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Where Does Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Stand Amid Release Of New Movie?(Photo Credit –Twitter)

Anime heavyweight Jujutsu Kaisen is no stranger to the silver screen, and its next cinematic outing is just around the corner. The Mappa Studios has already pulled out all the stops for Gojo Satoru, and fans can expect another theatrical experience, although it’s a little different this time.

After wrapping up its explosive second season, the anime is set to return to theaters with a special compilation film, condensing the first half of season two into a sleek, cinematic package. And thanks to Anime Japan 2025, an electrifying new trailer has just dropped, teasing what’s in store.

Gojo Satoru’s Past Takes Center Stage

If you’ve already witnessed the magic of Jujutsu Kaisen’s second season, the story showcased in Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death will feel like a familiar ride. The second season,...

The Jujutsu Kaisen stage event at AnimeJapan 2025 lit up today with news on the upcoming Hidden Inventory/Premature Death Arc compilation anime film. A new trailer for the theatrical outing was released, previewing an acoustic version of Tatsuya Kitani 's "Where Our Blue Is," previously used as the opening theme song for the TV anime version of the arc. As previously reported , the film is slated to open on May 30 in Japan. Jujutsu Kaisen Hidden Inventory/Premature Death Arc Compilation Film Main Trailer Related: Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Heads to the Culling Game Arc in Super Teaser Visual The  Jujutsu Kaisen  anime, based on the manga of the same name by Gege Akutami, returned for its second season on July 6, 2023, and ended later that year on December 28. Crunchyroll is streaming both seasons of the Mappa-produced anime alongside the anime film  Jujutsu Kaisen 0 .  A sequel series based on the Culling Game...

Jujutsu Kaisen anime fans have finally received a new look at its upcoming "Hidden Inventory/Premature Death" compilation film, with a new trailer and release date heralding the retelling of Gojo and Geto's tragic past.

As revealed at AnimeJapan in a new trailer release, Jujutsu Kaisen's "Hidden Inventory/Premature Death" film will be released on May 30, 2025. The anime recaps the tragic events of the early part of Season 2, made even more heartbreaking with an acoustic version of Tatsuya Kitani's "Ao no Sumika/Where Our Blue Is." Readers can check out the new Jujutsu Kaisen film trailer below.

Jjk Gets New Trailer & Release Date for Anime's Hidden Inventory/Premature Death Arc Film

The Jujutsu Kaisen news was revealed with cast members Junya Enoki (Yuji Itadori), Yuichi Nakamura (Satoru Gojo), Takahiro Sakurai (Suguru Geto) and Anna Nagase (Riko Amanai) in attendance, and follows Jujutsu Kaisen's debut "Culling Game" arc visual from Jump Festa.

The battle between the Big Three of the anime world is something that every anime and manga fan enjoys. From characters to storylines, fans like to compare everything to figure out which is the better series out of the two. One such battle that has been going on for a long time is to figure out the better power structure between One Piece and Bleach.

Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation

Tite Kubo’s Bleach and Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece are two of the biggest names in the anime and manga industry right now. While Bleach is trending for its Thousand-Year Blood War arc, One Piece is earning fame and recognition because of its Elbaph arc. Thus, the competition between the two out of the Big Three has begun once again.

One aspect of the competition is the power structure of the two series which is one...

Anime has become more and more mainstream among the newer generations, with over 40% of Gen Z admitting to enjoying the genre. With the world of anime changing with the tide of every passing generation, what was popular back then may not resonate as much with newer viewers coming into the fold.

One Piece and Naruto, although great, just aren’t as popular with younger anime fans as they are with older audiences. Longer series tend to deter younger viewers, especially if they're more than a decade old. It’s only natural that younger generations gravitate towards current anime with characters, stories, and humor that they can better relate to and keep up with.

Even Celebrities Like Meghan Thee Stallion Are On the Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Band Wagon Watch Now on CrunchyrollImage via Studio Mappa

Mappa’s 2020 anime, Jujutsu Kaisen, is based on Gege Akutami’s dark shonen manga. It follows...

Gege Akutami’s hit dark manga Jujutsu Kaisenis consistently praised for countless virtues. A modern classic of the genre, this supernatural story is a perfect mix of classic Shonen tropes and emerging novelties. Jujutsu Kaisen boasts narrative elements like a larger focus on dark themes and more dynamic, fast-paced storytelling. Yuji Itadori’s tale of strife in the dangerous and unforgiving world of curses and sorcerers became the new face of the Shonen genre, largely thanks to the memorable and diverse cast of characters.

Akutami’s ability to instantaneously engross the fans in both heroic and villainous character arcs is nothing short of exceptional. Each character has the ideal backstory that explains their motivations and justifications, not to mention guiding them along their respective journeys. While Jujutsu Kaisen has been commonly criticized for often not doing its characters justice by either killing them off prematurely or failing to develop their arcs in full,...

