Summary
Jujutsu Kaisen breaks with shounen tradition by focusing on the humorous battle between Takaba and Kenjaku, demonstrating the author’s unique storytelling style. The introduction to Japanese comedy in the middle of the main plot seems random, but Akutami makes it worth reading. This unexpected approach is what made Jujutsu Kaisen so popular, revolutionizing the shōnen genre while remaining true to its most prized styles.
Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Jujutsu Kaisen #241Yhe perfect sequel to the biggest, most anticipated fight in Jujutsu KaisenThe history of the series is not an even bigger, more epic clash, in typical shōnen manga style, but a battle between the saga’s more outlandish characters, Takaba, against the The true villain of the series – Kenjaku. The shift in focus to this headache-inducing subplot seems oddly misguided, that is unless one understands Akutami’s asymmetrical creative style and love of the shōnen manga tradition.
One of the long-standing traditions of fighting manga and shōnen superheroes is the “big fight.” Building up over weeks, months, or even years, the big fight is the one fans look forward to the most at any given point in the story. The fight always results in a major change or interruption in the story.
Indeed, the consequences of a major war are often the same. The aftermath story can take many forms, but it is almost always tied to or refers to the aftermath of the battle that has just taken place. At least, it certainly doesn’t go in a direction that seems unrelated to Japanese stand-up comedy.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s next big fight is all about comedy
Gege Akutami flips that traditional script in Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter #241. Indeed, after the death of the most famous character in the series, Satoru Gojo, at the hands of Ryomen Sukuna, no one expected Jujutsu Kaisen to shift its focus to the fight between Takaba and Kenjaku, where Takaba promises to make Kenjaku laugh. This goes against tradition that manga fans are used to, but it’s nothing new to Jujutsu Kaisen.
Akutami’s history of strange side stories that fall outside the usual flow of the story is known to manga followers. The ending between Kenjaku – Takaba definitely separates from the main plot, but not in the random, haphazard way that is considered filler. Indeed, Akutami has a deep interest in Japanese comedy as he gives some informative details on the subject through his explanation of Takaba’s background. Furthermore, Akutami has an incredibly creative way of bringing these endings back to the main story.
The Jujutsu Kaisen creator’s unique yet disturbing style has made the series a success
This style of storytelling often moves Jujutsu Kaisen fans. Considering the apocalyptic battle between Gojo and Sukuna had just ended, the decision to have Kenjaku fight Takaba and make comedy the focus of their battle was something no one could have foreseen. However, this brand of creativity is exactly what made Jujutsu Kaisen so popular, allowing the series to revolutionize the shounen genre while remaining faithful to its most critically acclaimed stories.
Jujutsu Kaisen available from Viz Media and Manga Plus.
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