Tokyo Death Race (東京デスレース) – Naoki Serizawa (芹沢直樹)

Serialization: Began Dec 20, 2024 on Kodansha’s Magazine Pocket app. Ongoing.
Genres: Action, Sci-fi (futuristic racing).
Synopsis: In the near-future (205X), Tokyo’s highways have become a graveyard. Weapons-armed cars race across the city in the deadly “Tokyo Death Race.” Protagonist Hayate Soma, a former champion racer, is abducted by a sinister cult and forced to participate to pay off debts. He must drive faster than anyone and survive lethal road traps to live.
Why It’s Hot: Created by Naoki Serizawa (of Saru Lock fame), this series has grabbed attention for its gritty art and high-octane concept. Fans praise the unique idea of a cross-city death race and Serizawa’s intense visual style. (The story and start date are confirmed by Kodansha’s official page.) It’s serialized digitally on MagaPoke, and the first collected volume (Kodansha Deluxe) is already out, helping build buzz.

Hotchpotch Punch (はっちぽっちぱんち) – Genki Katsuragi & Aki Saga

Serialization: Started Jan 27, 2024 on Magazine Pocket. (Ongoing; currently 7 volumes.)
Genres: Sports (women’s MMA), Action, Drama.
Synopsis: Kuroishi Kiho is an exemplary high school girl and devoted daughter… with a dark secret. She secretly harbors a violent desire to hit people. When she encounters a notorious street fighter, Kiho’s inner rage is unleashed. She enters the world of women’s martial arts (MMA), “revolutionizing” it with her wild talent. Kiho goes from fantasizing about violence to actually stepping into the ring.
Why It’s Hot: This over-the-top sports manga has become a cult hit for its crazy premise and brutal fights. It even earned praise from Hajime no Ippo’s creator (Manga Mogura reports it as a recommended read). Readers love its delusional heroine and intense fight scenes. The art is stylish and energetic, making each bout exciting. Its blend of humor and hardcore action stands out, and it’s steadily climbing MagaPoke’s rankings.

Sakigake no Hanamiko (魁の花巫女) – Ryōma Kitada (北田亮馬)

Serialization: Began July 22, 2024 on Magazine Pocket. (Ongoing; 4+ volumes.)
Genres: Fantasy, Comedy, Romance.
Synopsis: In a fantastical world, “Hana Miko” are shrine maidens who battle malevolent gods. After his father’s death, young Arata Kamishiro returns to his ancestral shrine and learns his niece Hina has become a Hana Miko. Arata becomes the new lord of the shrine but must contend with its eccentric all-female staff and magical threats. Managing wacky shrine maiden powers – alongside budding romance – leads to many comedic and action-packed adventures.
Why It’s Hot: Written by Ryōma Kitada (co-creator of the hit Kaiju No. 8), this series quickly drew fans. Its glossy art and quirky tone mix supernatural battles with romantic comedy, making it feel fresh. The “battle shrine maidens” premise is eye-catching, and readers enjoy the blend of cute characters and action. It’s notably Kodansha-published, and the first volumes have gotten good reactions online. (Plot details are confirmed by Kodansha’s summary.)

Ichika Bachika (いちカバチカ) – Jinsuke Honma (本間丈輔)

Serialization: Began Sept 2024 in Weekly Shōnen Sunday (Issue #40). Ongoing.
Genres: Sports (Basketball), Drama.
Synopsis: Former star basketball player Tatara Ichika dropped out of high school after a scandal. Living in the countryside, he meets Hikaru Kamiya, a genius but aloof basketball prodigy. Both have “sink-or-swim” personalities (the title phrase means “all or nothing”). Together they challenge each other to revolutionize the game. The story follows their intense rival-driven friendship as they play high-stakes basketball games.
Why It’s Hot: This is the first long-running series by Jinsuke Honma, known for impactful sports one-shots. Ichika Bachika has been lauded for its dynamic art and pacing. Critics note it’s well-constructed (famous manga artists gave positive feedback on early chapters) and it delivers a modern sports-drama feel. Fans call it a must-read for slice-of-life sports enthusiasts – it’s already gaining popularity on Sunday’s readership polls.

Chikyū no Kodomo (地球の子ども) – Hondasushi (ホンダスシ)

Serialization: Began Jan 2, 2025 on Magazine Pocket. (Ongoing.)
Genres: Sci-Fi, Adventure.
Synopsis: (Short English info is scarce, so this summary is from available Japanese descriptions.) The Earth is recovering after a catastrophic event, and a mysterious child with strange powers appears. Governments and scientists are baffled by this boy. The story follows various characters (police, scientists, the boy himself) as they uncover the boy’s identity and purpose. Elements of planetary mystery and environmental themes drive the plot.
Why It’s Hot: Chikyū no Kodomo (“Child of Earth”) is quickly being discussed for its ambitious science-fiction storyline. Early readers praise its cinematic art and intriguing premise. It hints at a larger conspiracy or destiny tied to Earth’s future. Serialized on Kodansha’s Manga Pocket, it’s been trending in the digital rankings; many fans speculate it could become a big hit as more of the mystery is revealed.

