The “generic” label often feels like a lazy criticism.
Summary:
Many fans getting into Jujutsu Kaisen now feel like the fandom overhypes it, saying it’s just another generic battle shounen.
Yes, JJK was inspired by previous Jump manga, as were most other modern Jump adaptations.
However, we haven’t seen many series exactly like it in recent days, and the execution is great, which is the thing that matters the most.
Jujutsu Kaisen has been the hottest topic of online discussions for a while. There are many things one can say about the anime, and, naturally, it’s been topping the popularity charts of airing shows. As such, many people have been getting into the series after seeing it virtually everywhere. However, some have walked out disappointed, feeling like it doesn’t do anything special to warrant such popularity. Is it just another generic battle shounen, or is there more to it than it seems at first glance?
Inspired by other popular series
One can’t deny that JJK has been heavily influenced by other manga and anime (especially those from Jump). The most common comparison drawn is that with Bleach, and Gege Akutami, the mangaka behind JJK, admitted being directly influenced by Bleach. With Bleach being one of the Big Three that influenced almost every battle shounen after it, it’s obvious how Jujutsu Kaisen can feel generic. And with the genre being very mainstream (even people who don’t self-identify as otaku might watch battle shounens!), some otaku might even call most of the works in it generic.
A more refreshing take on the genre
However, others might argue that JJK isn’t generic — especially if you look at the smaller scale. While it’s certainly not groundbreaking or revolutionary, it still represents something that we haven’t been seeing much in mainstream shounen series in recent decades. JJK’s world is visceral and gritty, with a lot of darker elements usually found only in older Jump adaptations.
While that itself isn’t anything new, and even series like Naruto had their gruesome moments, JJK felt like a refresher to many after many battle series forgiving characters for their mistakes and weaknesses too easily. Combine it with a uniquely curious worldbuilding, and the anime suddenly feels like nothing else, especially for newer fans.
The question of whether it’s generic or not is just wrong
The argument of Jujutsu Kaisen being generic, and, therefore, bad, is flawed in itself. “Generic”, in the end, is a very reductive word: everything is inspired by at least something, and that’s perfectly fine. And even if an anime doesn’t do anything new, it can still be great; and this is exactly the case with JJK.
Yes, it might not be the most unique thing ever by itself, but if you take multiple factors into account, it’s a unique experience. Consistently great production, entertaining characters, a cruel but very interesting world and a story that will keep the viewers glued to the screen combine to make an anime that will definitely be remembered over time, proving once again that it’s the execution that matters most.
The “generic” label often feels like a lazy criticism.
Summary:
Many fans getting into Jujutsu Kaisen now feel like the fandom overhypes it, saying it’s just another generic battle shounen.
Yes, JJK was inspired by previous Jump manga, as were most other modern Jump adaptations.
However, we haven’t seen many series exactly like it in recent days, and the execution is great, which is the thing that matters the most.
Jujutsu Kaisen has been the hottest topic of online discussions for a while. There are many things one can say about the anime, and, naturally, it’s been topping the popularity charts of airing shows. As such, many people have been getting into the series after seeing it virtually everywhere. However, some have walked out disappointed, feeling like it doesn’t do anything special to warrant such popularity. Is it just another generic battle shounen, or is there more to it than it seems at first glance?
Inspired by other popular series
One can’t deny that JJK has been heavily influenced by other manga and anime (especially those from Jump). The most common comparison drawn is that with Bleach, and Gege Akutami, the mangaka behind JJK, admitted being directly influenced by Bleach. With Bleach being one of the Big Three that influenced almost every battle shounen after it, it’s obvious how Jujutsu Kaisen can feel generic. And with the genre being very mainstream (even people who don’t self-identify as otaku might watch battle shounens!), some otaku might even call most of the works in it generic.
A more refreshing take on the genre
However, others might argue that JJK isn’t generic — especially if you look at the smaller scale. While it’s certainly not groundbreaking or revolutionary, it still represents something that we haven’t been seeing much in mainstream shounen series in recent decades. JJK’s world is visceral and gritty, with a lot of darker elements usually found only in older Jump adaptations.
While that itself isn’t anything new, and even series like Naruto had their gruesome moments, JJK felt like a refresher to many after many battle series forgiving characters for their mistakes and weaknesses too easily. Combine it with a uniquely curious worldbuilding, and the anime suddenly feels like nothing else, especially for newer fans.
The question of whether it’s generic or not is just wrong
The argument of Jujutsu Kaisen being generic, and, therefore, bad, is flawed in itself. “Generic”, in the end, is a very reductive word: everything is inspired by at least something, and that’s perfectly fine. And even if an anime doesn’t do anything new, it can still be great; and this is exactly the case with JJK.
Yes, it might not be the most unique thing ever by itself, but if you take multiple factors into account, it’s a unique experience. Consistently great production, entertaining characters, a cruel but very interesting world and a story that will keep the viewers glued to the screen combine to make an anime that will definitely be remembered over time, proving once again that it’s the execution that matters most.
