The manga series Ichi the Witch and Kagurabachi have come together for a special collaboration, with protagonists Ichi and Chihiro appearing side by side on the cover of Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 1 2026, released on the first of the month. Under the theme “＃ライバルが世界を面白くする( EN: Rivals Make the World More Exciting),” the issue also introduces a series of advertisements featuring rival products from major Japanese manufacturers.

The collaboration includes Suntory beverages Tokucha and Toku-mizu, Zespri kiwifruit Green and Gold, Bandai Namco Entertainment’s Taiko no Tatsujin characters Don and Katsu, and Morinaga Milk Industry’s ice cream brands Pino and PARM. Posters featuring these rival matchups were installed across the streets of Shibuya and Osaka’s Shinsaibashi starting on release day. In addition, from the same day at 6 p.m., Ichi the Witch and Kagurabachi will be available to read for free for 180 minutes daily on a dedicated website.

Ichi the Witch is a magic-hunting fantasy serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. Set in a world where magic exists in the form of living creatures, the story follows “witches,” hunters who master magic. Deep in the remote mountains, a fierce battle unfolds between the King’s terrifying magic and the strongest witch, when a completely out-of-place boy named Ichi suddenly intrudes. A mountain-dwelling hunter with no connection to witches or magic begins to upend the world’s very foundations. The series is written by Osamu Nishi, known for Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, with artwork by Shiro Usazaki. It premiered in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 41 2024 (released September 9) and won first place in the Comics Category of the 2025 “Next Manga Awards.”

Kagurabachi follows Chihiro, a young man training to become a swordsmith, who fights to avenge his father’s murder in a Japanese sword–themed action narrative. Chihiro spends his days training under his father, believing their peaceful, laughter-filled life would last forever. But one day tragedy strikes, fueling the young boy with hatred and a burning resolve. The series began serialization in September 2023 and is author Takeru Hokazono’s debut. It has rapidly become one of Jump’s flagship titles, winning first place in the Comics Category of the 2024 “Next Manga Awards.” According to Shueisha, the first chapter achieved the number one global view count on the worldwide multilingual manga platform MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA within its first week of publication (English edition, September 2023), underscoring its strong overseas popularity.

Source : ORICON NEWS