Jujutsu Kaisen has rightfully earned its place among the greatest shonen anime of all time. This acclaim is reflected not only in impressive metrics such as high ratings and numerous awards but also in its strong cultural impact and a dedicated fanbase that continues to flourish, even as the manga nears its conclusion in fall 2024.Despite its success, the series exhibits some notable limitations.
One of the primary challenges that Jujutsu Kaisen shares with My Hero Academia revolves around the settings of key narrative arcs. Both series often shift the focus away from the educational institutions that serve as their foundations. This oversight becomes particularly evident since both narratives primarily feature protagonists of high school age who should be learning heroism through their experiences at school.
The Need for More School-Centric Storylines in Jujutsu Kaisen
Declining Focus on Jujutsu High After Initial Episodes
Throughout much of Jujutsu Kaisen, significant character development and thrilling combat sequences occur well outside of Jujutsu High, the institution where Yuji Itadori first harnesses his powers after consuming Sukuna’s finger. Initially, the series prominently showcases the school as Yuji meets key figures such as Gojo and his classmates. However, as the plot progresses, the school becomes an increasingly neglected aspect of the storyline. Post-season one, the protagonist and his companions traverse across Japan to confront curses, minimizing the narrative’s potential richness within the confines of their academic environment.
Expanding on the characters’ school life could have enriched the story, showcasing the rigorous training that molds them into powerful sorcerers. Although there are glimpses of this, such as Gojo’s film-watching sessions designed to develop Yuji’s emotional control, the series misses several opportunities to emphasize the characters’ educational journeys. More such moments could have illustrated the hardships faced by characters striving to excel as sorcerers.
Highlighting the Underrated Heroes of Jujutsu High
Undervalued Characters Deserve More Exposure
Increasing the number of school-centric arcs would allow more time for the characters affiliated with Jujutsu High to shine. Figures such as Shoko Ieiri, Utahime Iori, and Yaga Masamichi remain enigmatic, often making only brief appearances throughout the series. While some, like Shoko, resurface later, providing deeper insights into these crucial characters within the school setting could significantly enrich the plot.
Without the guidance of wise educators such as Gojo, the next generation of jujutsu sorcerers would lack the necessary training to combat formidable foes like Kenjaku and Sukuna. Yuji’s journey from an ordinary high school student to a powerful jujutsu sorcerer highlights this necessity for robust educational foundations. More arcs set in Jujutsu High would enable viewers to observe how characters like Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara evolve under the mentorship of their school’s talented instructors.
Improving Narrative Pacing with School Scenes
Allowing Emotional Processing Time Through School-Focused Narratives
Additionally, integrating more school-related narratives could enhance the pacing of the series, which often feels rapid between explosive battles. A common critique among fans is that during climactic arcs, especially toward the finale when the sorcerers confront Sukuna, the battles unfold closely together with minimal time for viewers to digest the emotionally charged moments that transpired.
The breathtaking battle scenes of Jujutsu Kaisen deserve more weight. Introducing pauses in the action for school life, downtime, or training sessions would contribute to a more balanced narrative structure, allowing the emotional consequences of fights, including significant character losses, to resonate more deeply with the audience. Transitioning back to Jujutsu High would not only enrich character development but also maintain the overarching narrative flow.
Parallels with My Hero Academia’s Structure
Exploring School Life in My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia, like Jujutsu Kaisen, suffers from similar issues regarding the portrayal of school life. Just as Yuji navigates his newfound sorcery, Deku grapples with the tremendous weight of an unexpected ability, learning to grow into a formidable hero. While My Hero Academia includes training arcs and crucial education moments, numerous significant events also take place off-campus, detracting from the high school experience.
The introduction of dorm life at U. A.High has helped establish a better balance between academic moments and outside adventures. However, capturing more interactions within U. A.High, such as attending classes and experiencing typical high school dramas, would have further enriched the storyline. Both Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia stand out in the anime landscape, and hinting at deeper school dynamics would certainly elevate their narratives.
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