It’s Not Just About Animation: A Comprehensive Look at Jujutsu Kaisen
Introduction
Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the latest shounen anime to gain popularity and find a place among the top anime series. Though the animation and fight scenes of the anime are remarkable, its writing and character development have been the subject of discussion among the viewers. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at Jujutsu Kaisen and examine its strengths and weaknesses. We will break down the anime into five categories that require consideration. First, we will evaluate humor, then we will delve into the show’s action, main characters, storytelling, and, lastly, its themes.
Sukuna’s Cursed Finger 1: Comedy
The Issue with Humor in Jujutsu Kaisen
The comedy in Jujutsu Kaisen leaves much to be desired. The humor falls flat, and it doesn’t blend well with the serious themes of the show. Comedy comes in different flavors, but it seems that Jujutsu Kaisen missed the mark on this one. The timing is off, and the show’s characters tend to act overly idiotic or loud/annoying during random moments, making them less relatable to the viewers.
The Exceptions to the Rule
While the show doesn’t typically land the humor, there are a few exceptions. The characters of the Kyoto School students bring a nice change of pace to the humor, and the quips of Gojou and Yuji Itadori land well with the audience. These characters show that the show has potential in the humor department but needs to put more effort into timing and delivery.
Sukuna’s Consumed Finger 1: Action
The Strength of Jujutsu Kaisen’s Action
Arguably the highlight of the show, the action in Jujutsu Kaisen is breathtaking and impressive. The animators have put every effort into making each fight scene unique and visually appealing. The action sequences feel fluid and well-choreographed, and each character has a unique fighting style. The epic fights between Itadori and Nanami vs. Mahito and the Sister School arc showcase the show’s talents in the action genre.
Sukuna’s Cursed Finger 2: Main Characters
The Unrealized Potential of Jujutsu Kaisen’s Characters
The show’s biggest weakness is its main characters. The audience found the trio of Itadori, Megumi, and Nobara unrelatable and uninteresting. Itadori is a stereotypical dense protagonist used for comedy. His personal beliefs and journey are intriguing, but the show resolves them too conveniently, making it feel unearned. Meanwhile, his two cohorts, Megumi and Nobara, lack development in the narrative. Megumi hardly reacts to any situation, making him appear one-dimensional, while Nobara acts obnoxious during serious situations.
The Importance of Compelling Characters in Shounen Anime
A shounen anime’s success highly depends on its characters. The viewers need to see themselves in the characters and come to appreciate them. Jujutsu Kaisen’s characters are a vast departure from the likable characters of other shounen anime like Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, and My Hero Academia. While we hope to see character growth in the next season, the primary characters of Jujutsu Kaisen need a significant overhaul for the show to succeed in the long run.
Sukuna’s Cursed Finger 3: Storytelling
The Lack of Originality in Jujutsu Kaisen’s Story
The storytelling in Jujutsu Kaisen leaves a lot to be desired. The setup feels similar to other popular animes like Bleach, Boku no Hero, and Yu Yu Hakusho, featuring a society dedicated to exorcising evil spirits and a school of young talented combatants. The story’s lack of originality puts the anime at a disadvantage for setting itself apart from other popular shounens.
Long Term Conflict: A Bright Spot in the Storytelling Department
The show’s long-term story arc between Yuuji and Sukuna, the demon that possesses him, is a bright spot in the show’s writing. It creates the potential for some fantastic storytelling and character development for the duo. The introduction of Getou and his motives opens up new avenues for the storytelling, and the show can use this to its advantage by giving the characters more depth and expanding on the lore of the show.
Sukuna’s Consumed Finger 2: Themes
Examining the Themes of Jujutsu Kaisen
Beneath its flashy animation and epic fight scenes, Jujutsu Kaisen tackles many themes like life and death, morality, and the personal beliefs that shape a person. The show’s narrative shows that there is no clear good or evil in the world, values are relative, and every decision has consequences.
The Importance of Themes in Shounen Anime
Themes are an essential aspect of storytelling in shounen Anime. They give meaning to the story and provide the audience with morals to take away. Naruto and My Hero Academia are prime examples of shounen anime that succeeded in storytelling and character development due to their underlying themes. Jujutsu Kaisen has the potential to do the same and needs to focus more on exploring its themes for viewers to appreciate it fully.
Conclusion
Jujutsu Kaisen has its fair share of highs and lows. The show’s animation and fight sequences are breathtaking, and the long-term story arc between Yuuji and Sukuna leaves immense potential for growth. However, the show falls short in the humor department and has an uninteresting set of primary characters. The lack of originality in the storytelling provides a disadvantage for the show’s long-term success, and while the themes are present, the show could benefit from exploring them more. Will Jujutsu Kaisen overcome its weaknesses and establish itself as one of the great shounen anime in the future? Only time will tell.
FAQ
1. Is Jujutsu Kaisen worth watching?
Jujutsu Kaisen has its strengths, with its animation and action sequences being the standout features. However, the show falls short in the character development and storytelling department. If you enjoy shounen anime with flashy fights and don’t mind uninteresting characters, then Jujutsu Kaisen is worth watching.
2. Is Jujutsu Kaisen overrated?
It depends. The show has received critical acclaim and is popular among the anime community. However, the show’s reception among the viewers has been somewhat mixed, with some praising its animation and action scenes while others pointing out its weaknesses in character development and humor. Whether it’s overrated or not is subjective.
3. Will Jujutsu Kaisen become the next Naruto?
The anime community has been searching for “the next Naruto” since the show ended. While Jujutsu Kaisen has shown potential, it’s too early to say whether it will take the mantle of the next Naruto.
4. Is Jujutsu Kaisen a typical shounen anime?
Yes, Jujutsu Kaisen is typical of shounen anime, with its themes of morality, action sequences, and young protagonist journey. However, it lacks the unique storytelling and character development typically found in other great shounen anime like Naruto and Hunter x Hunter.
5. Will Jujutsu Kaisen improve in the next season?
It’s uncertain whether the next season of Jujutsu Kaisen will address the weaknesses of the show. While the long-term conflict between Yuuji and Sukuna provides immense potential for character growth and worldbuilding, the show’s upcoming second season will need to put in more effort into the humor, characters, and storytelling to satisfy the audience fully.
