Claymore Creator Makes Comeback in Shonen Jump with Exciting New One-Shot

Overview

Norihiro Yagi has launched a new one-shot manga titled “Mukuro to Kishi”on the Shonen Jump+ platform.
Yagi is renowned for his previous works, including Angel Densetsu and the globally celebrated Claymore.
This one-shot was previewed in the latest edition of Shonen Jump and officially released on December 7, 2024.

This month, celebrated mangaka Norihiro Yagi debuted his new one-shot manga, Mukuro to Kishi, on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ app. Yagi has built a robust reputation over the years, particularly known for iconic works such as Angel Densetsu and Claymore, with the latter achieving widespread acclaim worldwide.

While details surrounding Mukuro to Kishi remain limited, one-shot manga often serve as a testing ground for potential future serialization, providing readers a taste of new narratives. The title translates loosely to “The Dead Corpse and The Knight,”although “Mukuro”could also be interpreted as a character’s name, adding a layer of intrigue to its premise.

Fans were treated to a visual sneak peek of this one-shot in the most recent Shonen Jump issue. The official publication date for Mukuro to Kishi on the Shonen Jump+ platform is set for December 7, 2024.

First look at ‘Mukuro to Kishi’ by Norihiro Yagi in Issue #1 2025. This new one-shot will be published in Shonen Jump+ App on December 7th, 2024. https://t.co/ZgwdS9WIfj pic.twitter.com/rtZJ1W7Y2B — Shonen Jump News (@WSJ_manga) December 1, 2024

Exploring Norihiro Yagi’s Journey as a Mangaka

Milestones: Angel Densetsu, Claymore, and Ariadne

Originating from Okinawa Prefecture, Yagi began his professional journey as a manga artist in the 1990s. His initial recognition came through the Akatsuka Award when he won for his work, Undeadman, which featured in the Monthly Shonen Jump magazine.

Following this success, Yagi released Angel Densetsu in Monthly Shonen Jump, a series that ran from 1992 to 2000. The narrative revolves around a boy possessing the “heart of an angel”yet cursed with the “looks of a devil”and poor social skills. This series was compiled into 15 volumes and inspired two OVA episodes in 1996 but has yet to see an English publication.

Shortly after Angel Densetsu concluded, Claymore emerged, quickly gaining international recognition. As Monthly Shonen Jump phased out, Claymore transitioned to Jump Square, achieving impressive success until its conclusion in 2014. This medieval fantasy follows fierce female knights battling grotesque humanoid monsters and has been compiled into 27 volumes. Viz Media published Claymore in the United States, where it also saw an anime adaptation produced by Madhouse, licensed by Crunchyroll.

From 2017 to 2023, Yagi’s creative efforts shifted to Ariadne, which was serialized in Shogakukan’s Shonen Sunday and later on the Shonen Webry platform. This series centers around a boy’s transformative journey after meeting a girl, ultimately spanning 22 volumes, although it remains unlicensed in the US. Between these major works, Yagi also produced the one-shot Arcadia of the Moonlight.

Currently, Claymore is Yagi’s only manga available in the US, demonstrating his significant impact and popularity in the manga world.

Source: X/Twitter

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