Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 achieved widespread success and popularity within the anime industry in 2023, thanks to its well-received adaptation and the popularity of the original manga. However, with the conclusion of the second season, the manga now faces the challenge of maintaining its sales independently.
While this is not a criticism of the story itself, it is something that happens to a lot of manga series out there.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series.
Explaining why the Jujutsu Kaisen manga could potentially face a decline now that the second season of the anime is over
The sales of manga series often decline after their anime adaptation ends, whether it's a season or the series as a whole. Jujutsu Kaisen is likely to face this in the coming months. Anime adaptations typically boost sales by giving the source material more exposure, particularly in Japan where physical copies are still popular.
In 2023, Gege Akutami's story is likely to dominate both the manga and anime industries. The MAPPA anime adaptation was a massive success worldwide, while the manga stirred up excitement with the long-awaited battle between Satoru Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna, a highly anticipated moment in the series.
Given the highly anticipated battle in the manga and the adaptation of the Shibuya Incident arc in the second season of the anime, it's logical to expect that the series may be heading toward its conclusion. Especially since the creator has expressed a desire to end the manga soon and with 247 chapters released so far, it seems that the story may be approaching its end.
The appeal and legacy of Jujutsu Kaisen
Yuji Itadori's now-iconic "I'm you" scene against Mahito (Image via MAPPA).
Jujutsu Kaisen has undeniably made a major impact on the anime and manga industry in recent years, solidifying itself as one of the most successful properties of the medium. Gege Akutami's storytelling, captivating twists, dynamic fight scenes, and compelling characters have garnered widespread acclaim.
It's important to acknowledge that MAPPA Studio also deserves recognition for the franchise's success. Despite controversies surrounding their treatment of workers, MAPPA's animation team has done something remarkable with Akutami's manga, elevating the source material and pushing boundaries.
Final thoughts
With the conclusion of the second season of the anime, there is a strong possibility that the sales of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga may decrease in the following months without a corresponding adaptation to boost its popularity. Nevertheless, this is a common occurrence experienced by many manga series.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I am both excited and apprehensive about the potential consequences of the anime's second season coming to an end. On the one hand, I am eager to see how the story will continue to unfold and what new challenges and adventures await Yuji Itadori and his friends. The anime adaptation has been incredibly well-received, and I have no doubt that the manga will continue to be a success even without the anime to boost its sales.
On the other hand, I am also concerned about the possibility that the manga's sales may decline after the anime ends. I have seen this happen with other manga series in the past, and it is always disappointing to see a beloved series lose popularity. However, I am confident that Gege Akutami's storytelling and MAPPA's animation have created something truly special with Jujutsu Kaisen, and I believe that the manga will continue to be a success for many years to come.