Jujutsu Kaisenis a hugely popular action anime that clearly took a few cues from the original Shonen "big three" for character design, the combat system, and more. Author Gege Akutami certainly created something wonderful and unique with Jujutsu Kaisen, but even so, there's no denying the specific impact of Bleach on the storyline. That's not just a fan theory, either – Gege Akutami openly named Tite Kubo's legendary mangaas a major source of inspiration when writing Jujutsu Kaisen.

Fortunately, Jujutsu Kaisen is far more than a reskinned Bleach for a new generation of anime fans. Jjk borrows the best elements of Bleach while refining and evolving them to honor Tite Kubo's masterwork, and the results are spectacular. Jjk fans can also point out a variety of specific character designs or themes in Jujutsu Kaisen that had roots in Bleach. All things considered, it's safe to say that Akutami's work borrows...

2025 has already become a big year for the anime industry in general, considering the projects that have been released till now. Prominent anime series like Solo Leveling, Sakamoto Days, and Dragon Ball Daima have taken center stage and, according to me, are currently ruling the anime scene on a global level.

Sung Jinwoo in Solo Leveling | Credit: A-1 Pictures

And although they have built a fanbase that can rival some of the biggest names, I still believe that they can’t surpass the fame and recognition that was achieved by Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen. Although the manga series ended last year, the hype it built was on a completely different level, and none of these new gen anime can even mildly reach the pedestal on which Jujutsu Kaisen stands.

Not only that, there is a big possibility that the Jujutsu Kaisen franchise might grow even bigger in terms of...

Since the dawn of the anime world, the one perception that has remained constant about the industry and has haunted it for years is that it is for kids. While the popularity of anime as an art form has been growing continuously, there are still some people who believe that it is just like any other cartoon and that there is no specialty to it.

One Piece by Eiichiro Oda | Credit: Toei Animation

However, this perception is being changed slowly, and the main contributor behind this is Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. For almost 30 years, One Piece has been proving itself to be one of the best pieces of entertainment, and the real-world issues that it has targeted within its ongoing storyline are proof that anime is not just for kids.

The franchise has done it through different mediums, be it manga or anime, but the one that has helped...

The following contains spoilers for Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen manga, available on Viz Media.

The most prominent and prolific category in anime and manga alike, the shonen demographic, has undergone notable changes in the last decade. Known historically for its inspirational, adventure-rich stories targeting young male audiences, shonen has been steadily shifting its focus to darker narratives with prevalent mature themes and horror elements. The trends of lighthearted, tonally jovial action-adventures that persisted through the early 21st century with titles like Naruto and Fairy Tail, were replaced by gritty, nihilistic shonen. In the 2020s, the tides of change in the mainstream shonen anime manifested in the emergence of the new “Shonen Dark Trio” - Chainsaw Man, Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, and Jujutsu Kaisen.

The “Dark Trio” is a colloquial term used to describe the most influential and popular - particularly in the West - contemporary shonen franchises that challenge the...

Deciding on the single best anime in a given season or year is always a matter of personal taste, but when the overall anime community trends toward certain titles over others, that means something. For example, anime lovers want to know what the single best anime was from 2024, with "best" describing both popularity and quality, and the answer may have surprised some community members. In that year, My Hero Academiadethroned Jujutsu Kaisen as the community's favorite.

That doesn't mean the entire anime community has soured on Jujutsu Kaisen — indeed, author Gege Akutami's dark shonen anime masterpiece is still in the upper echelons and will likely remain there for years to come. Still, even if Jujutsu Kaisen only had a minor slip in the ranks and all this is subjective anyhow, the fact My Hero Academia surpassed Jujutsu Kaisen in 2024 ties into some important facts about how those two shonen...

Some anime series should stay animated, and Jujutsu Kaisen is one of them for several reasons. It’s a show about fighting curses, some of which look abhorrent and disgusting. Those cannot be translated well into a live-action format. Instead of looking eery, they might end up looking goofy.

A cursed spirit from Jujutsu Kaisen. [Credit: Mappa]

What makes a live-action adaptation even worse for a Japanese anime is the demand to make a Hollywood one. Fans always end up casting the same actors and actresses for the cast so why would Jujutsu Kaisen be any different? Why not have Tom Holland as Yuji Itadori?

While it’s true that not all anime revolve around Japan, Jujutsu Kaisen is very much set in that environment. It also involves many Japanese rituals, mythology, and folklore. This fan edit of Hollywood stars as the Jujutsu Kaisen main characters reinforces how terrible of an idea this is.

A fan-made project aiming to rewrite the ending of Jujutsu Kaisen manga, titled Jujutsu No Kaisen, has ignited a firestorm of controversy.

Fans criticized the group behind it for seeking sponsors and raising ethical concerns about their methods.

The project, spearheaded by an X account named Jujutsunokaisen, aimed to rewrite the ending of Jujutsu Kaisen starting from Chapter 236. The group claims that the original ending by Gege Akutami left many fans dissatisfied and promises to deliver a more satisfying conclusion.

