Kara Dennison
February 6, 2025 
With Undead Unluck, Mission: Yozakura Family, and now Hakutaku all leaving the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump, there’s room for a new contender. And this week, one came in swinging… or should that be kicking? Embers is a new title written Kei Kuramazaki and illustrated by former Blue Lock assistant Satoru Nishii. And it’s only taken one chapter for us to be interested in this aggressive new sports drama.
Equal parts Blue Lock and Wind Breaker, this manga brings new meaning to the term “football hooligan.”
The Story
The star of Embers is Haitani, a super-strong delinquent kid who’s constantly challenged to fights. He’s also constantly in trouble. But rather than kicking him out, a teacher named Oshimi seeks to redirect Haitani’s energy. The teacher challenges the boy to a one-on-one soccer match, which Oshimi handily wins. Every time Haitani masters a new soccer move, he can challenge Oshimi again. Before long, the student finds himself enjoying his new pastime—and brings friends with him.
As the premiere chapter continues, we see the delinquent soccer team aiming for organized play. They’ve got the energy, they’ve got the spirit. But can they beat star high school players? Not in their first game, no. But they’re not letting that stop them.
The Spirit
In the final pages of Chapter 1 of Embers, Haitani and his new team face off against some of the most promising players out there. Unlike this new delinquent team, they’ve been trained from childhood to have all the right skills and motivations. But just because Haitani can’t win doesn’t mean he’s going to make it easy for his opponents. He may not have the same training, but he does have an indomitable spirit.
That spirit, plus Oshimi’s mentorship, leads to a major sea change for Haitani. He improves enough to get into a high school with an excellent soccer program. He’s definitely the odd one out in this setting, but it’s exciting to think about where this new character will go.
What Lies Ahead
Embers definitely has a unique start, and one that somewhat combats the mentality of the hit series Blue Lock while still courting its readership. On the one hand, both series focus on the grit and determination it takes to succeed at soccer. On the other, that grit and determination come from two very different places in each series. But one chapter does not a whole series make. Could Haitani’s perspective change as he studies soccer, or will he maintain his fierce approach?
Similarly, it’s still early doors for Embers. Will this series survive, or is it a prospective member of the ill-fated U19 Club? We’re hoping to have plenty of time to get to know Haitani and his teammates and see where that thirst to win takes them!
Read Embers every week on the Viz website and Shonen Jump app!
