Jujutsu Kaisen: The Greatest Work of Fiction in the Internet Age

In today’s world, where a significant portion of the fandom consists of young individuals under 18, “Jujutsu Kaisen”stands out as one of the most acclaimed works of fiction—arguably the best. The series is often ranked within the top 10 or even top 3 by many fans due to its rich lore and impressive power-scaling, yet labeling it as the greatest of all time stirs controversy.

Historically, numerous series have developed extensive lore over hundreds of episodes, and many, both anime and manga, have intricate power-scaling systems that some fans ranking Gege Akutami’s work as the best have not yet experienced.

This phenomenon may be largely attributed to the internet age, where many fans haven’t consumed enough media to convincingly declare “Jujutsu Kaisen”as the greatest.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the “Jujutsu Kaisen”manga series and reflects the author’s opinion.

Why the Internet Age Influences the Perception of “Jujutsu Kaisen”

Itadori Yuji as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

“Jujutsu Kaisen,”a Shounen manga series launched in “Shounen Jump”on March 5, 2018, is both written and illustrated by Gege Akutami, and is considered the author’s magnum opus. The series currently has 23 volumes released in English and 28 volumes in Japanese.

With combined merchandise sales from both anime and manga, the series has sold over 90 million copies, establishing it as one of the top anime series and a major work of fiction within the media landscape. The story is now approaching its conclusion, set to end on September 30, 2024.

As the series nears its finale, the fandom is proclaiming it to be the ‘greatest piece of fiction’ to emerge on the internet. This notion seems to stem from a younger audience who may lack exposure to a diverse range of anime and media that would allow for a more informed opinion.

Itadori as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

While it is undeniable that Gege Akutami’s work is one of the notable pieces of fiction, the intricate power-scaling involving cursed energy and the well-developed lore surrounding characters make it appealing across various genres.

However, many of the young fans who hail this series as the greatest seem not to have explored other series that contain equally compelling narratives and character development.

Gon as seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse)

Within the anime industry, classic series like “Hunter x Hunter”and “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood”have not garnered enough recognition in recent years, despite their excellent plot development and power-scaling, much like “Jujutsu Kaisen.”

Additionally, newer anime such as “Mushoku Tensei”deserve commendation for the lore they’ve crafted over a few seasons, marking them as exemplary isekai series.

Chihiro as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

In the manga realm, older series like “One Piece,”alongside newer Shounen series such as “Kagurabachi,”also merit the title of ‘the greatest fiction in media,’ featuring lore as captivating as that of Akutami’s creation.

Nevertheless, fans asserting that “Jujutsu Kaisen”is the greatest often lack familiarity with these other series, making their claims seem unfounded.

Final Thoughts

The anime adaptation of Akutami’s work was recognized as the most popular anime series globally by the Guinness Book of World Records; however, ‘popularity’ does not equate to ‘greatness.’

The series has received worldwide acclaim for its animation, storyline, and music, but those declaring it the greatest are likely fans who have not explored a wide array of anime.

This does not imply that “Jujutsu Kaisen”is subpar; rather, it suggests that the standards by which fans are judging its ‘greatness’ could apply to many other series. Therefore, the fandom might benefit from a broader exploration of the anime medium before making such dramatic declarations.