I’m heading into this edition of the JUMP-IN with a series of chapters that really surprised me, for better and for worse. After last week's collection made me question my rankings a multitude of times, I find myself with one of the easiest judging sessions so far.
For one, the magazine takes a hit with no new chapter of Ayashimon this week, as we still await the next big fight for Maruo. This isn’t the fault of author Yuji Kaku, as they were recently dealing with COVID, but I would be lying if it didn't affect my enjoyment knowing one of my new favorite series was missing from the lineup.
I also found one of the weaker chapters I read this week frustrating to get through. Witch Watch decided to focus an entire chapter on Moi’s hobby surrounding blue jeans that, while funny at times, just felt like reading a wall of text. It is really cool to see how mangaka tackle various niche hobbies, some of the most entertaining manga I’ve read do so, but when you condense that into a single chapter it can just be a little much for me. The fact that it basically acted as an ad for Levi’s, with Moi wearing a pair of their vintage jeans and a brand appropriate t-shirt, made me feel like it was a brand deal Shueisha made.
My Hero Academia and Undead Unluck also suffered this week, as they brought chapters that were either uninteresting or lacking in real story progression. With the case of MHA, almost half of the chapter was devoted for exposition to explain how the heroes tricked All For One, and the other half had minimal development other than breaking characters up for future fights. As for Undead Unluck, we get a grasp on what The Union has been doing to delay Ragnarok, but it is solely there to bridge the story leading up to the big fight between Andy and UnRuin.
Both focused more on expositing information to answer lingering questions from previous chapters or to establish the current state of the characters than trying to be engaging reads. Most long running series do this, and in hindsight they play an important role in building an arc’s narrative and will work better reading it in its entirety. That said, on a week to week basis, it just isn’t satisfying enough to keep these two anywhere near the top five.
Speaking of which, the chapters within that ranking are some of the most action packed, emotionally gripping, and beautifully drawn I have seen these creators present. As much as I found other chapters not as compelling to write about, these five showed me why these stories are within the legendary Weekly Shonen Jump.
The most surprising thing, however, is that they might have been outdone by a series making its debut…
(NEW SERIES) Earthchild Proved Me Wrong In All the Right Ways (Earthchild Ch. 1)
Earthchild has had, in my opinion, one of the strongest opening chapters I have read in ages, with a mostly self-contained narrative that had me captivated with its compelling premise. The chapter focuses on Reisuke Sawada and his chance encounter with Kareri Hoshifuri, a young woman with powerful telekinetic powers who acts to protect the Earth from all manner of threats. What follows is the pair's journey in life as they continually meet, despite Kareri erasing Reisuke’s memory, and how they’re relationship grows because of a mutual attraction.
For those who haven’t heard of series creator Hideo Shinkai, he got his start in the industry as an assistant to Hirohiko Araki, the creator of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. He went on to create multiple one-shots as well as having three different series published in Shonen Jump and Saikyo Jump, including his longest running series SOUL CATCHER(S) lasting for over two years.
I only bring this up because I can see that kind of experience here in this series, both in the narrative and in the stunning artwork. This first chapter almost feels like a one-shot story turned into a first chapter, given Reisuke and Kareri’s relationship is explored from its charming beginning to it’s tragic end, but it still leads into the future potential of their child at stake in Reisuke's hands.
Last week I was pretty harsh on Akane-banashi for having a chapter with a similar approach. Whereas that chapter felt like it was diverting focus from its series’ lead, however, Earthchild keeps the focus squarely on Seisuke and Kareri’s perspectives. I never felt like I was being told the backstory of a main character lacking agency, but instead a compelling narrative of a relationship’s and how it will impact the main character down the line. It is a huge risk to tell such a self-contained story with only two characters in the entire chapter, but Shinkai pulled out all the stops to make their story as fleshed out and emotionally gripping as possible.
This is carried by Shinkai's incredible facial expressions, bringing Reisuke and Kareri to life in a way that makes them both believable and immensely likable. From literally seeing a beautiful image of the Earth within Kareri’s eyes, to seeing the multitude of emotions on display that accompany the highs and lows of their relationship. It’s similar to how Araki makes the most gripping and dynamic scenes in Jojo’s with his character reactions, only with less bombastic energy and more of a romantic and dramatic approach.
I decided last week that I wouldn’t rank the first chapters of new series, as they usually aren’t indicative of how a series will turn out, but this was a spectacular start. If I can recommend any chapter you read this week, it has to be Earthchild, no matter how wary you might be to start a new series. I wait with anticipation and high expectations for next week's chapter.
