10 Best Underrated Shonen Jump Series You Should Check Out

Weekly Shonen Jump, a highly popular and top-selling magazine published by Shueisha, made its debut in 1968 and has since serialized numerous series. Household names like Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach, which even inspired anime versions, are just some of the iconic series it’s known for. More recent hits such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer, and My Hero Academia have also gained significant popularity, reinforcing Weekly Shonen Jump’s significance in the anime and manga world. The magazine is renowned for its compelling narratives, innovative ideas, and captivating characters.

Although many shows in the WSJ lack the impact of their more successful counterparts, they’re still worthy competitors. This might be due to insufficient marketing or unfortunate timing, resulting in them not reaching the audience they truly deserve. Some series don’t even make it past a few episodes, while others manage to maintain small but devoted fanbases. If you’re interested in discovering what else the magazine has to offer beyond the well-known hits, then this list is tailored for you.

1) RuriDragon

Due to numerous pauses in its release since 2022, the manga RuriDragon currently consists of just 34 chapters and three volumes. This could be one reason it hasn’t gained more recognition, but the engaging storyline makes the wait a rewarding experience. In an ordinary day at school, Ruri Aoki discovers horns growing on her head, which she later learns is because her father is a dragon. Despite this shocking revelation, Ruri still needs to get ready and make it to school on time.

She muses about whether dragons truly exist, viewing them as mere legends. Despite the unexpected turn of events, she endeavors to carry on with her everyday routine, yet finds herself swamped by the attention she receives at school. The narrative unfolds as she grapples with defining her own identity and uncovers latent abilities while attempting to maintain a semblance of normality amidst the turmoil.

2) Akane-Banashi

The narrative in “Akane-banashi” revolves around an obscure traditional Japanese storytelling technique known as Rakugo, which is not widely recognized beyond Japan’s borders. Despite a recent surge of devoted fans, it hasn’t been able to match the international popularity of mainstream Weekly Shonen Jump series. However, its status remains that of a cherished, underappreciated treasure. The storyline centers around Akane Osaki, a high school student who aspires to master Rakugo. Her ambition is fueled not only by her passion but also by the desire to uncover the reasons behind her father’s dismissal from this art form years ago.

In the world of traditional Japanese storytelling known as rakugo, Akane’s talented father, Shinta Arakawa, was unjustly dismissed by his stern mentor, Issho Arakawa, just shy of achieving the highly esteemed shin’uchi rank. To add insult to injury, no clear reason was ever provided for this dismissal, effectively ending his career. Driven by her father’s talent and the desire to challenge the male-dominated rakugo community, Akane sets out on a mission to master the art herself.

3) Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi

Titled “Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi“, this manga was created by Shoichi Usui, an ex-assistant of Eiichiro Oda, and it offers an unexpected blend of humor within a universe where demons intrude on the human realm. The narrative centers around Kiyoshi Harai, a 16-year-old prodigy who holds the distinction of being the youngest graduate from the Exorcist Academy. Renowned as the most powerful exorcist in history, Kiyoshi harbors a significant secret behind his extraordinary abilities.

Ever since the fateful day when demons claimed the lives of his parents, Kiyoshi has been plagued by a deep-seated fear. Yet, instead of letting this trauma consume him, he turns it into a force for good. Armed with his unique abilities, Kiyoshi dedicates himself to banishing demons, aiming to safeguard others from the same fate that befell his family. His journeys are riddled with danger and high-stakes encounters, but they’re not without their amusing moments.

4) Shinobi Undercover

In the realm of 2024’s outstanding new series published in Weekly Shonen Jump, the captivating “Shinobi Undercover” continues to fly under the radar. This remarkable action-comedy manga, with its intriguing blend of ninja action and a socially awkward protagonist grappling with adapting to everyday life, is often overlooked. Set in contemporary Japan, there exists a secret team of highly skilled intelligence operatives, known as the Ninja Public Safety Force. These individuals, equipped with special abilities called ninjutsu, operate covertly to protect the country from any threats to its peace.

In this tale, we meet Yadoka, a youthful ninja prodigy, who possesses extraordinary abilities but struggles in social situations. His latest assignment requires him to disguise himself as a bodyguard and blend into high school life. His goal: safeguard Aoi Mukai, the sole inheritor of an enormous fortune, making her a magnet for dangerous organizations. As events unfold, he develops alliances with unlikely partners, gradually adapting to his everyday civilian existence while shielding Aoi from danger beneath this ordinary facade.

5) Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan

Despite having been concluded over a decade ago and receiving an anime adaptation, this manga remains relatively unknown. One possible reason is that it takes some time to become engaging, but the connections within the story become impressively clear later on. The narrative and artwork are both exceptional, but what truly captivates readers is the supernatural folklore centered around Yokai, a topic popular in the 1990s and 2000s. The story revolves around Rikuo Nura, who seems like an ordinary middle school student, but as we delve deeper, we discover his extraordinary roots.

