The Disappointment of Jujutsu Kaisen

Summary

The video script critiques 'Jujutsu Kaisen' for its underwhelming narrative progression, highlighting the series' side quest syndrome and lack of character development. It argues that the manga squanders its potential by not focusing on the main antagonists or overarching goals, and by failing to provide satisfying subplots and payoffs for its characters. Additionally, the script points out the underutilization of the power system, with many unique abilities and techniques left unexplored, leading to a sense of disappointment for fans who had high expectations.

Takeaways

• 📉 Jujutsu Kaisen was initially seen as a potential contender to rival the 'big 3' of manga but has not lived up to its early promise for some readers.
• 🔍 The manga suffers from 'Side Quest Syndrome,' where many arcs do not contribute to the main storyline or the overarching goal of collecting Sukuna's fingers.
• 🎯 The script compares two types of arc progressions in battle manga: 'Stage Type,' where each arc introduces a new powerful villain, and 'Small Steps Type,' which advances the main goal incrementally.
• 💔 The script criticizes the handling of character deaths and incapacitations, especially when they lack subplots or character development, leading to a sense of wasted potential.
• 🚫 Jujutsu Kaisen has been criticized for not fully utilizing its power system, particularly the concept of Domain Expansions, which are underrepresented among the main characters.
• 🔑 The potential of the power system is further undermined by the lack of exploration of concepts like Cursed Technique Reversal and Maximum Techniques.
• 👥 The small cast of characters in Jujutsu Kaisen is highlighted as a problem, with many main characters lacking their own subplots or character arcs, which is a missed opportunity for depth.
• 🏆 The importance of subplots in long-running battle manga is emphasized, as they contribute to the richness and complexity of the story.
• 🤔 The script points out missed opportunities for payoffs in character arcs, such as Yuji's quest for revenge against Mahito and Megumi's struggle to save his sister.
• 🔮 The concept of inherited techniques from great sorcerer families is mentioned as underdeveloped, with few characters actually utilizing these abilities.
• 🚫 The script expresses disappointment in the late introduction and underdevelopment of the main protagonist's abilities, which limits the exploration of his potential.

Q & A

What was the initial expectation for Jujutsu Kaisen in the context of battle manga?

Jujutsu Kaisen was initially expected to be the new generation battle manga that would come closest to the status of the 'big 3' (presumably referring to popular series like Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece), and at one point, it was believed to surpass My Hero Academia and stand alongside Demon Slayer in terms of quality.

What is the 'Side Quest Syndrome' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to Jujutsu Kaisen's plot development?

The 'Side Quest Syndrome' refers to the issue where the story arcs in Jujutsu Kaisen feel like they are side quests rather than directly contributing to the main plot or overarching goals, such as defeating Sukuna and Kenjaku, or collecting Sukuna's fingers.

What are the two main types of arc progressions used in battle manga, as described in the script?

The two main types of arc progressions are the 'Stage Type,' where heroes fight a new powerful villain each arc without a central goal, and the 'Small Steps Type,' where each arc contributes to the heroes' progress toward an overarching goal.

How does the script's author view the character development in Jujutsu Kaisen compared to other battle manga?

The author believes that Jujutsu Kaisen has underutilized its characters by not providing them with satisfying subplots or character arcs, which is in contrast to other battle manga that give their characters more depth and development through subplots.

What is the author's stance on the deaths and incapacitations of characters in Jujutsu Kaisen?

The author criticizes Jujutsu Kaisen for killing off and incapacitating characters who have not had the chance to complete their subplots or character arcs, which they believe is a missed opportunity for deeper storytelling.

What are 'Domains' in the context of Jujutsu Kaisen, and why does the script's author find their usage disappointing?

Domains in Jujutsu Kaisen are akin to the Bankais in Bleach and represent a powerful extension of a character's Cursed Technique. The author is disappointed because the story has not explored these abilities extensively, especially for the main heroes, instead focusing on villains and one-off characters.

What is the concept of 'Cursed Technique Reversal' in Jujutsu Kaisen, and why does the author feel it is underutilized?

Cursed Technique Reversal is when a user reverses their Cursed Technique, effectively creating a healing ability. The author feels this concept is underutilized because it has only been shown in a few instances and not for many characters, despite its potential for interesting storytelling.

What is the issue with the 'Maximum Techniques' according to the script?

The issue with 'Maximum Techniques' is that they have been poorly explored and used by very few characters, which limits the depth and variety of the power system in Jujutsu Kaisen.

How does the script's author evaluate the concept of inherited techniques in Jujutsu Kaisen?

The author evaluates the concept of inherited techniques as underwhelming because only a few members from each family are shown to use their unique abilities, which contrasts with other series that showcase a wider range of abilities among family members.

What are the 'fumbled payoffs' mentioned in the script, and why does the author consider them as such?

The 'fumbled payoffs' refer to instances where the story's build-up to significant character moments or plot points is not effectively resolved or paid off, leading to dissatisfaction. Examples given are Yuji's revenge on Mahito and Megumi's interaction with his sister Tsumiki, which were not executed as impactfully as the author expected.

In conclusion, what are the main reasons the author finds Jujutsu Kaisen disappointing?

The main reasons for the author's disappointment are the focus on side quests, underdeveloped characters, poorly executed payoffs, and an unexplored power system, which have not lived up to the initial high expectations for the series.