5. Blue Box Brings an Emotional Match to a Strong Conclusion
(Blue Box Ch. 41)
This was probably the only difficult choice I had to make this week, between both Blue Box and PPPPPP, but it was the former that edged out in the end for me. We see the end of Haryu’s intense matchup with longtime rival Hyodo, as well as his frustration fueling his desire to improve.
I didn’t get to talk about it last week, but this match highlighted Miura’s amazing understanding of drawing sports action more than any other match in the series. The sweat coming off the player’s faces, the creases in their jerseys matching their movements, all leading to the final shot of Haryu being hit with the shuttlecock as if time has frozen on him. The sports moments in this series have usually taken a back seat to presenting heart pounding romance, but this was a great way for Miura to show his range as an artist.
That isn’t to say we missed out on the romance though, as we also saw the conclusion of Taiki’s conversation with Karen. The fact that she calls Taiki out for overthinking his approach with confessing his feelings to Chinatsu is a great new perspective for our love sick protagonist. It also acts as a connection to why Haryu lost the match, as he was overthinking on how to make his comeback, and is a great way to parallel both stories. It also didn’t hurt that she calls out Taiki for being a creep with how he lives with Chinatsu while not confessing, making for a nice bit of comedy tying into his teenage insecurity.
I would say the only thing that keeps the chapter from ranking any higher is that the top four series had more going on both narratively and artistically. I only hope next week we finally see Chinatsu having to manage her developing feelings for Taiki while trying to go through own road to the national basketball championship. Until then, this was another great chapter in this delightful romance.
4. Mission: Yozakura Family Starts Kyoichiro’s Epic Struggle
(Mission: Yozakura Family Ch. 118)
Continuing from last week, we have Mission: Yozakura Family in the top five again this week, as we see the big fight between eldest son and his villainous father in an epic fashion.
I wanna start this off by actually commending Hitsuji Gondaira for doing the impossible. He not only developed Kyoichiro into a great character, one who deeply cares for his family, but he actually made me like a character with a sister-complex. It’s one of those tropes within manga and anime that I can’t stand and yet he somehow managed to make him more likable as the series goes on.
When the series initially debuted, I outright could not stand his obsession with Mutsumi and his desire to kill Taiyo, and I was worried he would make a frustrating main antagonist. As time has gone on, however, he’s developed into a great mentor figure for Taiyo in the world of spies. Even though he still obsesses over Mutsumi, it has been toned down significantly, and his love for all of his siblings has been emphasized to make him a great big brother.
Now we find him confronting their father, surrounded by the former heads of the Yozakura, and set to have what could be the biggest fight in the series to date. I will also say that, even without knowing their powers or personalities, the former heads of the family have some amazing designs that make them all stand out. Gondaira also made the one on one between Kyoichiro and Momo a feast visually, even though it was shorter than I would like.
As Kyoichiro prepares to fight for his life and his family, I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat.
3. Jujutsu Kaisen Shows-off Its Spectacular Action
(Jujutsu Kaisen Ch. 175)
I always have mixed feelings when I read Jujutsu Kaisen lately. I find myself wanting greater story development and instead we are constantly introduced to new characters and antagonists for setups for fights. In this case, however, I learned to shut up and accept the fact that Gege Akutani has created some of the best shonen battle material of the last decade.
In this case in particular we see Yuta Okkotsu taking on one of the gnarliest cursed spirits I’ve seen the series present yet. Kurourushi is a cockroach spirit, and in turn has unsettled me to my core with anthropomorphized body proportions mixed with his incredibly detailed insectoid facial structure. Taking such a small creature, one so reviled in Japan that it's usually censored, and blowing it up in size is such a simple yet incredibly effective design approach.
Then you throw in one of the biggest strengths that Akutani has as a draftsperson, that being his layouts and panel composition for fight sequences. A major chunk of the chapter is spent on this fight specifically and it somehow manages to be easy to follow and insanely fun to watch. Aspects of the fight, like Yuta pushing Kurourushi back with a shoulder thrust, leap up onto a nearby highway bridge, and then throw a piece of metal railing into the big bug happen in the span of two pages. Even with that small amount of page space he makes every part of the sequence flow well by making sure the readers follow the line of action and has proper setups in each succeeding panel.
While this is not a story rich section, with this chapter being particularly light on story material, I can't imagine a better spot for it. The action in this series is a big reason why it was able to receive such critical and fan acclaim. If you haven’t already caught up to this arc or are an anime only watcher, I say you have to catch up and read some of the most compelling action in Weekly Shonen Jump.
2. MASHLE’s Exponential Fisticuffs Sets New Standard In Intensity
(MASHLE: Magic and Muscles Ch. 97)
There’s not time to slow down this week, as MASHLE finds its way back into the #2 slot, and this one is a doozy. Last week the series lost points for me because it decided to have a more comedic form of action to accompany Mash’s transformation. The series is known for this, and it is a great source of comedy, but I guess I was expecting a more impactful fight scene to accompany such a monumental moment.
