Tokyo, Japan – Weekly Shonen Jump, the renowned Japanese manga magazine, has concluded its first major series of 2025, marking the end of Hitsuji Gondaira’s Mission: Yozakura Family after a six-year serialization. The series, which debuted in 2019, reached its conclusion with Chapter 258, bringing to a close the adventures of Taiyo Asano and the unique Yozakura family.
A Fond Farewell to a Shonen Staple
Mission: Yozakura Family has been a consistent presence in Shonen Jump since its inception. The manga, known for its blend of action, comedy, and family dynamics, follows high school student Taiyo Asano, who becomes entangled with the powerful and eccentric Yozakura family after marrying its eldest daughter, Mutsumi Yozakura. The series has garnered a dedicated fanbase over the years, appreciating its engaging storyline and dynamic characters.
The ending of Mission: Yozakura Family signifies a shift in the landscape of Shonen Jump. The magazine has recently seen the conclusion of several other prominent series, including My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen in 2024. This leaves One Piece as the sole long-running series from previous decades, highlighting a transition period for the magazine.
How the Series Concluded
The final arc of Mission: Yozakura Family saw the Yozakura family facing off against the antagonist, Asa. The family members evolved their “Blooming” powers to their strongest forms, achieving an overwhelming victory. In the emotional finale, Taiyo and Mutsumi renewed their wedding vows in a proper ceremony. The series ends with the characters’ futures established, showcasing a happy ending for the beloved family.
The conclusion of Mission: Yozakura Family has been in the works throughout 2024, with the final battles and character arcs being developed. The series provided updates to its fans regarding the manga’s final push and successfully wrapped up the storyline. The series’ final chapter featured a “Cherry Blossom Vows Ceremony,” a large gathering of the family and their friends, celebrating the renewal of vows between Taiyo and Mutsumi. Even Kyoichiro, Mutsumi’s overprotective brother, accepted Taiyo as her husband, finally seeing her happiness.
Shonen Jump in Transition
With the conclusion of Mission: Yozakura Family, Shonen Jump is experiencing a significant change in its roster. The magazine now relies more on newer series that have debuted in the 2020s, such as Undead Unluck, Sakamoto Days, and Me & Roboco. This shift marks the end of an era, with Mission: Yozakura Family being among the last series from the 2010s to conclude.
The “New Power Generation”
Shonen Jump is actively promoting its “New Power Generation,” highlighting nine key manga and anime IPs. This initiative showcases a diverse range of genres, including action, sports, and supernatural fantasy. This push emphasizes the magazine’s commitment to bringing new and exciting content to its readers, as it seeks to replace the long-running series that have recently concluded. The campaign includes popular titles like Kagurabachi and Sakamoto Days, which are slated to receive their first anime adaptations in 2025.
The Impact of Recent Endings
The ending of Mission: Yozakura Family follows the conclusion of other major Shonen Jump series, creating a period of uncertainty for the magazine. With My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen also concluding in 2024, Shonen Jump is now tasked with maintaining its readership and relevance. The magazine’s landscape is significantly altered, with the recent endings creating a void that it must fill with new, captivating content. Many fans are now looking to the new series and anime adaptations to see if they can become the next big hits.
A Look at the Current Lineup
Currently, One Piece remains the longest-running series in the magazine, having been serialized since 1997. Other notable series include Undead Unluck, Sakamoto Days, Witch Watch, and Blue Box, all of which have received or are set to receive anime adaptations. These series represent the new wave of manga gaining popularity in the magazine. Kagurabachi is also considered a rising star, with many hoping that it will become a major hit for the magazine.
Future of Shonen Jump
The magazine is at a crossroads, seeking to maintain its position in the manga industry amidst these changes. With an emphasis on new series, Shonen Jump is aiming to cultivate the next generation of popular manga. The magazine is also promoting a diverse range of series, moving away from primarily action-focused titles and including genres like romance, sports, and comedy.
New Anime Adaptations
Several series within Shonen Jump are receiving anime adaptations, such as Sakamoto Days, which is set to premiere in Winter 2025, and Blue Box which is expected to receive an adaptation in Fall 2025. These adaptations are intended to boost the popularity of the manga series and attract new fans. The anime adaptation of Sakamoto Days is being produced by TMS Entertainment, known for their work on series like Dr. Stone and Detective Conan.
Navigating the Transition
The ending of major series has also led to speculation and debate among fans about the future of Shonen Jump. Some believe the magazine is heading into a period of weakness, needing a new manga to carry the publication. Others remain optimistic, citing the potential of new series like Kagurabachi and the diverse genres being explored by the new titles. With a history of launching some of the most popular manga of all time, many fans remain hopeful about the future of Shonen Jump.
The conclusion of Mission: Yozakura Family is a significant event in the history of Shonen Jump. While the magazine navigates the changes brought by recent series endings, its focus on new talent and adaptations promises an interesting future.
