Shonen's Next Big Spell? 'Ichi the Witch' Casts a Dragon Ball-esque Charm
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A mysterious new shonen manga, *Ichi the Witch*, has just nabbed a major award, sparking chatter that it could be the next big thing, blending classic *Dragon Ball*-esque charm with fresh comedic chaos and a unique feral protagonist. Looks like *Weekly Shonen Jump* might have found its next spellbinding champion.
Right then, gather 'round, mates. You know that familiar feeling, don't you? The one where a beloved game series wraps up, or a major season ends, and you’re left with that gnawing void, wondering what the bloody hell is going to fill those pixelated shoes? Well, the manga world's been having a bit of a moment like that lately, with some of its absolute titans, *My Hero Academia* and *Jujutsu Kaisen*, signing off. And let me tell ya, the chatter has been louder than a rogue fireball in a library.
Suddenly, *Weekly Shonen Jump*, the venerable institution that's given us everything from *Dragon Ball* to *One Piece*, is feeling the pressure. Everyone's casting around, trying to divine the digital tea leaves to see what's next, what’s going to hold up that unshakable pillar (which, let's be fair, *is* *One Piece*). And just when you thought it was all just going to be endless re-reads and fan theories, a new contender has burst onto the scene, looking suspiciously like the hero we've all been magically manifesting: an award-winning new series called *Ichi the Witch*.
Now, I'm naturally a bit skeptical of anything that gets labelled 'the next big thing' right out of the gate. It often feels like corporate PR trying to summon hype where there's just a puff of smoke. But *Ichi the Witch* isn't just shouting from the rooftops; it’s got some serious backing, having just snagged the first prize in the Print category of the Next Manga Award 2025. This isn't just some participation trophy, mind you. The Next Manga Award, run by Kadokawa Corporation's *Da Vinci* magazine and Niconico, has a pretty solid track record of spotting future giants. Think of it as a scout report from the future, highlighting new series with fewer than five volumes already making serious waves. Past winners? Only little titles like *My Hero Academia* (2015), *Kaguya-sama: Love Is War* (2017), *Spy x Family* (2019), and *Oshi no Ko* (2021). So, yeah, when *Ichi the Witch* took home the gold, beating out *COSMOS* and *Super Psychic Policeman Chojo*, it definitely turned my head.
What’s got everyone buzzing, and why should you, a discerning gamer who appreciates good storytelling, care? Well, for starters, it’s being pitched as a perfect fit for fans of the legendary late Akira Toriyama, the wizard behind *Dragon Ball* and *Dr. Slump*. That’s a bold claim, a bit like saying a new indie RPG is the next *Final Fantasy VII*. But stick with me, because there might be some real magic to this comparison.
First, let's talk about the creators. *Ichi the Witch* comes from an all-women mangaka team: writer Osamu Nishi (known for *Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun*) and artist Shiro Usazaki (*Act-Age*). This isn’t their first rodeo, and it shows. The series doesn't feel like a shaky debut; it’s got a confidence and direction that suggests two seasoned pros know exactly where they’re going and how to hook readers week after week. That kind of maturity in storytelling, right from the jump, is rarer than a perfectly balanced loot drop.
So, what's the actual setup? We're talking dark fantasy, action, comedy, all wrapped up in a delicate yet detailed art style. Our titular protagonist, Ichi, is a feral boy living alone in a fantastical, magic-infused world. This world is home to magical beings called Majiks, which can be captured and tamed for their powers. The catch? Only women are believed to have the capacity for this. Enter Ichi, who, in a classic shonen power-up moment, somehow manages to subdue the extremely powerful Majik, Uroro. This lands him a forced recruitment into the witch Desscaras's association, making him, you guessed it, the very first male witch. Talk about breaking the meta!
Ichi immediately stands out as the archetypal 'odd protagonist.' Imagine your character class is 'Feral Hunter' in a world of 'Spellcasters,' trying to integrate. His hunting instincts are so sharp that even terrifying magical creatures are compelled to fear him. The comedy practically writes itself as this wild boy gets introduced to the sophisticated world of witches, creating endless opportunities for gags and fish-out-of-water scenarios. It reminds me a bit of some of the earlier *Dragon Ball* antics, where the absurdity and humor were just as important as the epic fights.
And speaking of fights, the action isn't just for show. As Ichi acquires more Majik powers, he ingeniously integrates them into his raw hunting technique. There's also a world-ending threat – a 'World-Hater Majik' – because what's a good shonen without stakes higher than a dragon's hoard? But what’s quite refreshing, especially compared to the often grim or hyper-serious modern shonen, is the sheer amount of levity. Characters goof around mid-action, personalities clash in hilarious ways, and the manga actually gives space for genuine comedic relief. Plus, it delves into character feelings and builds a classic 'found family' dynamic, with Desscaras playing the reluctant but loving 'mum' figure. It’s a trope, sure, but sometimes a classic spell cast well is better than a botched innovation.
This isn't a series trying to reinvent the shonen wheel, and frankly, that might be its biggest strength. Instead, it seems to be looking at the classics, both old and new, and adding just enough fresh ingredients to make it genuinely original and engaging. The world is whimsical and light-hearted, a welcome departure from the brooding darkness that permeates a fair few contemporary series. The relationships aren't needlessly complex, but they're developed meaningfully, which, for a gamer, is like finding a story arc that actually pays off without needing three wiki pages to understand.
If old Toriyama-sensei were still around, I reckon he'd get a proper kick out of *Ichi the Witch*. Think about it: his post-*Dragon Ball* works like *Sand Land* and *Kajika* often had that distinctive fantasy feeling, and he even designed characters for classic JRPGs like *Chrono Trigger* and *Dragon Quest*. And let's not forget the man's mastery of comedy; *Dr. Slump* is pure genius, and early *Dragon Ball* was packed with genuine laughs. *Ichi the Witch* seems to strike that same brilliant balance between thrilling action and genuine humor, a storytelling craft that resonated with generations of fans because it tapped into something simple, powerful, and deeply emotional.
Artist Shiro Usazaki, rightfully praised for her work on *Act-Age*, also brings a phenomenal touch. Her style is delicate but incredibly detailed, bringing the whimsical world and dazzling witch uniforms vividly to life. It's the kind of art that makes you want to pause and absorb every panel, much like appreciating the intricate design of a new game world.
*Dragon Ball* passed its torch to a new generation with *One Piece*, *Bleach*, and *Naruto*. Then came the likes of *Demon Slayer*, *My Hero Academia*, and *Jujutsu Kaisen*. Now, as some of those incredible journeys conclude, *Weekly Shonen Jump* needs its next champion. From where I'm sitting, with a healthy dose of optimism (and just a touch of skepticism, because that's just my nature), *Ichi the Witch* looks like it's got the right blend of classic charm, fresh perspective, and genuine magic to step up to the plate. After all, even Eiichiro Oda will have to rest his pen at some point, right? Or so I reckon.
Tags: Manga, Shonen, Fantasy, Akira Toriyama, New Release
Original article: Polygon