Jujutsu Kaisen's Epic Anime Arc Revolutionizes Shonen - Here's Why!

Warning! The following contains major spoilers for Jujutus Kaisen's Shibuya Incident arc! Manga enthusiasts have been buzzing about Jujutsu Kaisen's Shibuya Incident arc since its initial release. While those who only follow the anime might perceive this excitement as exaggerated, it is indeed justified. This arc was so remarkable that it left an indelible impact on both the original series and the shonen genre as a whole, showcasing Gege Akutami's bold willingness to take creative risks in their manga, which paid off phenomenally in this particular arc.

Prior to the Shibuya Incident, Jujutsu Kaisen had already explored some dark and intense moments, particularly in the Vs. Mahito arc of season 1. In this arc, the disturbing curse known as Mahito takes the troubled teenager Junpei under his wing, subjecting him to a gruesome transformation while Yuji helplessly looks on. This harrowing moment proved to be emotionally gut-wrenching due to its cruel nature and unexpectedness. The character arc of Junpei, intertwined with his relationship with Yuji, seemed to suggest a possibility of friendship and protection against Mahito and his allies, yet the reality proved to be far more tragic. However, as dark as this arc might have been, it pales in comparison to the sheer intensity and magnitude of the Shibuya Incident.

The Shibuya Incident Made Jujutsu Kaisen Much Darker

Prior to the Shibuya Incident, Gojo had always come to the rescue whenever a threat arose. However, at the start of the Shibuya Incident arc, Gojo is sealed away, leaving the other sorcerers to face the Disaster Curses alone. This pushes them to their limits, resulting in characters like Fushiguro showcasing even more powerful techniques. However, their efforts begin to feel futile, leading to unexpected twists in Jujutsu Kaisen's storyline. In addition, Yuji's loss against Choso enables Sukuna to unleash chaos on the city, permanently changing Yuji. This arc completely upends the series' status quo in a necessary but considerably darker manner. With Gojo absent, the higher authorities of Jujutsu Society target those he once protected, including Principal Yaga and Yuji. Moreover, Kenjaku's Culling Game plan drastically alters the series' format. However, the most significant impact of this infamous arc is the shift to a darker tone in the series. After the events in Shibuya, no character feels safe, and the series explores its potential for darkness and cruelty without limitations. This eventually leads to an even greater twist in the manga, fully embracing Jujutsu Kaisen's renowned horror themes.

The Shibuya Incident had a significant impact on Jujutsu Kaisen by adding a darker element to the series. This pushed the boundaries within the shonen genre, making it more controversial. The full extent of this impact may not be fully understood yet, but it has certainly influenced the plot and tone of the manga, completely altering its course.