Shonen manga has given rise to numerous iconic series, and Jujutsu Kaisen stands out as a significant entry. Concluding this year with a total of 271 chapters, the series has drawn a range of opinions regarding its finale. Many fans felt that the ending featured several hastily resolved plot threads and suggested the narrative might have benefited from additional chapters to explore its themes more deeply.
Conversely, there are several manga that wrapped up their tales in fewer chapters yet continue to be celebrated as timeless classics in the medium. Below, we highlight a selection of series that either exceeded or fell short of the chapter count of Jujutsu Kaisen.
Disclaimer: The following content features spoilers from the discussed series.
5 Shonen Manga That Extended Beyond Jujutsu Kaisen
1) Naruto (700 chapters)
Naruto is often hailed as one of the greatest shonen manga of all time, with a staggering total of 700 chapters. Few series can achieve such a landmark, which is underscored by the intricate lore and world-building crafted by author Masashi Kishimoto over the years.
The story follows Naruto Uzumaki, a young boy shunned by the residents of the Hidden Leaf Village due to the demon fox sealed within him. Orphaned and unaware of the reasons behind the villagers’ hatred, he strives to become a ninja and set his sights on becoming Hokage, the village leader, which kick-starts his adventurous journey.
2) Bleach (698 chapters)
While Jujutsu Kaisen draws inspiration from Bleach, it opted for a more concise chapter count. Bleach, penned by Tite Kubo, has significantly influenced contemporary shonen manga, reflected in its style and narrative approach.
Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager with the ability to see spirits, finds his life transformed when he meets Rukia, a Shinigami tasked with guiding dying souls. Their encounters with malevolent spirits known as Hollows propel Ichigo into the role of a Shinigami, launching him into a multidimensional adventure.
3) Dragon Ball (519 chapters)
Dragon Ball is often regarded as a cornerstone of shonen manga, and its influence is undeniable. The franchise’s success, driven by Akira Toriyama’s original work, played a crucial role in the growth of the manga and anime industries.
The story unfolds with Bulma, a girl on a quest to gather magical Dragon Balls that grant wishes, who crosses paths with Goku, a boy endowed with extraordinary strength due to his monkey tail. Their journey to find the Dragon Balls marks the beginning of an epic adventure that has established Dragon Ball as a benchmark for shonen manga over its 519 chapters.
4) Slam Dunk (276 chapters)
Though only slightly exceeding the chapter count of Jujutsu Kaisen, Slam Dunk is renowned for its well-crafted development and conclusion. This series takes a refreshingly realistic approach to basketball, a rare quality in sports manga.
The narrative follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a delinquent who joins his high school basketball team to impress his crush, Haruko Akagi. Despite his initial difficulties with teammates Takenori Akagi and Kaede Rukawa, he gradually cultivates a passion for the sport and evolves as a player.
Takehiko Inoue, now celebrated for his stellar work on Vagabond, made his mark with Slam Dunk, a series widely considered one of the finest in shonen manga history.
5) My Hero Academia (430 chapters)
My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen have often been compared, given their prominence in the shonen genre during the previous decade, especially as they both concluded around the same time in 2024, leading to some similar controversies regarding their endings.
Izuku “Deku”Midoriya grows up in a world where individuals possess superpowers called Quirks, yet he is born without one. His life dramatically shifts when he makes a heroic decision to save his bully, Katsuki Bakugo. This act catches the attention of his idol, All Might, who grants Deku his own Quirk, One For All, making him his successor.
My Hero Academia has been heralded as the defining shonen series of the last decade and has achieved remarkable commercial success, even as its narrative drew some mixed reactions. It now holds a classic status, with debates surrounding its conclusion likely to persist.
5 Shonen Manga That Concluded Well Before Jujutsu Kaisen
1) Fist of the North Star (245 chapters)
Fist of the North Star stands as a landmark in battle shonen, preceding even Dragon Ball in defining the genre. This series left a lasting impression on the medium throughout the 1980s.
The protagonist, Kenshiro, masters the ancient fighting style of Hokuto Shinken while traversing a post-apocalyptic wasteland devastated by nuclear war in search of his beloved Yuria. As he comes across various allies and adversaries, he enforces his unique sense of justice through formidable combat.
Writer Buronson imbues the series with robust character arcs across its 245 chapters, complemented by Tetsuo Hara’s remarkable artwork. Many tropes prevalent in the shonen genre were shaped by Fist of the North Star, making it worthy of revisiting.
2) Yu Yu Hakusho (175 chapters)
Yu Yu Hakusho began as a fairly standard ghost story but evolved into a complex and beloved battle shonen that has made a significant impact on many subsequent series, including Jujutsu Kaisen, despite having only 175 chapters in its 1990s run.
The narrative centers on Yusuke Urameshi, a high school troublemaker with a tumultuous upbringing. His life takes a dramatic turn when he sacrifices himself to save a child. Though initially given a chance to return to life, he opts for the afterlife, leading to a poignant realization at his own funeral.
The character development and the growth of author Yoshihiro Togashi contribute greatly to Yu Yu Hakusho‘s appeal, making it a must-read within the shonen genre.
3) Attack on Titan (139 chapters)
Attack on Titan has become one of the most successful anime franchises over the past decade, often drawing comparisons to Jujutsu Kaisen. Even though some categorize it as seinen, it originally published as a shonen and concluded with 139 chapters, establishing itself as a modern classic.
Notably, Hajime Isayama’s work was serialized monthly, contributing to its shorter length compared to Jujutsu Kaisen. Despite polarized opinions on its finale, it remains a treasured narrative, praised for its innovative approach to the genre.
The story follows Eren Yeager, who grows up behind towering walls designed to protect his town from the man-eating Titans. Driven by a desire to avenge his mother, he enlists in the military but soon unravels darker truths that radically reshape his motivations.
4) Rurouni Kenshin (255 chapters)
Rurouni Kenshin is a cult classic in the realm of shonen manga, presenting a striking contrast to Jujutsu Kaisen in terms of narrative style. The story revolves around Kenshin Himura, a former assassin known as the “Hitokiri Battōsai”during his war years. Now, in the Meiji era, he endeavors to live a peaceful life while grappling with his violent past.
This series comprises 255 chapters and delves into Kenshin’s vow to abstain from taking lives, a commitment continually tested by figures from his past. As he strives for normalcy alongside Kaoru Kamiya at her dojo, a romantic bond begins to blossom.
Though Rurouni Kenshin may not have enjoyed the sweeping popularity of other titles on this list, it achieved critical acclaim. Its reverberations are evident in the recent anime adaptation by Liden Films, showcasing its continued love and respect among audiences.
5) Fullmetal Alchemist (108 chapters)
Despite its succinct 108 chapters, Fullmetal Alchemist has secured its position as one of the most revered and acclaimed shonen manga of the last three decades.
Following the journey of Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers who turn to alchemy in a desperate attempt to resurrect their deceased mother, they face dire consequences for their transgression. This results in Edward’s loss of limbs and Alphonse’s soul being trapped in a suit of armor.
In pursuit of redemption, they enlist as state alchemists to discover a way to restore their bodies while navigating a larger narrative drenched in themes like terrorism, war, and humanity’s darker side. Their journey ultimately champions the bonds that define what it means to be human.
Final Thoughts
Numerous other shonen manga exist that either surpass or fall short of Jujutsu Kaisen in terms of chapter count, yet those listed here remain some of the most significant examples. Each of these series has made a considerable impact on the landscape of manga, making comparisons between them particularly fascinating.
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