Boichi, acclaimed manga artist behind hits like Dr. Stone (as illustrator for Riichiro Inagaki), Sun-Ken Rock, Origin, and the recent The Marshal King, is teaming up with Masanori Morita’s classic series Rokudenashi Blues for a brand-new spin-off manga. Titled Rokudenashi Blues Gaiden: Onikazura, the new gaiden will launch in Shueisha’s Grand Jump this summer, bringing a fresh artistic vision to Morita’s beloved high-school boxing saga.
Table of Contents
Boichi to Draw Rokudenashi Blues Gaiden: Onikazura — What We Know
The announcement by Grand Jump confirms Boichi will provide the art for Rokudenashi Blues Gaiden: Onikazura while Masanori Morita is credited for the original work. The gaiden is slated to begin in Grand Jump this summer, marking an exciting return to Morita’s gritty world of high school delinquents, boxing ambition, and knockout drama. This collaboration pairs Morita’s legendary storytelling with Boichi’s dynamic and highly detailed art style—an intriguing combination for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
What Is Rokudenashi Blues? A Quick Primer
Rokudenashi Blues originally ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1988 to 1997 and spans 42 volumes. The story follows Taison Maeda, a tough student at Teiken High School in Kichijōji, Tokyo, who dreams of becoming a professional boxer. The series blends high-energy school delinquent fights with heartfelt character development, boxing arcs, and classic shonen themes of perseverance and camaraderie.
Legacy and adaptations
- Two anime films were released in the early 1990s, cementing the series in anime/manga culture.
- Live-action films followed in 1996 and 1998, alongside a television adaptation in 2011 and a stage play in 2010.
- Masanori Morita’s other notable works include Rookies, Beshari Gurashi, and Zashisu.
Who Is Boichi? Why This Collaboration Matters
Boichi has become a household name among manga readers for his striking, cinematic art and the ability to render both intimate character moments and large-scale action with equal skill. Known for Sun-Ken Rock (a long-running seinen series), Origin (sci-fi seinen), and more recently The Marshal King on Shonen Jump+ (launched February 2025), Boichi’s distinctive visual signatures—expressive faces, detailed musculature, and dramatic composition—promise to give Rokudenashi Blues Gaiden: Onikazura a vivid new look.
Artistic strengths Boichi brings to Rokudenashi Blues
- Highly detailed anatomy and dynamic fight choreography, ideal for boxing and delinquent brawls.
- Strong sense of cinematic framing that can heighten emotional beats and rival fights.
- Experience across genres—action, drama, science fiction—making him well-suited to adapt a multi-toned series like Rokudenashi Blues.
What to Expect from Rokudenashi Blues Gaiden: Onikazura
“Gaiden” indicates a side-story or spin-off, so readers can expect a focused narrative that may explore supporting characters, untold pasts, or new challengers within the Rokudenashi universe. The subtitle Onikazura (literally “demon topknot” or “oni-knot”) hints at fierce rivals, cultural motifs, or a character-driven arc with intense confrontations.
Possible story directions
- Origin stories or untold episodes from the lives of Teiken High students and rivals.
- New boxing matches and training arcs that expand the world while remaining true to Morita’s themes.
- Character-focused chapters that delve into motivations behind delinquent behavior and loyalty.
How Boichi’s style could reshape the tone
Boichi’s polished, high-contrast linework and keen eye for dramatic poses could modernize the look and feel of Rokudenashi Blues without losing the original’s emotional grit. Fans may see more detailed fight sequences, expressive close-ups, and a more cinematic pacing in panels—elements that could make Onikazura both a faithful continuation and a fresh reinvention.
Release Details and Where to Read
Grand Jump confirmed the summer launch in its announcement. Keep an eye on Grand Jump’s official channels for the exact release date and preview pages. For readers outside Japan, licensed translations or scanned releases may follow depending on international licensing decisions.
Primary sources for the announcement include Grand Jump’s social media and Comic Natalie; you can view the initial notice on Grand Jump’s X/Twitter page and related coverage on Comic Natalie for more details (external links marked nofollow):
Fan Expectations and Industry Impact
This collaboration is significant for several reasons: it revives a classic property with a top-tier contemporary artist, it could introduce Rokudenashi Blues to a new generation of readers, and it demonstrates how legacy franchises can be refreshed through creative partnerships. Given Boichi’s track record, Onikazura could spark renewed interest in Morita’s original run and potentially open doors for more adaptations or reprints.
Potential challenges
- Balancing Morita’s narrative voice with Boichi’s visual identity to satisfy long-term fans.
- Managing expectations for tone—whether the gaiden will skew darker, more modern, or remain nostalgically faithful.
Where This Fits in Boichi’s Recent Work
Boichi’s recent project The Marshal King launched on Shueisha’s Shonen Jump+ in February 2025 and later went on hiatus in December, showing the artist’s active presence across major Shueisha platforms. Rokudenashi Blues Gaiden: Onikazura represents Boichi shifting into a classic shonen world with seinen sensibilities—an intriguing creative pivot that many readers are eager to see realized.
Final thoughts
Rokudenashi Blues Gaiden: Onikazura is shaping up to be one of this summer’s most talked-about manga launches, pairing Masanori Morita’s enduring storytelling with Boichi’s unmatched artistic flair. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Taison Maeda’s boxing dreams or a newcomer drawn to modern manga art and gripping fight scenes, this gaiden promises a compelling blend of nostalgia and reinvention. Keep an eye on Grand Jump for the exact release date and early previews—Onikazura could be the perfect bridge between vintage shonen energy and contemporary visual storytelling.
