Weekly Shonen Leap is without doubt one of the most iconic manga anthology magazines in Japan and around the globe, with it being or having been dwelling to powerhouse titles One Piece, My Hero Academia, Dragon Ball, Naruto, and plenty of extra. Being as standard as it’s, making it in WSJ isn’t any straightforward process. Loads of mangaka dream of their work being printed in WSJ, nevertheless it’s a demanding and aggressive scene.
2025 was a tough 12 months for the long-lasting journal, with 10 sequence getting the axe to go alongside 3 others reaching their conclusions. With so a lot of its established sequence having both ended or nearing their finish, it is onerous to foretell what the longer term will seem like for Weekly Shonen Leap. One factor we all know for positive is that it doesn’t take much for a series to get canned. Whereas WSJ would not often launch official numbers for its canceled sequence, you may inform how a sequence is performing based mostly on its “rankings” or the place it is positioned in a given challenge’s desk of contents. Larger placement means it is a standard sequence, whereas a decrease spot on the index would possibly spell dangerous information. With that in thoughts, these WSJ manga won’t make it to the top of 2026.
Harukaze Mound
If there’s one sequence that looks like it is on its final leg, it is Harukaze Mound. Sports manga generally have a pretty strong audience, however for no matter purpose, Harukaze Mound simply would not appear to be catching on.
The sequence debuted in Challenge 29 and has solely appeared within the rankings’ high 10 thrice since. During the last eight points, Harukaze Mound has averaged a rating of 17.8, putting it on the backside for ongoing serializations. At this price, it appears to be like prefer it will not final too lengthy into 2026.
Otr of the Flame
Like Harukaze Mound, Otr of the Flame looks like a sequence that is perhaps on its method out sooner moderately than later. The fantasy sequence hasn’t been putting nicely during the last eight volumes, sitting with a mean rating of 17.5 and having positioned within the backside few slots of the index over the last few weeks.
Otr of the Flame would not appear to be doing nicely when it comes to gross sales both. The sequence tankobons apparently did not even promote 3,000 copies within the first week of November. With 2.947 copies bought, that places it simply above Ping-Pong Peril (2.107), a sequence that was lately canceled this 12 months. Kaedegami, one other sequence with comparable rankings that ended final month, barely outsold it. Except one thing drastic occurs, you may guess that Otr of the Flame is on its method out.
Hero Woman and Demon Lord Name It Quits
Predicting that Hero Woman and Demon Lord Name It Quits will not make it to the top of subsequent 12 months is perhaps leaping the gun just a little, however the sequence is not off to an awesome begin. Like all new sequence, it ranked first throughout its debut chapter, which was in 2025 Challenge 50. But it surely’s dropped to seventh and twelfth in points 51 and 52.
That is not an awesome pattern for a brand new sequence. As an alternative of gaining hype by means of phrase of mouth, it appears to be struggling to search out an viewers. It is not strange to see a more comedy-centric series succeed in WSJ, however Hero Woman and Demon Lord Name It Quits would possibly simply not be reducing it with sequence like Me and Roboco and Hima-Ten! round.
Final Exorcist Kiyoshi
In contrast to many of the sequence talked about up to now, Final Exorcist Kiyoshi has really been working in WSJ for a short time. It debuted in June 2024 and has amassed 6 tankobon volumes up to now. The series was even recommended by Eiichiro Oda, who sequence creator Shoichi Usui labored underneath for 5 years.
General efficiency for the sequence hasn’t been dangerous all through its run, nevertheless it’s been trending within the flawed course lately. During the last eight points, Final Exorcist Kiyoshi is averaging a 13.9 rating. Judging by the primary week of tankobon gross sales for November, the sequence is performing decently with 8,559 volumes bought. But it surely’s nonetheless not doing nicely in comparison with different fashionable sequence like Ruri Dragon (56,184) and Akane Bashi (26,971). On the finish of the day, Final Exorcist Kiyoshi would possibly simply be a type of sequence that pulls by means of with the viewers it has. But it surely’s price keeping track of as a possible 2026 casualty.
The Elusive Samurai
The Elusive Samurai might be a type of fortunate sequence that can see its story conclude organically moderately than undergo by means of a rushed ending. It was introduced that the sequence was heading in the direction of its conclusion in Weekly Shonen Leap Challenge 48, 2025. It has been a month since, and the sequence continues to be going. Who is aware of if it’s going to final the 12 months, however you may make certain that if it does, 2026 would be the final 12 months we get new Elusive Samurai chapters.
Fortunately, followers nonetheless have the upcoming second season of the anime to look ahead to. Whereas a launch window has but to be introduced, it would be great if the anime returned next year to minimize the sting of the manga ending, if solely just a little.
