Which Hit Anime Better Represents the Future of Shonen?

Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are two of the most popular shonen anime series currently releasing. The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training movie has recently been released, with the newest season airing this spring, while Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 has won the Anime of the Year award for 2023. These two series are truly incredible, but which one truly represents the modern shonen genre in the best way?

In technical terms, these two series both have fluid and beautiful animation and truly talented voice acting, so it is difficult to compare them on that level. Furthermore, the story and plot of each one follow similar tropes of the shonen genre.

Both stories more or less follow a young hero who strives to build his strength, learn how to use his new powers properly, and protect those around him from evil threats. Yuji Itadori and Tanjiro Kamado are both phenomenal protagonists with commendable qualities, like kindness, empathy, and emotional intelligence, that make them worthy of admiration.

Jujutsu Kaisen Fits Modern Shonen Standards Better

Produced by MAPPA, based on the original manga by Gege Akutami

Both selections fit shonen standards well, but one reigns supreme when considering which one better represents the genre’s future. Although the decision is incredibly difficult and close, Jujutsu Kaisenis the anime that is taking the genre in the most innovative direction. The story of Jujutsu Kaisen is more shocking and intense. The plot of Yuji eating Sukuna’s fingers, which allows the King Of Curses to inhabit his body as a vessel, is incredibly unique and truly shook up the anime community when the first episode aired, because there was no other anime like it at the time.

Demon Slayer’s plot is intriguing, from the variety of demons Tanjiro fights to his heartfelt dedication to protecting his sister, but it’s also quite traditional. It excels at tugging at viewers’ heartstrings with its inspiring plot, but Jujutsu Kaisen has a more innovative approach to storytelling, making it a better representation of the modern evolution of the shonen genre. The characters in Jujutsu Kaisen also have greater complexity, while at the same time not renouncing the archetypes of typical shonen heroes. It is hard to find a hero in any anime that is at the same time more complicated and powerful than Gojo Satoru, for example.

Demon Slayer Excels In Emotion, While Jujutsu Kaisen Excels In Action

Demon Slayer produced by ufotable, based on the manga by Koyoharu Gotouge

Both series contain amazing heroes and villains, but Jujutsu Kaisen’s characters are more nuanced, often walking in the gray moral area between good and evil. This aspect better fits the modern evolution of shonen, while still appealing to the typical target demographic. Overall, both series are incredible, and it is difficult to claim one is “better”.

Demon Slayer‘s more linear plot allows it to handle emotional topics and inner character growth more effectively, while Jujutsu Kaisen‘s compressed narrative lets it excel in action, fighting, and pacing. Overall, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s attempts to balance classic genre tropes with a non-conventional approach make it a better representation of the future of shonen than Demon Slayer, which is a more traditional series.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is a supernatural action anime that follows high school student Yuuji Itadori as he battles against magical curses. After Yuji selflessly saves a classmate by taking a curse into his own body, he is discovered and trained by a powerful sorcerer named Satoru Gojo. Gojo, who also happens to be a faculty member at a high school, enrolls Yuji there to help him and other students prepare themselves against the supernatural forces that plague humanity.

Release Date

October 2, 2020

Writers

Hiroshi Seko

Demon Slayer

Cast

Zach Aguilar , Abby Trott , Aleks Le , Bryce Papenbrook , Brianna Knickerbocker , Zeno Robinson , Johnny Yong Bosch , Erika Harlacher , Ray Chase , Kira Buckland

Release Date

April 6, 2019

Writers

Ufotable