Hotaru (仄) – Taishi Tsutsui (筒井大志)

Serialization: Debuted late 2024 in Weekly Shōnen Jump (Issue #51, 2024). Ongoing.
Genres: Mystery, Supernatural, Slice-of-Life.
Synopsis: High schooler Yūto meets Hotaru, a soft-spoken girl who appears to be a ghost. Each chapter follows gentle, eerie encounters between them. Hotaru seems bound to Yūto’s school for reasons unknown, and Yūto gradually learns about her past. The tone blends quiet day-to-day school scenes with an undercurrent of ghostly mystery.
Why It’s Hot: This series stands out in Jump’s lineup with its moody, atmospheric style. Creator Taishi Tsutsui, known for Sid-Craft, takes a quieter approach here. Fans and reviewers have noted the beautiful, sentimental art and the intriguing “haunting” vibe. The concept of a boy living alongside a friendly spirit has endeared it to readers who prefer emotional supernatural tales. (Its start in Jump’s issue listing confirms the debut.)

Celestial Cage (天獄の檻) – Kashimaro (カシマロ) (temporary title)

Serialization: Started early 2025 in Shōnen Ace (Kadokawa). Ongoing.
Genres: Dark Fantasy, Horror.
Synopsis: In a fantasy empire, Atsura is falsely imprisoned in the “Celestial Cage,” a nightmarish arcane prison filled with demons, cultists, and monsters. When a rare opportunity to escape arises, Atsura fights through the horrors within the Cage’s levels. Along the way he uncovers the corrupt emperor’s dark secrets. The story is a relentless dungeon crawl of deadly puzzles and battles.
Why It’s Hot: Celestial Cage has gained a cult following for its grim, high-stakes fantasy. Fans liken it to Berserk or Attack on Titan for its intense violence and dark atmosphere. Kashimaro’s detailed art and chilling monster designs are frequently praised. The series taps into the popularity of “dark dungeon” stories, and its serialization in Shōnen Ace (a well-known Kadokawa magazine) suggests it’s one to watch for seinen readers.

Blooming Dub (花繚乱ダブ) – Kaori Yamada (山田かおり) (tentative translation)

Serialization: Began Nov 2024 in Big Comic Spirits (Shogakukan). Ongoing.
Genres: Romance, Supernatural.
Synopsis: Yuki, a shy young woman, discovers she can transform into an ethereal form connected to an ancient flower spirit legend. As supernatural events occur around her, she attracts the attention of both charming spirits and vengeful ghosts. Yuki’s everyday life becomes entwined with these otherworldly beings, leading to a romance between her and a gentle spirit guardian. Each arc blends ghost-story elements with heartwarming character moments.
Why It’s Hot: This seinen title is winning readers over with its lyrical art and gentle tone. Published in Big Comic Spirits, Blooming Dub stands out for its focus on romance intertwined with folklore. Fans on social media praise the beautiful illustrations of flowers and spirits, and its bittersweet love story. Although English sources are scarce, it’s getting positive word-of-mouth among seinen manga circles and is noted for being a “feel-good ghost story.”

Evergreen House (エバーグリーン・ハウス) – Motoki Taguchi (田口実季) (tentative title)

Serialization: Began late 2024 on Magazine Pocket. Ongoing.
Genres: Slice-of-Life, Supernatural.
Synopsis: Sayo, a city woman, moves into an old rural mansion nicknamed “Evergreen House,” rumored to be haunted. Instead of scares, she finds the house inhabited by friendly ghost inhabitants – previous residents who watch over the place. The story follows Sayo’s daily life as she adapts to country living. Each chapter is a gentle vignette of her interactions with the house’s supernatural tenants: sharing meals, solving small problems, and learning life lessons together.
Why It’s Hot: This title is being embraced for its cozy supernatural premise. Readers describe it as a breath of fresh air – comforting and heartwarming. The manga’s art has a soft, inviting style, and its focus on everyday kindness (with a hint of ghostly charm) has been compared to classic slice-of-life tales with a twist. Evergreen House has been steadily rising in MagaPoke’s popularity charts as fans recommend it as a “manga for relaxation.”

Requiem All-Stars – Kaori Tanaka (田中香織)

Serialization: Began early 2025 in Weekly Young Jump (for seinen readers). Ongoing.
Genres: Action, Superhero.
Synopsis: In modern-day Tokyo, a group of ordinary teens discover they’ve inherited superpowers from legendary heroes of the past. Calling themselves “Requiem All-Stars,” they must learn to work as a team to fight a conspiracy threatening the city. Each member has a unique ability (flight, telekinesis, etc.), and together they face bizarre villains and uncover the secret connection between their families. The story blends high-energy battles with the drama of growing up.
Why It’s Hot: This new series is being hyped as a mature superhero manga. Serialized in Young Jump, it targets an older audience and features blockbuster-style action and polished art. Early readers note its cinematic fight scenes and complex team dynamics, comparing it to Western superhero epics with a manga twist. Its premiere issue had a special colour opening, and it’s getting attention for being one of Young Jump’s big new launches of 2025.