Jujutsu Kaisen has gained immense popularity as one of the top manga series featured in Weekly Shounen Jump. Its success can be attributed to its action-packed storyline that remains easy for readers to follow, without delving into complex political elements.
Despite its moderate complexity and potentially intimidating nature, the power ranking system in this series may still be comprehensible to fans who pay attention to the techniques portrayed. In fact, many believe that the system is relatively simple, especially when compared to other complex systems found in Shounen or even anime as a whole.
The mentioned anime is Hunter x Hunter, well-known for its Hunter x Hunter syndrome. This syndrome refers to the complex power-scaling in the anime that can be challenging for fans to comprehend. Although the fundamental concept of Nen, the power system in Hunter x Hunter, is straightforward, it becomes more intricate when it comes to understanding its various types and how they differ between individuals.
Please note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.
Understanding the Simplicity of Jujutsu Kaisen’s Power Scaling Compared to Hunter x Hunter
The anime adaptation of Jujutsu Kaisen, a shounen manga series, was produced by animation studio MAPPA. The plot follows Itadori Yuji, who discovers the existence of cursed spirits and is invited by Gojo Satoru to become a student at Jujutsu High.
The focus of the series’ power-scaling is primarily on cursed energy and its manipulation. As the name suggests, cursed energy is derived from negative emotions and is naturally evoked by humans. As a result, the majority of individuals possess this type of energy.
To harness the power of cursed energy and access the realm of cursed spirits, one must possess a specific amount of this energy, a trait possessed only by certain individuals who are then known as cursed sorcerers. Mastering the manipulation of cursed energy is essential in utilizing its various abilities. The crucial aspect of learning this skill is maintaining a constant flow of cursed energy and controlling one’s emotions, just as Yuji did.
Once one has mastered the skill of manipulating cursed energy, it can be harnessed as an inherent ability or transformed into a positive technique (known as a reverse-cursed technique). The strength of an individual is primarily determined by their output of cursed energy and their proficiency in utilizing cursed techniques. Additionally, certain limitations may be imposed on cursed energy through vows or heavenly restrictions (such as being born without the ability to use cursed energy).
The concept of power-scaling is central to Jujutsu Kaisen. While certain cursed techniques, such as Gojo’s Limitless or Yuki Tsukumo’s Star Rage, may be difficult to grasp, the majority of techniques in the series are fairly straightforward.
Despite being a Shounen manga series, Hunter x Hunter stands out as it has been adapted into two anime series by both Nippon Animation and Madhouse. The central focus of the series is on Gon, a determined young boy who dreams of becoming the ultimate hunter.
The series’ power-scaling revolves entirely around Nen, also known as the aura of life. Every person possesses this energy as they are living beings, but not everyone can harness it. Nen can be utilized as a weapon once the Nen nodes have been unlocked.
The nodes can be accessed through meditation over time or by instantly channeling a light stream of aura into the body. However, this latter method carries the danger of losing one’s own life. In the series, protagonists Gon and Killua awaken their Nen through this risky method, known as Initiation.
Nen is known to be closely connected to the emotions of its user, and it can continue to manifest even after the user’s demise, fueled by their strong emotions towards someone or something (as seen with Negarpitou’s Nen after their decapitation). Additionally, the influence of nature and other mysterious factors can also impact Nen.
It may come as no surprise that the activation of Nen nodes does not automatically grant a person the ability to harness this energy. Therefore, one must possess mastery over four principles, similar to fans, in order to comprehend and utilize Nen as a technique.
The four principles consist of Ten (maintaining open Nen nodes while channeling Nen), Zetsu (preventing Nen leakage from the body), Ren (releasing a greater amount of Nen from nodes than with Ten), and Hatsu (the innate manifestation of an individual’s Nen).
By modifying or combining these principles, advanced Nen abilities such as En are created by combining Ten and Ren. Furthermore, these advanced abilities can also be combined with each other to develop new techniques. For example, Ko is formed by combining Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu, and Gyo, with Gyo being an advanced form of Ren.
Additionally, Nen is influenced by the aura of a hunter, which encompasses six distinct types. It can also be further classified into 15 sub-categories and may have complex limitations similar to the combination of the four principles. The strength and scope of Nen can also be shaped by a hunter’s training and growth, making it potentially the most diverse and intricate power system in Shounen.
In contrast to Jujutsu Kaisen, where cursed energy is not categorized and is controlled uniquely by each sorcerer, Hunter x Hunter is significantly more intricate and requires a longer period of time to comprehend.
Final Thoughts
Despite the complexity of power-scaling in an anime, it does not necessarily make the anime bad. This is evident in the case of Hunter x Hunter, which is widely considered one of the best Shounen anime series. The power-scaling in this series is a key factor in its success. In fact, the author, Togashi, attempted to bring the series to a close but ultimately revealed the climax due to concerns about his health.
If someone is struggling to comprehend the concept of Nen, they could re-watch the series and discover how it was all conceived by one individual’s imagination. Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, also pays homage to Hunter x Hunter multiple times in their manga, solidifying the latter as one of the greatest anime of all time.
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