There have been many new popular shounen anime coming out in the past decade. All ranging in quality from the mediocre fire force, to the record-breaking Demon slayer. However, many of these shounen series have fallen into the same boring, and predictable tropes, barely being different from each other.
However, jujutsu kaisen manages to take inspiration from its shounen brethren while staying fresh, rather than becoming another mediocre shounen clone. So, let’s dive in and dissect how Jujutsu kaisen manages to stand above the rest shall we!
Horror
Jujutsu kaisen has a very unique theme of horror that is uncommon in your avid shounen. Most shounens are generally light hearted, and are generally very accessible comfort shows for everyone to watch. None of the threats are generally too serious, because of how generic their designs are?
Sometimes they will have a tent of edge to them, like bleachs hollows and demon slayers demons. But JJK takes its monstrosities to another level of gruesome designs; similar to chutulu like entities.
However, the horror elements just don’t stop there. The tension of nigh unwinnable battles being common place for our heroes. We witness how terrified they are being out of their league. The chance of serious consequences feels real in JJK unlike your standard shounen such as naruto.
Curses
Jujutsu Kaisen follows the popular trope of demon slaying; probably the most standard theme in shounen anime. However, most of these shows quickly throw the standard enemies in favor of your standard badass super humans. Most notably with bleaches hollows being replaced with the espada.
However, JJK doesn’t throw away its core antagonist. JJK embraces the curses as the legitime threats from the get go. JJK has established different power levels that keep the curses as a major threat for all sorcerers. Each varying in intelligence and power.
The chosen one protagonist
The chosen one is probably the most iconic trope in shounen; I could like 5 anime off the top of my head that fits that description. The chosen hero that is fated by destiny to save the world, such as naruto. However, yuji is unique in this aspect because he’s doomed to death regardless if he succeeds in his mission or not.
And the way Yuji handles this difficult dilemma of his typical high school life ending in an abrupt calamity of events. From his gramps dying, to his friends almost getting killed, to being used as a tool in a ridiculously dangerously mission with no reward but death. His fate of destiny isn’t no happy go lucky sunshine and rainbow, it’s filled with cruelty.
The badass mentor
Every shounen anime has a powerful mentor that instantly becomes the fan favorite. Kakashi from naruto being the perfect example. It’s no surprise the author of JJK takes heavy inspiration with Gojo. From the white hair, to the mask, to his laid-back personality.
However, Gojos stands apart for just being a better version of kakashi himself. As of now, Gojos character hasn’t been shit on by kakashi. Every scene of him has been a perfect portrayal of his character. Seeing Gojo go all out against Jogo is far more entertaining than anything kakashi has done in his LIFE!
A better team 7
Speaking of naruto. Jujutsu kaisen follows a trio of diverse and hyper energetic talented students. Each follows a typical archetype; Yuji being the idiot MC, Nobera being the tsundere, an fushi being the edgy loner. However, they are FAAAAAR more likeable than the naruto trio.
Yuji isn’t as annoying as naruto and doesn't spew talk no jutsu, about how he will be the hokage and convincing enemies to become friends. Fushi isn’t as edgy and cruel as sasuke. Nor has he gone rouge and attempted to murder his loved ones.
Nobera is actually a strong independent woman who doesn’t simp over some loser. She has her own set of goals and strengths that set her apart from her useless counterpart sakura.
The narrative
The big 3 shounen popularized the format of overly long drawn out shounen. Now that the big 3 is mainly dead except one piece, and boruto IS NOT part of the big 3. It belongs in a pile of shit.
Jujutsu kaisen handles its pace in a quick and timely manner. None of the fights have been drawn out like bleach, nor has yujis training arc like hitman reborns multiple dreaded and boring training arcs.
Sakuna is a better kurama
An inner evil self is very common theme in shounen anime. Most notably with ichigos inner hollow and narutos kurama. Yuji has sakuna, the most powerful curse ever to reign the world. This is similar to ichigoes inner hollow that was barely relevant in the long run, compared to kurama and sakuna.
And out of the entirety of naruto, Kurama wasn’t given much personality compared to Sakuna. From the get go, sakuna is far more interesting and intimidating than kurama wishes he could be.
The Villains
Writing good villains is the hardest part of any story. Demon slayer is the recent best example of writing empathic villains while still giving them just punishment.
Unlike naruto, where he preaches the power of friendship, befriending every villain like nothing happened...
In JJK villains are cruel and intimidating while having empathic goals to be human, making the encounters far more compelling and unpredictable.
Balancing tone
Many shounen lean on the lighthearted side, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, demon slayer, JJK, and promised neverland are bringing back the dark and mature themes like the shounen of the old.
However, JJK also balances out witty humor akin to OPM with its dark and gritty moments, not overpowering each other.
The side characters
Keeping the side characters interesting is one of the major struggles many shounens go through. Some are amazing at incorporating side characters for world building such as one piece. While others fail at managing it’s cast, leaving them stranded in the background such as bleach with chad, orihime, and uryu getting sidelined and becoming useless compared to the rest.
Even a good portion of soul society characters are mostly forgotten for the most part. Don’t even get me started on naruto, that’s a way worse pile of shit!
