Frequent character deaths and constant violence are present in many popular shonen.
Denji and Yuji's stories are harsh from the start.
Both characters go through a series of terrible events.
Today, shonen has become darker. Frequent deaths of beloved characters and constant violence are present in many popular shonen titles. Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen show this quite well. Denji and Yuji, the main characters of these anime, go through many trials. Their suffering is sometimes so intense that even fans feel uncomfortable and start to criticize such plot decisions. But if you compare these characters, who is more unlucky?
Hard from the start
The main characters' stories in these anime are harsh from the beginning. Yuji grows up without his parents and knows nothing about them. The only family member — his grandfather — dies in the first episode, leaving only an admonition to help people.
Before he can recover from the trauma, Yuji is confronted with curses and his life changes. To save his friends, he eats the finger of a very powerful creature — the King of Curses Sukuna who becomes Yuji's main problem and the reason why many sorcerers want to kill him.
Denji's story is similar to Yuji's, but it seems to be even tougher. He doesn't even have a grandfather, Denji grew up alone. His father left him with a lot of debts, so he has to take any job, even the most dangerous ones. Denji does not mind eating a cigarette butt or selling his organs as long as he gets paid.
His only friend is Pochita, a small dog-like devil with a chainsaw sticking out of its head. Denji is killed by the mafia in the first episode, he makes a deal with Pochita and survives, but loses his only companion.
Who suffers more?
Of course, Denji's story seems more grim. He is in worse condition from the beginning. Yuji at least has a house and money to live on. However, Denji is sometimes hard to sympathize with. He shows no emotions and has a cynical view on life. Yuji is more of a typical shonen hero — he is kind and will do anything to protect his friends.
However, both characters go through a series of terrible events. Their friends die and they often become the cause of great disasters. The negative consequences of Sukuna being in Yuji's body were shown in the Shibuya Incident Arc, when the King of Curses killed many people during a battle with Mahoraga. Yuji's already compromised emotional state worsened after he saw the Nanami and Nobara deaths.
Of course, the big tragedies in Denji's life have not been adapted yet, but manga readers can confirm that he will face an equally big catastrophe. Some we will see in the upcoming movie.
Frequent character deaths and constant violence are present in many popular shonen.
Denji and Yuji's stories are harsh from the start.
Both characters go through a series of terrible events.
Today, shonen has become darker. Frequent deaths of beloved characters and constant violence are present in many popular shonen titles. Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen show this quite well. Denji and Yuji, the main characters of these anime, go through many trials. Their suffering is sometimes so intense that even fans feel uncomfortable and start to criticize such plot decisions. But if you compare these characters, who is more unlucky?
Hard from the start
The main characters' stories in these anime are harsh from the beginning. Yuji grows up without his parents and knows nothing about them. The only family member — his grandfather — dies in the first episode, leaving only an admonition to help people.
Before he can recover from the trauma, Yuji is confronted with curses and his life changes. To save his friends, he eats the finger of a very powerful creature — the King of Curses Sukuna who becomes Yuji's main problem and the reason why many sorcerers want to kill him.
Denji's story is similar to Yuji's, but it seems to be even tougher. He doesn't even have a grandfather, Denji grew up alone. His father left him with a lot of debts, so he has to take any job, even the most dangerous ones. Denji does not mind eating a cigarette butt or selling his organs as long as he gets paid.
His only friend is Pochita, a small dog-like devil with a chainsaw sticking out of its head. Denji is killed by the mafia in the first episode, he makes a deal with Pochita and survives, but loses his only companion.
Who suffers more?
Of course, Denji's story seems more grim. He is in worse condition from the beginning. Yuji at least has a house and money to live on. However, Denji is sometimes hard to sympathize with. He shows no emotions and has a cynical view on life. Yuji is more of a typical shonen hero — he is kind and will do anything to protect his friends.
However, both characters go through a series of terrible events. Their friends die and they often become the cause of great disasters. The negative consequences of Sukuna being in Yuji's body were shown in the Shibuya Incident Arc, when the King of Curses killed many people during a battle with Mahoraga. Yuji's already compromised emotional state worsened after he saw the Nanami and Nobara deaths.
Of course, the big tragedies in Denji's life have not been adapted yet, but manga readers can confirm that he will face an equally big catastrophe. Some we will see in the upcoming movie.