“The Jujutsu Kaisen manga has ended, and as many know, the ending did not satisfy everyone. There were many exciting events that could have formed a wonderful ending. I wonder why the original writer Gege didn’t focus on it, with all due respect to him. So my group and I decided to change the ending and make it satisfy everyone. We will focus on accurate drawing, interesting events, and...

In a world where every other day a new threat emerges, romance often takes a backseat. In plenty of action-based Shonen anime, a romance subplot is introduced almost by force. Thankfully, Jujutsu Kaisen did not try to establish any love stories that would have otherwise not suited the storyline.

The story has plenty of strong female characters, but most of them are defined by their strong passion for their chosen path. Even if they were inclined towards romance, there is simply no space to involve such a plotline. And let’s be honest, Akutami would have ended up killing one of them anyway.

Jujutsu Kaisen chose reality over love Jujutsu Kaisen has no place for romance in the storyline | Credits: Mappa

The world of Jujutsu Kaisen is dangerous, to say the least. Jujutsu sorcerers are always in a flight or fight mode. Thus, in the midst of saving themselves, their comrades,...

In the last few decades, the anime and manga industry has flourished into one of the biggest forms of entertainment in the world. And while a lot of people contribute to the overall success of any kind of project, the ones who sit at the root of all this are the manga creators. From Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto) to Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen), the mangaka are majorly responsible for the success of the series.

Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto | Credit: Studio Pierrot

Manga creators, or as they are popularly called, mangakas, are the artists who create the enticing and attractive storylines, which are then edited by the editors and are thus published. These mangas are then adapted into anime series, and the process goes on. It is no news that the numbers generated by these prominent anime and manga series are on a completely different level.

Thus, it is also obvious that...

Jujutsu Kaisen might be cursed by its ending but it sure has one advantage over most Shonen series. In many Shonen genre anime, the female characters are heavily s*xualized, serve no purpose beyond being a love interest, or aren’t utilized to their full potential. Gege Akutami, however, wrote the opposite.

Nobara and Maki from Jujutsu Kaisen. [Credit: Mappa]

There’s a reason why the anime community targets the female characters and it’s essentially because of fans lacking media literacy and how the mangaka treat their arcs. They either portray them as weak characters or are stuck in a love triangle for the male character’s affection. Nuance is just lost.

Gege Akutami broke this formula. Most of the women don’t see each other as competition. The more prominent characters are incredibly nuanced and very independent. While some of the women can be quite controversial, Nobara Kugisaki and...

The fights in shonen anime are a source of excitement and thrill, but we hardly get to see the brutality of attacks. This statement doesn’t apply to Jujutsu Kaisen, as the anime goes all out in portraying the effects of the attacks used.

Nobara’s powers are a good example of it as she’s literally hammering nails in people/curses. Jujutsu Kaisen perfectly fits the dark shonen category that has become popular in recent years. However, Jjk also pales in comparison when Bleach enters the equation.

Nobara tries to protect a child at the beginning of Jujutsu Kaisen | Credits: Viz Media

Tite Kubo went all out while portraying violence and almost every fight in Bleach featured gory visuals. If only the original anime gets a remake, then we can see a better adaptation of Kubo’s vision.

The extent of gore and graphic violence in Jujutsu Kaisen and...

"Jujutsu Kaisen," one of the most popular current shonen action animes, is part of a recent trend of action shows with heavy horror vibes and influences. Based on the manga of the same name by Gege Akutami, the series takes place in a world where negative emotions create "cursed energy," a powerful energy source that births evil spirits called Curses. However, this universe is also home to Jujutsu Sorcerers, which are individuals who use the cursed energy within their own bodies to fight back against these Curses.

The show itself follows Yuji Itadori, a young man who joins a secret school to learn the ways of the Jujutsu Sorcerers after becoming the host of a powerful Curse named Sukuna. "Jujutsu Kaisen," which has already given rise a very successful prequel movie titled "Jujutsu Kaisen 0," is full of memorable characters (many of which suffer horrific deaths over the course of...

Jujutsu Kaisen wouldn’t have been nearly as popular if it weren’t for the iconic and memorable characters. Whether they’re on the screen for the entirety of the episode or just appear for a brief moment, Jujutsu Kaisen characters have a strong hold on fans. Almost all the characters are extremely fun to follow due to their strong and unique personalities.

Suguru Geto greets Yuta in Jujutsu Kaisen 0 | Credits: Studio Mappa

While characters like Gojo and Sukuna fall on the same spectrum with their unparalleled strength and aura, Suguru Geto is extremely different in that regard. His transformation evokes a sense of empathy without justifying his evil deeds. For those who might not know, Geto was inspired by a character from Yoshihiro Togashi’s Yu Yu Hakusho.