However, JJK has kept it’s cast tight nit, each competent and intriguing, while not getting overshadowed by yuji.
However, jujutsu kaisen manages to take inspiration from its shounen brethren while staying fresh, rather than becoming another mediocre shounen clone. So, let’s dive in and dissect how Jujutsu kaisen manages to stand above the rest shall we!
Horror
Jujutsu kaisen has a very unique theme of horror that is uncommon in your avid shounen. Most shounens are generally light hearted, and are generally very accessible comfort shows for everyone to watch. None of the threats are generally too serious, because of how generic their designs are?
Sometimes they will have a tent of edge to them, like bleachs hollows and demon slayers demons. But JJK takes its monstrosities to another level of gruesome designs; similar to chutulu like entities.
However, the horror elements just don’t stop there. The tension of nigh unwinnable battles being common place for our heroes. We witness how terrified they are being out of their league. The chance of serious consequences feels real in JJK unlike your standard shounen such as naruto.
Curses
Jujutsu Kaisen follows the popular trope of demon slaying; probably the most standard theme in shounen anime. However, most of these shows quickly throw the standard enemies in favor of your standard badass super humans. Most notably with bleaches hollows being replaced with the espada.
However, JJK doesn’t throw away its core antagonist. JJK embraces the curses as the legitime threats from the get go. JJK has established different power levels that keep the curses as a major threat for all sorcerers. Each varying in intelligence and power.
The chosen one protagonist
The chosen one is probably the most iconic trope in shounen; I could like 5 anime off the top of my head that fits that description. The chosen hero that is fated by destiny to save the world, such as naruto. However, yuji is unique in this aspect because he’s doomed to death regardless if he succeeds in his mission or not.
And the way Yuji handles this difficult dilemma of his typical high school life ending in an abrupt calamity of events. From his gramps dying, to his friends almost getting killed, to being used as a tool in a ridiculously dangerously mission with no reward but death. His fate of destiny isn’t no happy go lucky sunshine and rainbow, it’s filled with cruelty.
The badass mentor
Every shounen anime has a powerful mentor that instantly becomes the fan favorite. Kakashi from naruto being the perfect example. It’s no surprise the author of JJK takes heavy inspiration with Gojo. From the white hair, to the mask, to his laid-back personality.
However, Gojos stands apart for just being a better version of kakashi himself. As of now, Gojos character hasn’t been shit on by kakashi. Every scene of him has been a perfect portrayal of his character. Seeing Gojo go all out against Jogo is far more entertaining than anything kakashi has done in his LIFE!
A better team 7
Speaking of naruto. Jujutsu kaisen follows a trio of diverse and hyper energetic talented students. Each follows a typical archetype; Yuji being the idiot MC, Nobera being the tsundere, an fushi being the edgy loner. However, they are FAAAAAR more likeable than the naruto trio.
Yuji isn’t as annoying as naruto and doesn't spew talk no jutsu, about how he will be the hokage and convincing enemies to become friends. Fushi isn’t as edgy and cruel as sasuke. Nor has he gone rouge and attempted to murder his loved ones.
Nobera is actually a strong independent woman who doesn’t simp over some loser. She has her own set of goals and strengths that set her apart from her useless counterpart sakura.
The narrative
The big 3 shounen popularized the format of overly long drawn out shounen. Now that the big 3 is mainly dead except one piece, and boruto IS NOT part of the big 3. It belongs in a pile of shit.
Jujutsu kaisen handles its pace in a quick and timely manner. None of the fights have been drawn out like bleach, nor has yujis training arc like hitman reborns multiple dreaded and boring training arcs.
Sakuna is a better kurama
An inner evil self is very common theme in shounen anime. Most notably with ichigos inner hollow and narutos kurama. Yuji has sakuna, the most powerful curse ever to reign the world. This is similar to ichigoes inner hollow that was barely relevant in the long run, compared to kurama and sakuna.
And out of the entirety of naruto, Kurama wasn’t given much personality compared to Sakuna. From the get go, sakuna is far more interesting and intimidating than kurama wishes he could be.
The Villains
Writing good villains is the hardest part of any story. Demon slayer is the recent best example of writing empathic villains while still giving them just punishment.
Unlike naruto, where he preaches the power of friendship, befriending every villain like nothing happened...
In JJK villains are cruel and intimidating while having empathic goals to be human, making the encounters far more compelling and unpredictable.
Balancing tone
Many shounen lean on the lighthearted side, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, demon slayer, JJK, and promised neverland are bringing back the dark and mature themes like the shounen of the old.
However, JJK also balances out witty humor akin to OPM with its dark and gritty moments, not overpowering each other.
The side characters
Keeping the side characters interesting is one of the major struggles many shounens go through. Some are amazing at incorporating side characters for world building such as one piece. While others fail at managing it’s cast, leaving them stranded in the background such as bleach with chad, orihime, and uryu getting sidelined and becoming useless compared to the rest.
Even a good portion of soul society characters are mostly forgotten for the most part. Don’t even get me started on naruto, that’s a way worse pile of shit!
However, JJK has kept it’s cast tight nit, each competent and intriguing, while not getting overshadowed by yuji.
Better than Bleach ?
