7 Hidden Gems in Weekly Shonen Jump Manga to Discover in 2024

Every week, Weekly Shonen Jump, a well-known shonen manga magazine, introduces new series to its lineup. With a wide selection of titles, it can be challenging for fans to keep up with all the releases. While some manga gain huge popularity and devoted fans, there are also hidden gems that often go unnoticed.

Many underrated manga deserve appreciation for their unique storytelling, engaging characters, and fresh ideas. These series may not have the same level of attention as the mainstream titles, but they offer compelling narratives and have the potential to become beloved by fans.

From Agravity Boys to Me & Roboco: Here are 7 underrated Weekly Shonen Jump manga that should be on your reading list for 2024

1) Agravity Boys

Agravity Boys (Image via Shueisha)

Agravity Boys, a sci-fi comedy series by Atsushi Nakamura in Weekly Shonen Jump, follows the journey of four boys as they venture into space and ultimately reach a habitable planet called α-Jumbro. However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when Earth is engulfed by a black hole, leading the boys to encounter a cruel "Higher Being" on their new planet.

2) Undead Unluck

Agravity Boys puts the boys' loyalty to the test with a string of tough challenges, including a gender-bending surprise. While the series is rooted in cosmic themes and an apocalyptic backdrop, it ultimately emphasizes the connections between individuals and has been steadily gaining popularity since December 2019.

The image above shows a scene from Undead Unluck, a series produced by TMS Entertainment.

Undead Unluck is adapted from the one-shot Undead + Unluck by Yoshifumi Tozuka. The story follows Fuuko, a young girl with the ability to bring misfortune to anyone she touches, resulting in the tragic loss of her family. When she crosses paths with Andy, a man who can regenerate from any injury and appears to be immortal, Fuuko realizes she may be the only one capable of ending his life.

The series explores a realm inhabited by superpowered individuals, their quest to understand Andy, and their battle against a deity who controls the fabric of reality. Undead Unluck presents a surreal and gripping storyline that stretches the limits of imagination.

3) Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Mashle: Magic and Muscles (Image via A-1 Pictures)

In the world of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, created by Hajime Komoto, everyone wields impressive magical abilities, everyone except Mash Vandead, the protagonist. Raised in isolation, Mash may lack magical powers, but makes up for it with his exceptional physical strength.

4) Moriking

Seeking normalcy, he enrolls in Easton Magic Academy, beginning a journey that unfolds as he learns spells to further enhance his physical prowess. This manga combines elements of Harry Potter and How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?, offering a delightful blend of magic and physicality. Interestingly, Mashle: Magic and Muscles provides a fresh perspective on the underdog hero trope.

Moriking is a humorous manga created by Tomohiro Hasegawa for Weekly Shonen Jump, combining the Shonen style with the allure of bug collecting. The plot revolves around Shoto, whose father introduces a rhinoceros beetle larva into their home, which then undergoes a miraculous transformation into a handsome, muscular young man named Moriking.

5) Magu-chan: God of Destruction

Moriking is discovered to be one of the five contenders vying for the position of future King of the Forest. Shoto's sister, Shoko, is astounded by the situation, while Shoto is unwavering in his support for Moriking's journey to power. Moriking brings humor to the shonen template, providing a distinctive viewpoint on the insect world and its quirky inhabitants.

Combining horror and comedy, Kei Kamiki presents Magu-chan: God of Destruction in Weekly Shonen Jump (Image via Shueisha). The plot follows Magu Menueku, a once-mighty God of Chaos and Destruction, who is imprisoned in a crystal. Upon meeting Ruru, a kind-hearted middle school student, he plots to reclaim his former power by manipulating her.

6) Hard-Boiled Cop and Dolphin

Magu-chan: God of Destruction is a manga that takes inspiration from stories like Sgt. Frog, featuring world conquerors who rely on innocent kids to adjust to a new world. It offers a delightful mix of comedy and charm, providing a fresh perspective within the Weekly Shonen Jump genre.

Hard-Boiled Cop and Dolphin was featured in Weekly Shonen Jump (Image via Shueisha) and is an unusual police comedy series created by Ryuhe­i Tamura. The plot revolves around a tough cop who is fired for his unorthodox methods and later becomes a private investigator on a remote island.

7) Me & Roboco

Unexpectedly, his life takes a twist when he meets a dolphin who can talk and claims to have been a human detective in the past. Together, they become an unlikely pair and solve strange cases involving both humans and sea creatures. Hard-Boiled Cop and Dolphin combines comedy, action, and suspense to provide an enjoyable and unusual manga experience.

Me & Roboco (Image via Gallop)

Bondo, a young elementary school student, shares his home with a unique humanoid robot named Roboco. Despite her good intentions, Roboco's efforts to help often result in chaos, leading to hilarious and clumsy situations. As a result, Bondo and Roboco find themselves embarking on daily adventures in unexpected circumstances, and their endearing friendship adds a heartwarming touch to their misadventures.

Final thoughts

But the manga also showcases Roboco's eccentric behavior, delving into their lighthearted and humorous slice-of-life escapades by combining the charm of their bond with Roboco's comical robotic quirks.

Discover the hidden gems in Weekly Shonen Jump with a collection of underrated manga stories. From the comedic adventures of Agravity Boys to the bizarre plotlines of Undead Unluck, these lesser-known titles offer absorbing narratives and original angles. Don't miss out on these seven underrated Weekly Shonen Jump manga worth reading in 2024.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Weekly Shonen Jump manga, I am thrilled to discover these hidden gems that promise to captivate readers in 2024. The diversity of genres and unique storytelling styles showcased in these underrated manga is truly exciting. From the sci-fi comedy of Agravity Boys to the surreal and gripping storyline of Undead Unluck, each series offers something fresh and engaging.

I am particularly intrigued by Mashle: Magic and Muscles, which presents a delightful blend of magic and physicality, and Moriking, which brings humor to the shonen template with its unique perspective on the insect world. These hidden gems deserve more recognition and I look forward to delving into their captivating narratives and unforgettable characters.