Versus Manga: A Fresh Take on Hero vs Demon Battles: Best Shonen Award Winner
Get ready for a thrilling new manga that’s shaking up the shonen world with intense battles, deep themes, and a story that pushes the boundaries of heroism
Image Via by ONE
Versus, a manga by ONE, the creator of One-Punch Man and Mob Psycho 100, won the Best Shonen award at the 2025 Kodansha Manga Award. This award have been given since 1977. It honors the best manga. Winning shows how popular Versus is becoming in the shonen genre.
Versus Manga: A Unique Storyline with Complex Themes
Versus is a manga where 47 heroes fight 47 demons across different worlds. It adds a new twist to the usual hero-vs-demon story. Versus is special because it combines action with deep themes, like ONE’s other works. The manga looks at survival, human struggles, and the chaos of battle. It’s more than just fighting.
The story is praised for being complex and not just about simple heroism. It explores themes like identity and purpose, which are common in ONE’s work. Fans of his previous stories will notice themes of inner conflict and character growth.
Winner of Best Shonen at the 2025 Kodansha Manga Awards: "Versus" by ONE (Mob Psycho 100, One Punch-Man), Azuma Kyoutarou, bose
— Manga Mogura RE (Anime & Manga News) (@MangaMoguraRE) May 12, 2025
Action Fantasy about 47 Heroes chosen to fight 47 demons but nothing goes as planned. Quickly it turns into a desperate battle for mankind's survival… pic.twitter.com/MGCvQKZiuE
A New Chapter for ONE with Kodansha
"Versus," published by Kodansha and available in English through K Manga, started in 2022 in Shounen Sirius Magazine. This is ONE’s first big partnership with Kodansha, a change from his earlier self-publishing. This shift has given "Versus" a cleaner, more polished art style, reaching a larger global audience. The move to a major publisher helped with better distribution, leading to more recognition and a bigger impact on fans around the world.
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With its recent win at the Kodansha Manga Awards, Versus is becoming well-known in shonen manga. The series has impressed both readers and critics with its strong story and the detailed world created by ONE. As the story moves forward, it’s clear that it will keep capturing the imagination of manga fans everywhere.
In short, Versus shows that ONE’s talent for creating exciting and meaningful stories is still strong, even with a change in how it’s published. The story has deep themes, thrilling battles, and creative storytelling. Because of this, Versus has earned its place among the top in its genre. Fans are excited to see what comes next in this captivating story.
Written By “Sujoy Bhowmik - India Today Gaming”
