Jujutsu Kaisen's Shocking Scene Pushes the Shonen Genre to New Heights

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 episode #11! Jujutsu Kaisen has always been known for its unsettling visuals, but one particular episode in Season 2 takes it to a whole new level for a Shonen anime. It's no surprise that a series as dark as Jujutsu Kaisen would explore horror and gore in bold ways, but this specific scene is truly shocking.

In episode #11 of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, the villainous sorcerer Awasaka reflects on a time before Gojo's birth when he had the freedom to indulge in his darkest desires. He nostalgically recalls a macabre practice of burying people alive in the woods, leaving only their heads exposed, and gruesomely ripping off their faces. Unlike typical Shonen anime that would suggest this without showing the actual act, Jujutsu Kaisen goes all out by vividly depicting Awasaka making an incision at the back of his victim's head and peeling their face away with his hands.

Jujutsu Kaisen is Pushing the Limits of Gore in Shonen Anime

This scene in a Shonen anime is incredibly disturbing, as it presents gruesome subject matter with intricate detail. It is not the first time that this series has depicted such disturbing content. In fact, Jujutsu Kaisen's anime has even intensified the disturbing nature of its villains by implying their involvement in the deaths of children. There have been other anime series that have also included gruesome scenes, like the infamous brain surgery scene in the Chimera Ant arc of Hunter x Hunter. However, in most cases, these scenes tend to imply horror rather than fully animate it in a graphic manner. This particular scene in Jujutsu Kaisen suggests a potential shift in how disturbing content is displayed in Shonen anime.

This may signify a growing trend towards darkness in new Shonen series. Jujutsu Kaisen is part of what is known as the "Dark Trio," which also includes Chainsaw Man and Hell's Paradise. All three series, published in Shonen Jump, are considered to have a darker and more mature approach compared to their predecessors. However, the increasing acceptance of gore and dark themes in anime can be arguably attributed to the success of Attack on Titan, which became a massive hit despite its extensive portrayal of graphic violence that might deter more sensitive viewers. It is worth noting that the studio responsible for animating Jujutsu Kaisen is also behind Chainsaw Man, Hell's Paradise, and the concluding season of Attack on Titan.

Jujutsu Kaisen Sets A Violent Example For Future Shonen to Follow

The implication that only Studio MAPPA is willing to produce dark and graphic Shonen series overlooks the genre's recent trend towards more grotesque imagery. Therefore, the presence of the sadistic Awasaka in this particular Jujutsu Kaisen scene is likely a signal of future Shonen scenes pushing boundaries in terms of gore and violence. Catch Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 episode #11 now streaming on Crunchyroll.