Pokemon & Cardcaptor Sakura Inspired Shonen Jump’s Biggest New Series

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In 2024, Shonen Jump faced challenges finding a new blockbuster title after some of its top-performing series concluded, but it seems like Shueisha may have found a strong contender with “Ichi the Witch,” a joint creation by Shiro Usazaki and Osamu Nishi. This manga offers everything a fantasy enthusiast could desire from a series while retaining enough universal appeal to attract a broader audience. The story follows Ichi, a young man who makes his living as a hunter in the Druid Mountains. After subduing a Majik – a creature sought by witches for their magical abilities – Ichi becomes the first male witch ever.

Since the initial concept of the manga aligns closely with it, it’s understandable that its author drew significant inspiration from the popular series “Cardcaptors” or “Cardcaptor Sakura,” as it’s known among English-speaking anime and manga enthusiasts. However, in an interview with MANGA Plus, the author, Osamu Nishi, also acknowledged being inspired by the captivating world of “Pokémon,” given her longstanding fandom of the franchise, particularly its emphasis on collecting creatures and fostering personal connections with them.

In an interview, Nishi shared that she found both franchises captivating during her childhood years. She revealed that these series played a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of magic and Magiks within the realm of Ichi the Witch. Specifically, she mentioned that she wanted to depict Magiks as adversaries initially for Ichi to pursue and later as allies following his successful hunts, stating: “These series provided me with immense pleasure during my formative years. I felt it would be intriguing to illustrate magic and Magiks as entities that are challenging for the protagonist, Ichi, to track down initially, but eventually prove to be valuable companions after he has successfully completed his hunts.

Ichi the Witch’s Fantastical World Wears Its Heart On Its Sleeve

It’s evident from the conversation with the creators of Ichi the Witch, the dynamic duo, that they deeply cherish and are intensely dedicated to the narrative they’re developing, not just for the sake of success in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. As Nishi expressed during the interview, when it comes to attracting new readers, they strive tirelessly to craft chapters that offer something intriguing for any reader who picks up their work, whether they are a seasoned fan or someone diving into the story midway.

In an interview for MANGA Plus, Usazaki’s responses echoed her fervor. When questioned about what influenced her when sketching particular characters or creating Majiks within the narrative, she shared: “I strive to maintain the central theme for each Majik while drawing them in a way that instantly communicates crucial information to the reader… Since Majiks are sentient and vocal entities, I also make certain their designs don’t restrict their lively feel as they move.” Her thoughtful methodology in shaping these all-powerful magical beings highlights her commitment to the universe she and Nishi are crafting for Ichi the Witch, a dedication that has undoubtedly contributed to the series’ unprecedented popularity in Shonen Jump.


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2025-01-28 18:12