The inspiration behind Suguru Geto in Jujutsu Kaisen

Over the years, fans have noted the influence of many popular shonen series on Jujutsu Kaisen.

Usually, in an anime, there is a protagonist around whom the entire narrative revolves. But sometimes, the narrative focuses not just on an individual but a group of characters. Castlevania is one such example, as it focuses on the trio of Alucard, Trevor, and Sypha.

The main characters of Castlevania. [Credit: Netflix]

When it comes to storytelling in such a narrative, a well-balanced trio is one of the hardest dynamics to pull off. Usually, there is a pack leader who gets all the character development, plot progression, and even power-ups. The other two usually zone in and out of focus, sometimes disappearing for long periods.

They return, and they slightly exceed or are on par with the protagonist. Such a narrative is filled with plotholes and even plot armor. That is why there is a need for a carefully crafted tale in which the spotlight is shared equally between the trio,...

One of the most popular Shonen series of the current generation, Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen, deserves the enormous acclaim it has received. Violent, unpredictable, and willing to break out of established stereotypes while still maintaining the signature excitement of the genre, Jjk exemplifies some of the best qualities that modern dark shonen can offer. Yuji Itadori’s tale of strife in the cruel world of cursed spirits and sorcerers has already reached its end in the manga, although the anime adaptation is quite far behind.

With the conclusion of the manga, however, many of its imperfections and debatable storytelling choices, both past and present, are becoming more noticeable. While incredible in many respects and rightfully adored, Jujutsu Kaisen is far from flawless. From unresolved character arcs that left the fans perennially guessing to controversial writing decisions that don’t align with the story’s overall direction, Jujutsu Kaisen features plenty of questionable storylines.

Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen has established itself as one of the greatest new-generation dark fantasy shows that fans can’t get enough of. Despite the subpar ending, the series has promising arcs and a long list of characters that fans can relate to, which has made them extremely popular. While the series had a very promising storyline, it featured a core issue that made the fans of the series feel quite overwhelmed.

A panel from Jujutsu Kaisen. Credits: Viz Media

Jjk’s plot leaves no room for a breather, which has added to the backlash over the ending that has divided the fanbase on social media. However, it was not only Akutami-Sensei’s magnum opus that followed this idea. Ichirō Ōkouchi and Gorō Taniguchi’s Code Geass also followed this notion.

They were quick to avert backlash as they decided to add some much-needed fillers to add to the series’ storyline.

The following contains spoilers for various manga's endings. Proceed with caution.

Last January, Yoshifumi Totsuka's mangaUndead Unluck released its final chapter after being published by Shōnen Jump for five years. Avoiding manga spoilers, "Chapter 239: Deadluck" will satisfy fans, even if they know they'll miss Fuuko Izumo and Andy. To most people, this may not seem like a big deal, since every manga eventually ends. Undead Unluck's anime just started, meaning fans still have a lot of time to spend with their favorite unlucky and undying heroes.

However, Undead Unluck's recent conclusion is a lot more significant than even the most dedicated manga reader may realize. Undead Unluck concluded just a week after another Shōnen Jump title — Hitsuji Gondaira's Mission: Yozakura Family — ended after six years of publication. These titles ended so quickly after two of Shōnen Jump's biggest hits finished their stories in the same year. Undead Unluck...

For the most part, anime characters are written to be exciting in battle yet are clearly fallible, having clear weaknesses their enemies might take advantage of. That creates proper tension and suspense in a fight, most of all in battle shonen anime, but some characters simply broke all the rules to become nigh-invulnerable. They pulled that off either by being strong enough to defeat any other opponent first, or by having special traits making them impossible to properly kill.

Interestingly, the list of near-invincible anime characters includes both heroes and villains, which calls for unique tricks in the writing for any anime. An invincible villain boosts the tension through the roof as the heroes struggle to find a way to beat the unbeatable, while invincible heroes aren't relatable on a physical level, so their personal arc is about something else entirely.

Satoru Gojo Made Himself Untouchable With His Domain Expansion...

Yuto Suzuki’s Sakamoto Days series is on a roll with banger episodes for the anime that is taking over the internet and proving itself to be one of the best stories of 2025. The series has instantly gained fame and recognition as it unravels a world of assassins who are trying to assassinate Taro Sakamoto, the legendary assassin who left it all behind.

Sakamoto Days Anime | Credit: Tms Entertainment

As the story of Sakamoto Days moves through a world full of assassins, fans get to see some of the most skillful characters who have unprecedented powers and abilities. Among them, the one who is considered to be the strongest opponent against Sakamoto is Takamura, his former colleague and member of The Order.

While anime fans have yet to see his strength, manga fans are well versed in what he is capable of, and there are a few who believe that...

Jujutsu Kaisen‘s manga has ended, but the anime adaptation, which is to get its Season 3, is one of the most highly anticipated anime returns. The fans are eager to see how the series will continue and pick up after the Shibuya Incident.