Now, as if Hajime Komoto read my mind, this chapter delivers that action and then some in the form of Mash’s Unlimited Biceps Magic. As he begins throwing punches, they continue to be squared at a continued level of intensity, with each attack taking a greater amount of page space with visceral impact shots and an insane amount of sound effects. It almost acts like a modern take on the classic multi-page barrages by the likes of Jotaro and Giorno in Jojo’s, although a bit more spread out to give more time for the narrative to be told.
Seeing Mash challenging his brother’s perception of familial love with his owning loving background and also reprimanding him for essentially throwing a tantrum is priceless. Komoto presents a chapter that feels not only in line with Mash’s deadpan humor, but also his incredible presence both as a fighter and as a positive influence in a world that disowns him.
I think that's why I gave it the #2 spot instead of Jujutsu Kaisen. While Akutani’s fight this week was beautifully composed, Komoto found a great way to balance the action with strong character writing that fit his narrative. A good fight keeps your focus on the action and artwork, but a great fight in my eyes balances that with the narrative that drives the conflict.
Everything in this chapter feels like Komoto is giving his absolute all. The comedy is on point, the characterization is strong, and he presents some of the most intense action I have seen not only in MASHLE, but of any series in Jump recently. As this fight reaches its conclusion, I can only hope that he can stick the landing.
1. Dr. STONE Presents Senku’s, and Humanities, Final Gambit
(Dr. STONE Ch. 230)
Here we are again in the world of Dr. STONE, this time with Senku’s negotiations with Why-Man reaching a fever pitch. Having discovered that the hive mind of Medusa devices had intended to have humanity to create more of them to expand and maintain their existence, we see how they deemed humanity insufficient to achieve that goal.
We are presented with more flashbacks, but unlike the previous chapter we are given a greater idea of humankind’s perspective on the proceedings. The tension ramps up even further as Senku offers to negotiate privately, as all of humanity watches in disbelief.
What follows is some of the best artwork Boichi has ever done and that is saying something. The fear and tension as the ground team reacts to Senku’s plan and then the machines swirling around him is absolutely stunning. The best part, however, is actually how Senku himself is drawn within this section. Boici’s intricately detailed expression work is on full display, as Senku has panels of somber contemplation and dynamic resolve once he makes his decision. Paired with Riichiro Inagaki’s writing this week, once again realizing the character in a spectacular way, and it makes for another great moment for everybody’s favorite pragmatic genius.
It's this kind of work that made me love the character as he became the focus of the series, and highlights how the series has thrived for so long. Dr. STONE’s writing and use of the war of words have at times proven to be more compelling than the most intense multi-chapter long super powered clashes. Even with incredible action efforts from Akutani and Komoto this week, Inagaki and Boiichi provided a chapter that provided a fulfilling background on our antagonist while setting up a compelling last stand for our hero.
Knowing that this is not only the climax of this clash of man and machine, but also the end of one of the most unique stories in all of Jump’s history, all I can say is that the universe better get excited for its conclusion.
And with that we wrap on another week of the best from Weekly Shonen Jump. Despite my problems with some of the various series’ efforts, I still found myself with a great collection of chapters and a standout debut. Seeing new series entering the magazine is always an exciting time, and I always find myself grabbing onto series that add to my weekly ritual in fulfilling ways. That said, I do hope we do take a little break on the new release schedule so I can get to focusing on more on the actual top five.
In the meantime, here are this week's rankings. Since I now am reading more than fifteen series each week, I will also now listing certain series I feel that didn't earn a spot top 15 in a unranked list like you will see this week. This also includes series I normally cover taking breaks for the week, as well as the previously mentioned debuts.
I hope you enjoyed this weeks JUMP-IN and I will see again next week for more Jump goodness!
| 6. PPPPPP (Ch. 21) | 11. Undead Unluck (Ch. 99) |
2. MASHLE: Magic and Muscles (Ch. 97) | 7. Doron Dororon (Ch. 11) | 12. Protect Me, Shugomaru! (Ch. 12) |
3. Jujutsu Kaisen (Ch. 175) | 8. Sakamoto Days (Ch. 59) | 13. Akane-Banashi (Ch. 2) |
4. Mission: Yozakura Family (Ch. 118) | 9. The Elusive Samurai (Ch. 51) | 14. Witch Watch (Ch. 50) |
5. Blue Box (Ch. 41)
| 10. My Hero Academia (Ch. 344) | |
Unranked: Ayashimon (No chapter), Earthchild (Ch.1)