WhileJujutsu Kaisen’s dark fantasy and supernatural elements get the most attention from fans and critics, its true genius lies in its focus on one of the moretraditional aspects of shōnen manga, namely fighting, combat, and battles between rivals for supremacy. At its core,Jujutsu Kaisenis a battle manga – and one of the best to have ever been published.
A large element of the shōnen manga industry’s vitality owes itself to the battle manga. Battle manga refers to the substrata of manga wherein battle and combat are central to the plot and the characters’ development. Naturally, conflict is evident in most manga and anime, but in battle manga, explosive conflicts are the key moments that drive the story forward. Moreover, the fights in battle manga don’t just tend to be normal. Rather, they are epic knock-down, drag-out tussles between rivals who have nothing but hatred for one another.
In Jujutsu Kaisen Is A Battle Manga In Sorcerer’s Clothing
Jujutsu Sorcerers Don’t Need Magic To Beat You Down
While combat and fights are fundamental to battle manga, the genre’s best titles don’t stop there. Outside epic fights, the best battle manga also include other elements that increase the importance and attraction of fights. First, there must be key rivalries. Nothing gets fans more hyped for a big brawl than two characters who will stop at nothing to prove their superiority. Second, there must be aclear and present explanation of power systems. How else can fans judge the outcome if they don’t understand the powers and abilities of the opponents?
All chapters ofJujutsu Kaisen’smanga are available both on Viz’s Shonen Jump app and Shueisha’s own Jump+ app.
Third, the fights cannot be an end in themselves. In line with their use of pushing the story forward, fights must be depicted in a way that promotes character growth and development. In other words, regardless of the outcome, fighting imbues some benefit for the protagonist. Outside of these three traits, the best battle manga also includes several other elements, such as discussions of the tactics and strategies opponents use to overcome barriers to their success or ‘lock in’ defenses to their weaknesses.
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Fighting Is The Rule, And Not The Exception
Applying these battle manga metrics toJujutsu Kaisen, it’s clear that the series deserves to be in the conversation about the greatest battle manga of all time. First,there areJujutsu Kaisen’sepic fights. While some battles are short and intense, like the one that opens the series, where Megumi and Yuji face off against a curse unleashed at the school, others are long and drawn out, such as the recent months-long struggle to defeat Sukuna inJujutsu Kaisen’smanga.
Regardless of their duration, every fight inJujutsu Kaisenis legendary. The battles are not only thrilling and visually stunning, but they also leave readers with a sense of excitement and awe. While creator Gege Akutami often frames these fights with magic and sorcery, their core is rooted in classic, old-fashioned hand-to-hand combat. One of the reasons Sukuna was so difficult to defeat is his remarkable ability to endure physical punishment while simultaneously overpowering his opponents.
Jujutsu Kaisenalso boasts equally epic rivalries. These rivalries have captivated fans, who’ve often waited years to see them play out on the battlefield. While theGojo-Sukuna rivalry— pitting the greatest living sorcerer against the greatest sorcerer ever — immediately comes to mind, several other compelling rivalries have driven the story for much of its run. These include the tensions between the Tokyo and Kyoto schools of sorcery, Yuji and Mahito, Maki and Mai, Maki and the Zenin Clan, and, of course, Kenjaku and Gojo. In short, the series has more than enough tension and conflict to fuel its epic battles.
Jujutsu Kaisen Was Filled With Unforgettable Fights Between Manga’s Most Interesting Characters
The Fights Advance Character Arcs & Move the Plot Forward In Interesting Ways
If epic fights and intense rivalries aren’t enough,Jujutsu Kaisenalso features a fascinating power system. This power system is both one of its most intriguing and one of its most complex elements, adding an extra layer of depth to the battles. Take, for example,Gojo’s Infinity technique— an incredibly overpowered ability that, for much of the series, made Gojo seem untouchable. Then there’s Yuki Tsukumo’s innate technique, which allows her to increase her mass to such an extent that her punches have the impact of a mountain dropping on an opponent’s head.
For a good number ofJujutsu Kaisenfans, figuring out and understanding how the power systems work, including their strengths and weaknesses, has been a series highlight. Moreover, the debates within the fandom about how these power systems would fare against different opponents have fostered a strong sense of community. These discussions have contributed to the creation of some of the most informative and engaging fandom in modern manga. But outside the fights, what makes Jujutsu Kaisen especially compelling to me is how those battles push both the characters and the story forward.
Fighting In Jujutsu Kaisen Is How Characters Grow
Gege Akutami is known for subtly using scenes, commentary, and props in earlier chapters to foreshadow major events or developments later on. More often than not, these reveals occur during the fights. Perhaps the best example of this isNobara’s sudden return in Chapter #267. While most fans believed she had no chance of returning, Akutami had already laid the groundwork for her comeback much earlier.
In Chapter #126, Arata Nitta, who treated Nobara after her injury, hinted that she might be saved, though without guarantees. Both her “death” and “rebirth,” which took place during intense fight scenes, are among the most memorable moments in the series. These instances perfectly illustrate how battles, far from being mere fan service, are essential to advancing the story.
Jujutsu Kaisen Already Proved Why Sukuna AND Gojo’s Key Philosophy Is Wrong
Yuji’s desire to fight for the people he loves goes directly against Gojo and Sukuna’s belief that love is not necessary to be strong.
Lastly, but certainly not least,Jujutsu Kaisenuses fights as vital opportunities for character development. Whether you’re a sorcerer or a curse, if you survive a battle inJujutsu Kaisen, Akutami always ensures that you learn something. You either adapt by changing your fighting style or approach to avoid similar situations in the future, or you undergo profound, life-altering changes.
Perhaps the best example of this is the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna. Despite being a sorcerer/curse who lived centuries ago, his ability to continuously update his skill set in real-time battles is one of the most overpowered abilities in the series. This highlights the transformative nature of combat inJujutsu Kaisenand exemplifies why it stands as one of the best battle manga, period.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisenis a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna’s finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