The Zenin Clan Massacre | Credit: Viz Media

While many fans are focused on the core of the narrative, which is the aftermath of Gojo’s battle with Sukuna and the consequences that surround it, there is another aspect of the upcoming season that could become the highlight and steal the spotlight from all others—Maki Zenin’s revenge arc.

For those veterans who are familiar with the manga, this arc is one of Jujutsu Kaisen’s most intense storylines. Not only is there an underlying subtext of vengeance and proving one’s worth, but there is also a lot of physical combat, which makes it a very...

Sometimes, even the manga world can be full of surprises, and not always the good kinds. There was this one time when Eiichiro Oda, the man, the myth, the legend behind the One Piece series, found himself in a sticky situation after one of his comments in a past interview!

Luffy from Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece | Credits: Toei Animation

Apparently, he showed heartfelt support for a fellow mangaka who’s confessed to having a pretty disturbing s*x fetish! Of course, it raised a lot of eyebrows and also sparked a heated debate among fans and critics.

Even to this day, it makes fans wonder what Oda was actually thinking and if he genuinely had no idea about this incident, which is very unlikely, however.

Oda’s thankful gesture to Ruroni Keshin mangaka, Nobuhiro Watsuki! Himura Kenshin pointing a sword in Rurouni Kenshin anime | Credits: Liden Films

In case you don’t know,...

One of the biggest manga on the modern shonen scene, Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen, has enjoyed sensational popularity and acclaim ever since its 2018 debut. A dark and gritty tale about a seemingly ordinary boy who becomes the vessel of history’s most powerful curse, Ryomen Sukuna, Yuji Itadori is thrust into a cruel world of sorcery and spirits. Jjk has become an unprecedented smash hit thanks to its gripping storytelling, affinity for high-octane action, and immersive worldbuilding.

Alongside other similar anime & manga of the time, Jujutsu Kaisen and the other two anime in the Dark Shonen Trio signaled a shift in shonen storytelling towards more mature, unabashedly violent shonen narratives with high stakes. This is a trend fans are still enjoying today, with dark fantasy being one of the demographic’s most popular genres. That said, Jujutsu Kaisen didn't truly find unrivaled international success until the release of its...

One of the most alluring aspects of Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen is how it features a wide range of characters that the story revolves around. From Satoru Gojo to Toji Fushiguro, all have been absolute fan favorites from the moment they were showcased in the series.

Aoi Todo and Yuji Itadori. Credits: Studio Mappa

However, when Season 2 started to air, the mangaka developed an infamous reputation for killing off some of the major and beloved characters from the show. The Jjk community considers the death of the Honored One as the saddest in all of the series.

The mangaka would feel otherwise, as they had to take the pen and draw the mortifying death of one of their favorite characters, Kento Nanami, during the Shibuya Arc. While killing their favorite character was not easy for them, they have another regret orbiting around their magnum opus.

Gege Akutami hoped their...

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure has built quite a reputation in the anime community, thanks to its eccentric humor and unique art style. It’s an acquired taste amongst seasoned and new anime fans, but once they try it, it’s a masterpiece like nothing else.

Dio Brando from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. [Credit: David Production]

It has a special place in the hearts of LGBTQ+ viewers for its open representation of sexuality and gender. The character designs and fashion have become a big cultural phenomenon, and so have the characters. Dio Brando, in particular, is the talk of the town.

Dio Brando is one of the most menacing villains in all of anime, acting without regret and having all the confidence. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure features several iconic villains, and yet he stands out. He’s also a rare anime character that is canonically bisexual, confirmed by Hirohiko Araki himself.

The mangaka confirms Dio...

Jujutsu Kaisen is a universal hit, and is often classified as being part of shōnen anime’s “Dark Trio”, along with Chainsaw Man and Hell’s Paradise. Sporting iconic characters such as Sukuna and Gojo, who have been mentioned in popular songs like Megan Thee Stallion’s “Otaku Hot Girl”, and quotable one-liners such as “Nah, I’d win”, there’s no question that Jujutsu Kaisen has pop-culture in a chokehold.

Jujutsu Kaisen’s exceptional storytelling, top-tier animation and well-written characters contributed to its roaring success. However, the series isn’t without its flaws. Gege Akutami has received a lot of backlash from fans, resulting from storyline inconsistencies, underdeveloped characters and character deaths. Akutami has made many questionable decisions in Jujutsu Kaisen, with the most obvious being the mistreatment of the characters.

Related10 Best Ongoing Shonen Manga For Fans of Jujutsu Kaisen & Where to Read Them

Jjk’s ending left an...

The final chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen closed out the story that followed Yuji Itadori after he became the vessel for Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses. Itadori's journey was filled with new allies, lifelong relationships, and the profound despair that accompanied life and the inevitability of death. In some cases, those deaths were wrought with Itadori's own hands, even though he wasn't always the one in control of them. Across 271 chapters, Yuji grew, not only as a character and a sorcerer, but also as a man.