Despite being one-fourth yokai and the heir to a legendary clan, led by his grandfather Nurarihyon, Rikuo has always been hesitant about assuming the leadership of the Nura Clan. Growing up hearing stories of yokais’ mischievous deeds, he has tried to steer clear of his destiny. However, when night falls, he undergoes a transformation into a yokai that bears a striking resemblance to Nurarihyon in his prime. It is only after recognizing the potential to utilize his powers for the protection of others that Rikuo decides to embrace his inheritance. The narrative unfolds as he works diligently to bring together all the yokai factions across Japan and create a “Night Parade of a Hundred Demons” – one that instills courage rather than fear in people.

6) Rookies

At first glance, this heartfelt sports manga may appear to simply revolve around baseball; however, it delves deeper into themes of redemption and growth. Despite being well-received in Japan and boasting over 21 million copies sold, it’s astonishing that it doesn’t generate more conversation. The narrative unfolds around Koichi Kawato, a high school teacher who strongly believes in the potential of young people, even those shunned by society. He finds himself at Futakotamagawa High School, where the baseball team consists of delinquents who had caused a fight during an official match, leading to a year-long suspension from all school competitions.

After the suspension period ended, the students’ enthusiasm for the sport had waned and they found themselves involved in various troublesome behaviors. Yet, Coach Kawata vowed to guide these boys onto the right path and motivated them with a goal to qualify for the esteemed Koshien high school baseball tournament. With just a few months remaining, the students worked tirelessly towards this objective, encountering numerous obstacles along the way, such as resistance from their school and opposition from everyone in their surroundings.

7) Hima-Ten!

In simpler terms, this ongoing romantic comedy centers around a 16-year-old high school student named Tenichi Iemori. To help support his family and save money for college, he works part-time with a cleaning service. But when Himari Yoshino, a model who also runs her own company, joins his class, it causes quite the stir at school, significantly altering Tenichi’s life.

In the role of our class’s rep, I find myself entrusted with a special responsibility – looking after a delightful girl named Himari. As I spend more time getting acquainted with her, I can’t help but be captivated by her vibrant spirit and infectious cheerfulness. However, things take an unexpected turn when she remains unaware that I am the one hired to keep her house in order. This little secret is shattered when I encounter a level of untidiness that leaves me puzzled, causing Himari no small amount of embarrassment.

8) Kill Blue

One of the lesser-known pieces by Tadatoshi Fujimaki, who’s famous for “Kuroko’s Basketball,” is titled “Blue.” This series is unique because it combines the suspense of spy thrillers with the humor of high school life. The main character, Juuzou Oogami, is a remarkable 40-year-old assassin working for a secret agency. During a mission, something went awry, and he was mysteriously transformed into a 16-year-old boy instead.

To discover the reason behind his transformation and a remedy to restore him to his normal state, he assumes the role of a high school student amidst harboring the reflexes of an elite assassin. A sequence of amusing incidents unfolds, interspersed with action-packed moments, as Tadatoshi strives to maintain his youthful disguise.

9) World Trigger

Although World Trigger boasts exceptional world-building and an enthralling narrative, it hasn’t achieved mainstream popularity, possibly due to the mediocre anime adaptation and interruptions caused by the author’s health issues. The manga was put on an open-ended hiatus in 2016 before resuming publication in 2018 with a regular monthly schedule as part of the Jump SQ magazine. The plot unfolds in Mikado City, which suddenly finds itself with a gateway to another world.

In a chilling turn of events, extradimensional entities, colloquially known as neighbors, wreaked havoc without remorse. Their technology outmatched anything we possess, rendering our modern defense systems obsolete. The city teetered on the edge of annihilation until four years ago, an enigmatic collective from the Border Defense Agency emerged and shielded us. Although the gate remains open, the city pulses with renewed energy due to the populace’s unwavering trust in the Border. The narrative revolves around Yuuma Kuga, who seems ordinary at first glance but conceals a profound secret regarding his identity within the Border ranks.

10) Bakuman

Following the incredible popularity of Death Note, authors Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata teamed up once more in 2008 to produce Bakuman. Unlike a strict retelling of real events, this series is heavily influenced by the creators’ actual experiences and incorporates numerous references to real individuals and occurrences. The narrative focuses on Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi as they strive to get serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump and attain fame as mangakas. Although Moritaka boasts exceptional artistic skills, he’s uncertain about his future and thinks he’ll lead a typical life.

Initially, Mashiro’s life continues as usual until he encounters Takagi’s drawing. Akito proposes they collaborate on a manga project, which Mashiro initially resists due to the tragic death of his uncle, also a mangaka, from overwork. However, Mashiro is inspired to chase a new dream when he learns that Miho Azuki, whom he admires, aspires to be a voice actress. He becomes determined to create a manga so successful it gets turned into an anime where Miho could star. This determination intensifies when Miho expresses her own feelings for him and agrees to marry him once they’ve both achieved their dreams together.

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2025-07-14 19:12