Jujutsu Kaisen is a truly special manga in my eyes. Many readers may read the first few arcs thinking it's another one of your standard Shounen that doesn't really do anything unique. Season 2, however, is going to change this. Starting with Shibuya, this manga explodes with world building, character development, and great characters with even greater powers and techniques. Despite this, there a few not totally insignificant flaws that could very well upset people. I will try to keep spoilers to a minimum in this review.
Story: 10/10
If you like dark, painful, and misery filled stories filled to the brim with the endless suffering of
...
all the characters you've grown to like, you will love Jujutsu Kaisen. People die, and the stakes become so high once The Shibuya Incident ended. Ever since the start of this series, there have been seeds planted for huge, massive reveals and twists. After recently rewatching season 1 and binge reading the entirety of the manga, this is plain to see. While it may seem very confusing and overwhelming at times, all I can say is quite simply, "Read better". Almost any confusion or complain anyone has has an explanation to it, and many people will still claim plot holes and asspulls where there aren't any. This doesn't mean it isn't very confusing at times, though. There are many concepts and ideas that are talked about and seen that are just too foreign to really understand. Gege Akutami takes a very heavy influence from Buddhist and Shinto beliefs, and unless you already know the history around these beliefs, you might struggle and it might push you away. To that, I say to read TCB Scans translations, where they include extra content for those extra confusing ideas to help readers understand what's happening.
Characters: 9/10
The characters that are introduced over the course of the series are absolutely fantastic. From Sukuna and Gojo cementing themselves as the strongest right from the start, to Toji being introduced and annihilating Gojo with zero effort, all the way to Ryu, Takako, Kashimo, Hakari, and Higuruma in the Culling Games. Maki and Mai in the Perfect Preparation arc, and then Maki again in the Culling Games. Every major character is so unique and they each have their own goals and ideals that set them apart from one another. Gege hasn't hit the mark with everyone, however. I won't go into Yorozu. Many characters to this day have not been given any kind of development at all, or have just been totally forgotten about as a whole. What Gege has done with Nobara specifically will definitely be upsetting to many, having taken her out of the story for 3 years and not given any kind of update on her. Yuki Tsukumo is also a missed opportunity. Despite this, having Gakuganji and even Utahime having some importance in the final arc makes it look like things are heading in the right direction in this regard.
Art/Designs: 8/10
Gege's artstyle has certainly changed over the years, and I would argue it's gotten a bit worse. It is by no means bad, but the artstyle during Shibuya really was the peak of Gege's art. That's not to say we haven't gotten some absolutely stunningly beautiful panels over the years. It can be somewhat tough to follow along in especially wild battles though. The character designs are all great, as well. The creativity of various cursed spirits is also incredibly impressive, with some being gross and creepy enough to make you grimace.
Power System: 10/10
Cursed energy is such a well made, well thought out power system and is one of the best, up there with Stands from Jojo's. Domain Expansion are always so exciting, and seeing how a characters technique translates into Domain is always fun. Figuring out especially confusing techniques is almost like a game, and fully understanding them is the prize. Powers such as the Zenin's Projection Sorcery, Yuki's Bom Ba Ye which adds "Virtual Mass", Higurma's courtroom themed Domain Expansion, and Kashim's pachinko parlor themed Domain Expansion that gives him infinite cursed energy are fantastically made, and it really excites me to see what kind of new abilities we see in the future.
Pacing: 8/10
After skipping over countless potential developments to get to the final battle as soon as possible, the pacing has gotten a bit rough. There have been numerous plot points or just small things that have happened that we don't see, and it can be fairly jarring to see. Seeing someone lose their arm with now way of getting it back in the foreseeable future, only for them to have it back next time we see them is a bit confusing, but can be explained with Reverse Cursed Technique. These things being skipped over can be frustrating or even disappointing to some, and I would agree. Why was Miwa in Sendai colony? We don't have time to elaborate on something like that, for some reason, but it
Overall: 10/10
Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen is truly special, and is an absolute masterpiece in manga despite the few flaws you may find here and there. It features some of the highest highs in modern day shounen, and is absolutely well worth your time and attention. Now that we are officially in the final arc of the series after the conclusion of the Culling Games, it's looking likely we'll, at the very least, get a somewhat satisfying conclusion to this incredible journey. If you're still hesitant on starting, or dropped it prior the Shibuya Incident arc, then I would recommend you wait for Season 2 to release. If that doesn't convince you Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the greats,, then it's just probably just not for you.
SATORU GOJO WILL PREVAIL
ONLY THE STRONGEST WIN
May 28, 2023
Jujutsu Kaisen
(Manga)
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Jujutsu Kaisen is a truly special manga in my eyes. Many readers may read the first few arcs thinking it's another one of your standard Shounen that doesn't really do anything unique. Season 2, however, is going to change this. Starting with Shibuya, this manga explodes with world building, character development, and great characters with even greater powers and techniques. Despite this, there a few not totally insignificant flaws that could very well upset people. I will try to keep spoilers to a minimum in this review.
Story: 10/10 If you like dark, painful, and misery filled stories filled to the brim with the endless suffering of ... |