Jujutsu Kaisen focused heavily on the old conservative mindsets of those in power, how to approach death, and what it means to live. Every character carries a part of this theme across the narrative, and the end of the manga presents Akutami's thoughts on the matter. The ending of Jujutsu Kaisen answered a lot of questions about the status of certain characters, the future of the world,...

The Netflix animated series adaptation of Castlevania has become a massive success, thanks to Sam and Adam Deats’ intricate research of the original video games. There’s not one point of lore the duo has missed, especially the former, who directed each episode from Season 1 to 4.

The main characters of Castlevania. [Credit: Netflix]

Despite the adaptation straying away from video games, it’s actually a breath of fresh air. Castlevania gets rid of all the slow-pacing, and all the complicated stuff isn’t in your control. Sam and Adam Deats make sure to streamline the story in a new way but retain the lore.

The directors acknowledge the diverse audience and cater the Netflix adaptation to both old and new fans alike, no matter where they are in the world. They also mix in the style of the original game designer, Ayami Kojima, and the fluidity of Japanese animation.

Sam and Adam...

It is not uncommon for anime and manga fans to fall in love with a side character and make him more popular than the main protagonist. However, oftentimes this results in the main protagonist getting overshadowed and thus hurting his character in the series. One of the few anime series that managed to perfect it was Kimi ni Todoke by Karuho Shiina.

Kimi ni Todoke Anime | Credit: Production I.G.

Kimi ni Todoke is one of the most underrated names in the Shoujo genre, following the themes of romance, comedy, and slice-of-life. It is a coming-of-age story that follows the adventure of Sawako Kuronuma and her struggles as a high school girl with a scary face as she yearns to find friends and also a love interest in Shouta Kazehaya, the male protagonist of the story.

While Shouta is quite popular, the one character who outshines him in popularity is Ryu Sanada,...

Throughout its run from March 5, 2018 to September 30, 2024, Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen climbed the ranks to become the top manga series in the shonen genre. JJk's week-to-week popularity exceeded even longtime staples like One Piece and Boruto, solidifying its place as manga royalty. Jujutsu Kaisen ended with a solid argument for being one of the greatest manga of all time, but its ending also left an empty space for fans who followed the series week to week. Luckily, there are plenty of dark, bloody action and unforgettable MCs to follow among Jjk's contemporaries.

Jujutsu Kaisen is best known for its lovable cast of characters, brutal fight scenes, and complex power system. Jjk’s influence over shonen manga has made the landscape ripe with plenty of dark shonen series to fill its role. From Undead Unluck to Chainsaw Man, there are innumerable excellent manga series out there to enjoy, but a...

One of the greatest video game adaptations on Netflix, Castlevania has been entertaining fans since 2017 with its enticing plot and complex characters. Out of all the things that make Castlevania popular, the one that fans talk about the most is the friendship between Alucard, Trevor Belmont, and Sypha Belnades, the main characters of the story for four consecutive seasons.

Alucard in Castlevania | Credit: Powerhouse Animation Studios

Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard share a unique relationship in the Castlevania anime series that helps them deal with some of the greatest dangers of their time, including Alucard’s father, Dracula. However, the main aspect of their friendship that is most focused on is the longing that each of them had before meeting each other and how the three characters resolved it together.

And while Trevor and Sypha move forward in life, Alucard is left alone with the deep misfortune of his former life...

One of the greatest video game adaptations of all time, Castlevania, has been the talk of the town since its release in 2017. While the series ended with its fourth season in 2021, it still attracts a lot of attention, and the reason behind this is the compelling storylines and complex characters that the series introduced over the period of four seasons.

Saint Germain and Adventure Lady | Credit: Powerhouse Animation Studios

Some of these characters were so complex that to this day, fans have been trying to figure out different aspects of their narrative. One such character is the Adventure Lady, who, despite having a small appearance in the series, managed to make the biggest impact on the Castlevania narrative. Her relationship with Saint Germain in the third season is one of the biggest mysteries.

In fact, the fans’ believe that her role in Castlevania was quite similar to that of the...

As a renowned shōnen franchise with a seemingly unstoppable fanbase, Jujutsu Kaisen has spawned leagues of fan art and theories, including from those eager to find any semblance of romance. As is par for the course with many shōnen franchises, Jujutsu Kaisen focuses on the beauty of friendship and teamwork rather than romantic pairings Without official confirmation, fans have busied themselves with constructing relationships between characters. Some are seemingly possible, such as imagining secret romantic tension between Gojo and Geto. Others, however, are significantly more bizarre.

Impractical Jujutsu Kaisen ships are, of course, within the purview of fans to create and believe in. In a series that concluded its manga run without official confirmation, all relationships are theoretically valid. Even still, however, some pairings betray the fundamental essence of characters so thoroughly that the idea of romance seems nonsensical. Such wacky pairings often make for some great fan fiction for anyone to enjoy,...

