not better. One Piece is an action, adventure series that covers Luffy's journey to becoming the Pirate King.
4 Spy x Family
Spy x Family has been a revelation for both manga and anime fans. The manga has been written by Tatsuya Endo, who started writing the manga in 2019. The manga received an anime adaptation in 2022, and it was divided into two cours.
Needless to say, the first season was a huge hit within the anime community, with many viewers calling it the "Anime of the Year." On the other hand, the manga's fame is reaching new heights in terms of fame. 2023 will be a big year for the manga, so it is a good idea to start reading it right away. Spy x Family delves into the life of Twilight, who is considered the best spy in the world. After being assigned a new mission, Twilight must gather a fake family to save the world.
3 Blue Lock
Blue Lock's impact on the manga community cannot be overlooked. It is one of the few soccer manga that has a gripping plot and a good cast of characters. Every volume of Blue Lock has put up good numbers, which helped it become one of the best-selling manga of 2022.
Blue Lock has been written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro. Manga readers who like soccer will definitely enjoy reading Blue Lock. The series has already received an anime adaptation, with the first cour ending in December 2022. The manga follows the story of Isagi Yoichi as he tries to make a name for himself in the world of soccer.
2 Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 8 is written by Naoya Matsumoto. The manga started serialization on Shonen Jump+ in 2020. Kaiju No. 8 is perfect for readers who enjoy science with a bit of fantasy thrown in. Kaiju No. 8 has a great story that has mesmerized fans. The manga has a solid fanbase that is eagerly awaiting the release of the anime adaptation, which is set to premiere in 2024.
With the manga entering a new year of serialization, fans expect Matsumoto to take things up a notch. The manga is set in Japan, where monsters known as kaiju continuously attack and kill people. To combat the threat of the kaiju, a special force is formed.
1 Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter has the notorious reputation of being on hiatus for long periods of time. However, no one can deny the quality effort that Yoshihiro Togashi has put into the series. Hunter x Hunter returned in 2022 after a four-year hiatus.
Not long after, it was confirmed that the series would no longer follow a weekly release schedule. At the moment, the details are unclear, but it is possible that the manga will return in 2023. If that's the case, then there is every reason for fans to be excited. Hunter x Hunter follows the story of Gon as he sets out to find his father.