Ichi the Witch (Japanese: 魔男のイチ Hepburn: Madan no Ichi) is a Japanese manga series written by Osamu Nishi, the creator of Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, and illustrated by Shiro Usazaki, known for her work on Act Age. The series debuted in the 41st issue of Weekly Shounen Jump (Shueisha), released on September 9, 2024.
Premise
Ichi the Witch is a magical hunting fantasy that follows the story of Ichi, a young hunter living a simple life in the mountains. In his world, magic takes the form of living creatures (called Majiks), and those who overcome the challenging trials imposed by Majiks—such as "drinking a massive amount of water" or "embracing fire for an hour"—are known as witches, having mastered the art of magic.
One day, a sacred battle erupts in the remote mountains between the formidable magic of the King, Uroro, and the strongest witch, Desscaras. It was a conflict so intense that no one dared to approach, until Ichi, an outsider with no connection to magic or witches, intervenes unexpectedly. Little did anyone know, this seemingly ordinary hunter was about to astonish the world.
About
In the first chapter of Ichi the Witch, Ichi is welcomed by villagers upon returning with a hunted moose known as the guardian of the flower field at the summit of Druid Mountain. They appreciate his efforts to make their mountain crossings safer. Ichi shares his story of waiting six hours for the kill and being briefly startled by the moose's droppings. He engages with women preparing to depart for the capital to take an entrance exam and humorously guesses silly names for the university, before giving them rabbit meat and jerky for their journey.
One woman suggests he could live in the village instead of the mountain, but Ichi prefers to stay, as he still has goals on the mountain. A villager notes that Ichi’s life on the mountain feels vastly different from theirs. Ichi reflects on his harsh past, having been abandoned at a young age on the mountain, surviving through struggle, and eventually mastering hunting skills. He has since made the mountain his home and aims to confront a massive creature he has encountered.
Desscaras, the Abyssal Witch, is near Druid Mountain, communicating with Monegold, the Aureate Witch, via a mirror. Desscaras is tasked with dealing with a powerful presence, King Uroro, who embodies hatred and has caused significant destruction. She prepares to confront him while other witches work on protective barriers. During their confrontation, King Uroro mocks Desscaras, claiming that no witch can ever claim his Majik due to his nature.
Ichi intervenes in the battle, surprising both Desscaras and King Uroro. After Ichi traps King Uroro and destroys his core, his outfit transforms, leaving him confused. Desscaras, warning Ichi of the danger, is mistakenly attacked by him. then, in a moment of confusion, Ichi recites a chant he had heard Desscaras use. The damage from this single untrained accident is already devastating. A narration then reveals the rare and nearly impossible chance for a man to acquire a Majik. Despite this, Ichi begins to understand his emerging power.
History
A promotional video (PV) celebrating the series' launch has been released. The first chapter is 54 pages long and features a color cover and an opening spread. Additionally, this issue marks the conclusion of Omusuke Kobayashi's Psych House. The new series, Shinobikoto, created by the duo Takegushi Ippon and Mitarashi Santa, known for Ame no Furu, debuted in the 42nd issue on September 17. Furthermore, "Hakutaku" by Ishikawa Kouki was released in Issue #43 later that year.
Reception
External Links
Official Sites
- Shonen Jump Official Website (in Japanese)
- Madan no Ichi Official Website (in Japanese)
- Official Website - MANGA Plus (in English)
- Official Website - VIZ Media (in English)
Creators' Social Medias
Writer
- Osamu Nishi (@osamun24) on X (formerly Twitter)
Illustrator
- Shiro Usazaki (@uszksr) on X (formerly Twitter)
- Shiro Usazaki (@uszksr) on Instagram
- Shiro Usazaki on Bluesky