Jujutsu Kaisen is widely recognized as one of the most influential anime series of recent times, thanks to its excellent storytelling and memorable characters. Speaking of which, Gege Akutami created the most iconic character of the decade, Gojo Satoru, the face of the anime and the most powerful sorcerer. Gojo has become a phenomenon since the anime's release in 2020, with his graceful presence in the debut episode as well as his humorous demeanor, which kept fans entertained throughout the season. Even though Itadori Yuji is the series' protagonist, Gojo has always been given the spotlight, making him a fan favorite.

Certainly, one would expect an imposing protagonist like Gojo to live long enough to offer anime and manga fans a satisfying conclusion, but mangaka Gege Akutami has other intentions. During the final showdown between Gojo, the strongest sorcerer that has ever lived, and Sukuna, the king of curses, the latter emerges triumphant,...

The extremely popular One Piece franchise has recently seen a major shift as the former editor of the series, Kaito Anayama, has finally left One Piece after a year. Anayama will be officially replaced by Junya Fukuda, the former editor of Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen. Fukuda will be the 15th editor of One Piece in the span of almost thirty years.

One Piece by Eiichiro Oda | Credit: Toei Animation

An editor holds a lot of significance for any series, and their role is extremely crucial for the smooth flow of chapters. From helping with the art style of the manga to dealing with the publishers, an editor holds all the important jobs that are necessary to publish a chapter of the manga. It is believed that after the manga creator, their job holds the most significance.

Fukuda joining One Piece feels like a big move, and there are many...

In recent years, several manga endings have left their fan bases divided and unsatisfied. While it’s more based on subjective taste, the collective disappointment is noticeable in the reputation of these manga, particularly Jujutsu Kaisen, which has almost unanimously received negative criticism.

Attack on Titan’s ending, on the other hand, is the tougher nut to crack. With an already complex narrative, it’s hard to confirm the ending was terrible but it was definitely rushed and lacked any emotional depth.

A bird wraps Mikasa’s scarf around her in Attack on Titan. [Credit: Mappa]

Several fans couldn’t enjoy it for that fact itself. These two manga are the most notorious since they were massively successful in the past and ended in the most underwhelming way possible.

On 27 January 2025, the manga for Undead Unluck ended and fans are incredibly pleased. They bid goodbye to the story happily, despite the rushed ending,...

While there is no doubt in anime fans' minds that the original shonen "big three" had a tremendous influence on how future shonen anime titles were written, Tite Kubo's Bleach just might have the most influence of them all. Even if Bleach does the least sales of the original big three by the numbers, it still had an outsized influence on the shonen manga and anime that came after it.

There are two main reasons for that, one being the fact that at least two modern shonen hits were influenced primarily by Bleach, and the other being that many of Naruto's and One Piece's best storytelling elements are universal, not their own inventions. If the shonen big three merely popularized and reinforced time-honored tropes that came before them, then their influence should be measured in their own unique ideas. In that regard, Bleach takes the lead, while...

Masashi Kishimoto deserves praise for the Naruto series’ mind-boggling world-building, captivating fans around the globe for decades. Once the strongest in Naruto, the Uchiha clan met a tragic end at Itachi’s hands, leaving behind one of the most haunting tales that left a lasting impact on the audience.

The Uchiha Clan Massacre is one of Naruto‘s most notable events, setting a grave tone for the series since the very beginning. Witnessing the massacre of the entire Uchiha clan by his idolized big brother, Itachi, shaped Sasuke Uchiha’s path for revenge.

Akatsuki Itachi beating Sasuke | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Fueled by vengeance, fans eagerly awaited Sasuke’s revenge against his brother, Itachi. When Kishimoto introduced the enigmatic Masked Uchiha, many mistook him for Sasuke—some even theorized he was Sasuke from the future or an alternate timeline—until the truth was disclosed.

How Kishimoto’s Masked Uchiha revelation let...

Among the diverse figures within the anime world, there are two characters that are often compared and pitted against each other due to their similar physical appearance, unparalleled charisma, and role of reliable mentors: Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen and Kakashi Hatake from Naruto. However, a surprising statement shared by Gege Akutami suggested that Kakashi’s character never crossed the mind of the Jujutsu Kaisen creator during Gojo’s creation.

Gojo’s design vastly resembles Kakashi | Credit: Studio Mappa

Not only this, Akutami further revealed that while Gojo is often compared to Kakashi, Gojo is nowhere near the level of the Naruto character in terms of powers, personalities, and narrative significance. This admission has fueled discussions about why Akutami believes this and what this says about the evolution of anime mentorship.

Satoru Gojo vs. Kakashi Hatake: Gege Akutami’s perspective

In an interview that was featured in the Jujutsu Kaisen...

Jujutsu Kaisen might leave you with mixed feelings about the overall story that Gege Akutami told, but the one undeniably brilliant aspect was the action. The thrill of the fight and the smooth choreography kept us on our toes. In a world of sorcery, it relied on combat quite a lot.

