The Japanese publishing company, Kodansha announced four nominees for the shonen category for its 45th annual Manga Awards. The winner will be declared on May 13.
Fire Force
Created by Atsushi Ohkubo
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine (Kodansha)
Shinra Kusakabe, a boy with unique powers thus gaining the nickname “Devil’s Footprints”, joins Special Fire Force Company 8. Here, he meets other flame users determined to end the Infernal attacks while investigating Companies 1 through 7 for possible corruption in their ranks.
As a part of the Fire Force, Shinra slowly begins to uncover the truth behind the mysterious fire that killed his family twelve years ago.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Created by Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday (Shogakukan)
Having defeated the Demon King and peace finally established in the land, Elf mage Frieren and her brave fellow adventurers go their separate ways to live a quiet life. But almost immortal, Frieren as an elf long outlives her companions.
Before dying, one of her companions, Heiter leaves Frieren the responsibility of a young human apprentice, Fern. Along with Fern, Frieren embarks on a journey, revisiting the old places she and the other heroes had visited.
Frieren gradually confronts her regret of not having formed deeper bonds with her former comrades.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Created by Taiki Kawakami
Published in Shonen Sirius (Kodansha)
Reincarnated as a Slime centers on the life of Satori Mikami, an ordinary Tokyo salaryman who dies and wakes up in a fantasy world as a slime. Mikami was unsatisfied with his previous life, never got a girlfriend and stuck in a dead-end job, and just abruptly stabbed to death in the streets at 37.
So when he is given this brand new opportunity in a fantasy RPG, he lets go of all his past regrets. He decides to start with a fresh new perspective and embarks on a journey with an ambitious goal in mind.
Blue Lock
Created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yūsuke Nomura
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine (Kodansha)
The manga starts with Japan being eliminated from the 2018 World Cup. This leads to the creation of the Blue Lock Project, wherein the sole survivor will become the national team’s striker.
The main protagonist Yoichi Isagi, a striker, is invited to join the program, right after his team loses the Saitama finals and misses their opportunity to play in the nationals. Will he be able to become the best striker and lead Japan to World Cup victory?
