While big names like One Piece, Naruto and Bleach have been heavy hitters among Shonen Jump's line-up for years now, there are a lot of lesser-known manga from the publisher that have essentially been forgotten, including some that were quite popular around the time of their initial release.
Here are some of the most unsung series from the Shonen Jump vault.
7. Blue Exorcist
A well-known name years back, Kazue Kato's Blue Exorcist gained some notoriety in the early 2010s and was once quite popular. However, the manga, which is still ongoing, isn't even close to as popular as it once was. The story itself centers on Rin Okumura, who discovers he and his twin brother are the sons of Satan and have inherited the devil's powers. Despite no longer holding the same esteem it once did, Blue Exorcist definitely holds a justified place on this list, even if it's still in circulation.
6. Hikaru no Go
While not as action-packed as some other names, Takeshi Obata and Hotta Yumi's Hikaru no Go takes a more cerebral approach than many manga in Shonen Jump. However, it manages to be just as engaging as the rest. After finding an old Go board, Hikaru releases the spirit of a famous Go player from the Edo period named Fujiwara-no-Sai. This starts Hikaru on his journey to becoming the greatest Go master ever. The series, which ran for 198 chapters between 1998 and 2003, also sparked an acute interest in Go among Japan's youth.
5. Barrage
Before his more well-known My Hero Academia, Kōhei Horikoshi wrote an underrated futuristic chronicle telling the story of Astro, a good hearted slightly dim young man living in the slums of society. He resides on an industrial planet but is fired from his job after alien alien attack, accidentally running into his doppelgänger who turns out to be the Crown Prince Barrage of Industria. At the prince's request, Astro assumes his identity in order to protect those closest to him. 2012's Barrage didn't even last a full year in publication, with only 16 chapters being released. However, the manga's dynamic storyline and endearing characters mean this prince and the pauper twist will keep people on their toes and maybe steal some hearts along the way.
4. Cross Manage
Created by KAITO, Cross Manage is one of the few failed sports-genre series that deserves recognition. Featuring a soccer player incapacitated by his injury, Sakurai unwittingly becomes the manager for a girls' lacrosse club team. While only lasting five volumes between 2012 and 2013, Cross Manage features an eclectic cast of characters and an enigmatic, compelling storyline that even those who aren't sports fans can enjoy.
3. Rave Master
Although during its heyday the manga ran for nearly 300 chapters between 1999 and 2005, Hiro Mashima's Rave Master is essentially a forgotten title at this point. The story itself follows Haru Glory on an action-packed quest to find the five sacred stone pieces of the Rave. A big reason Rave Master faded from popularity, at least outside of Japan, was due to a rather poor localization. However, the manga is still excellent and also, notably, features Plue from Fairy Tale as Lucy's pet friend.
2. Stealth Symphony
Stealth Symphony, which ran from 2013 until 2014, is an action-fantasy combo pack. Written by Ryohgo Narita, the manga features a young man named Jig with a curse placed on his back and follows him on his journey to find a way to break it. In the manga, Jig is an orphan who travels to a supernatural metropolis filled with elves and dragons taking refuge and living together in harmony. Even though this energetic and colorful series only lasted 21 chapters, Stealth Symphony end with a twist ending that gives new meaning to going out with a bang.
1. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan
Hiroshi Shiibashi's Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, which ran from 2008 until 2012, follows Rikuo Nura, a human boy who is also 1/4th demon, or "yōkai," and his struggle with these two parts of himself. Rikuo is the youngest heir to a powerful demon family known as the Nura Clan. While attempting to find a balance between the demon and human worlds, Rikuo must also come to terms with the duality within himself so he can lead others demons under his flag of "fear." This series was widely popular at the time of release, staying a top-ranked manga for several years in a row. Nura eventually came to an end after over 200 chapters. However, the series is not now as widely talked about as it was around the time of its release, but with elements like family, spirits, and demons, Nura deserves recognition in retrospect.
While there are just some of the unsung gems Shonen Jump has published over the years and thus this list isn't inclusive, these are all worth the time for those who haven't experienced them before, truly making them the hidden gems of the publication's collection.