One interesting fight involved the Strongest Sorcerer, Gojo Satoru, in close combat with Miguel Oduol. Formerly as a commander to Suguru Geto, he was loyal enough to go against the strongest to help his vision. That obviously didn’t end well for him but it landed him a different job.

Miguel Oduol from Jujutsu Kaisen 0. [Credit: Mappa]

What was curious about this fight wasn’t that Miguel fought Gojo on equal footing (almost) or that the strongest sorcerer went all out in a close combat situation. Gojo’s moves in Jujutsu Kaisen 0 perfectly mirrored a scene from a martial arts movie.

The leading Shonen series of the current generation, Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen has taken the anime and manga community by storm, engrossing countless fans in its riveting world. The tale of Yuji Itadori, a seemingly ordinary boy unwittingly thrust into the merciless world of curses, became a modern classic thanks to its riveting action, lovable characters, and, most importantly, a tense and unpredictable plot full of exciting mysteries.

Akutami’s writing has always managed to subvert fans’ expectations, especially when it comes to big reveals and unforeseen plot twists. Still, there are plenty of burning questions about Jjk’s expansive world Akutami has yet to address. With the manga having ended on Chapter 271, fans of Jujutsu Kaisen will have to wait for the anime adaptation to clarify all the mysteries that still remain unexplained.

Updated on January 17, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: Following the end of Sukuna in Chapter 268, fans were...

Many modern shonen anime and manga series have created and broken records with their mind-blowing success. Even among these titles, Jujutsu Kaisen enjoys an extraordinary status. From memes to internet discourse, Jujutsu Kaisen’s hype was unparalleled up until its end. Even after the ending debacle, the manga has a dedicated fan base that would bawl their eyes out at the mere mention of Jjk.

Toji in a still from Jujutsu Kaisen | Credits: Studio Mappa

Chainsaw Man began its run around the same time as Jjk. Both manga share some commonalities from their dark themes to the animation studio. So, would it be right to put these two under the same category? Some fans disagree, and rightfully so. In a sense, Jujutsu Kaisen has overshadowed the brilliance of Chainsaw Man which remains unappreciated for the most part.

Do Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen fall under the same category?

Jujutsu Kaisen...

The fans of the popular video game Honkai: Star Rail, especially fans of the Herta, are glued to the new character trailer that was recently dropped. As usual, Herta looks beautiful with an undefeated aura. Not just the video game enthusiasts, but the trailer has something in store for Junji Ito fans as well!

A panel from Junji Ito’s Tomie | Credits: Viz Media

Seeing a glimpse of Ito’s popular horror manga Tomie in the new Honkai: Star Rail character trailer has got fans excited. Here’s what this crossover means and the fan reactions to it.

Honkai: Star Rail catches the attention of Junji Ito fans A still of Herta from her introductory trailer | Credits: The official YouTube channel of Honkai: Star Rail

A new trailer for the extremely powerful, playable character Herta from Honkai: Star Rail was released on the official YouTube channel of the video game series.

Jujutsu Kaisen is packed with memorable characters, but none shine brighter, literally and figuratively, than Gojo Satoru. With his striking white hair, blindfolded or sunglasses look, and near-omnipotent powers, Gojo is a standout both visually and story-wise. Recent speculation from the fandom, however, has raised the intriguing question of whether Gojo have been inspired by an older, lesser-known manga character. Theories point to Myoujin, a similarly enigmatic character from the 2005-2006 manga Mieru Hito by Toshiaki Iwashiro.

Mieru Hito was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump just like Jujutsu Kaisen, but its shorter run meant it remained under the radar for many fans. As parallels between Myoujin and Gojo emerge, some are wondering whether Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, might have drawn inspiration from Iwashiro’s work. After looking at the comparisons, it seems like the theory may hold up.

The Undeniable Visual Similarities Between Gojo and Myoujin From White Hair to Shades,...

Popular Bandai-owned toy brand MegaHouse has just unveiled a purrfectly lovely treat for Jujutsu Kaisen fans. As part of the company's "Mega Cat Project," the main characters of the beloved dark fantasy franchise has been transformed into a series of adorable feline mascots.

Megahouse's "Jujutsu Nyanko Shibuya Incident" collection is currently being sold on Hobby Link Japan, a site that carries licensed anime goods from Bandai, Takara Tomy and other major companies. The new release consists of gashapon (capsule) anime figurines inspired by Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Satoru Gojo, Nobara Kugisaki, Kento Nanami and Ryomen Sukuna -- all characters who played a major role in Jujutsu Kaisen's famous "Shibuya Incident" storyline. The figures are scheduled to hit store shelves in June 2025. Cbr readers can check them out below.

Related Jujutsu Kaisen Reveals New Look at Culling Game Anime Sequel

Mappa's Jujutsu Kaisen anime adaptation reveals a...