A new soccer manga, titled Embers, is set to ignite the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump, with its serialization beginning on February 3rd, 2025. The manga is illustrated by Sotaro Nishi, a former assistant on the popular soccer manga Blue Lock, as well as Wistoria: Wand and Sword. Written by Kei Kurumazaki, “Embers” is generating considerable buzz within the manga community, with many anticipating a fresh take on the sports genre.
A Rising Star from Blue Lock’s Ranks
Sotaro Nishi’s involvement in “Embers” has particularly caught the attention of fans. Having previously worked as an assistant on Blue Lock, Nishi was responsible for creating the dynamic and sharp backgrounds that have become a hallmark of the series. The artist of Blue Lock, Yusuke Nomura, has praised Nishi’s talent, describing him as a “terrifying talent” on X (formerly Twitter) and jokingly suggesting that Nishi is aiming to “crush” his former project with “Embers”. Toshi Aoi, the artist behind Wistoria: Wand and Sword has also lauded Nishi as an “ace”. These endorsements from established artists have only heightened the anticipation for Nishi’s first major serialized work.
Plot Synopsis: A Delinquent’s Unexpected Journey
“Embers” tells the story of Haitani, a delinquent renowned as the strongest fighter in his school. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Haitani encounters the world of soccer. This premise suggests a departure from traditional sports manga, with the promise of a character-driven narrative that explores themes of growth and unexpected passion. The tag line for the series is, “Kicking through Jump’s common sense, it’s a striker of the new era!!” adding to the excitement.
A Potential Challenger to Blue Lock?
The arrival of “Embers” has sparked discussion about its potential to rival Blue Lock, a highly successful soccer manga which has a monthly release schedule starting in July 2025. While both mangas focus on soccer, “Embers” unique premise and Nishi’s artistic talent could position it as a formidable contender in the sports manga landscape. Some fans speculate that “Embers” could offer competition to “Blue Lock” in terms of art style, with Nishi demonstrating strong skills in paneling, composition and general art. The hype surrounding “Embers” is a testament to Nishi’s talent and the high expectations surrounding his work, with many fans eagerly anticipating its release to see how it measures up against the popular title.
Where to Read “Embers”
“Embers” will be available on the MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA platform, with simultaneous releases alongside the Japanese version. This accessibility ensures that international fans can follow the series as it unfolds in real time. This release strategy indicates a significant commitment from Shueisha, which shows their confidence in the manga’s potential for success.
The Buzz Around the Manga
The manga’s imminent release has generated significant conversation on social media, with users expressing excitement about the new series. Many fans are eager to see how Nishi’s distinct art style translates into a full manga series. With the launch of “Embers”, Weekly Shonen Jump is adding another promising title to its lineup and fans are eager to see what Nishi and Kurumazaki have in store. The combination of a compelling premise, experienced creators, and strong backing from Weekly Shonen Jump and MANGA Plus makes “Embers” a manga to watch out for in 2025.
February 2025 Manga Releases
The release of “Embers” is part of a broader landscape of new manga and volume releases in February 2025. Several series will be ending and others will be releasing new volumes during the month. Some of the notable releases in February 2025 include:
- Mission: Yozakura Family Vol 28
- World Trigger Vol 28
- Undead Unluck Vol 25
- Blood Blockade Battlefront Vol 23
- The Elusive Samurai Vol 19
- Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective Vol 16
- Akane-Banashi Vol 15
- The Ramparts of Ice Vol 14 (Final)
- Captain2 Vol 14
- Tokyo Underworld Vol 12
- Marriage Toxin Vol 12
- Dragon Ball SD Vol 11
- Red Cat Ramen Vol 10
- Nue’s Exorcist Vol 8
- More than a lovers but less than a friends Vol 8
- After School Secret Club Vol 8 (Final)
- Jinrui Shoku: Blight of Man Vol 5
- Wild Strawberry Vol 5
- Boruto: Two Blue Vortex Vol 4
- Sachi’s Records Vol 4
- Super Psychic Policeman Chojo Vol 4
- Deep Raputa Vol 3
- MAD Vol 3
- The World of SKK Girls Vol 3
- Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi Vol 2
- Make Your Favorite Goods Vol 2
- Shinkalion Vol 2
- Smother Me Vol 2
- Akanabe-sensei wa Tereshirazu Vol 2
- Kabushikigaisha 5-nen 1-kumi Vol 2
- Hakutaku Vol 1
- Night Light Hounds Vol 1
- Magokoro Scramble Vol 1
- No Gyaru in This Class Vol 1
- Hero Organization Vol 1
- Tsumugi no Maho Vol 1
The release of “Embers” adds to the impressive list of new manga in February, making it a month packed with exciting releases for fans of the genre.
