The popular anime/manga character Megumi Fushiguro from Jujutsu Kaisen has achieved a notable honor this week. He was featured on the cover of the prominent Japanese women’s lifestyle magazine An An.
This marks the first time that a male character has graced the cover of the magazine, which has been published weekly since 1970 and reaches millions of female readers across Japan.
In an illustration revealed on social media by An An, Megumi is depicted summoning his shikigami (spirit servant) Mahoraga. This intense scene connects to Megumi’s role as a Jujutsu sorcerer battling cursed spirits in the series.
The special edition with him on the cover will be available in print on February 7th, 2024.
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— anan (@anan_mag) January 25, 2024
Megumi’s appearance is a reflection of Jujutsu Kaisen’s mainstream popularity and appeal to diverse demographics in Japan. Some fans have reacted with delight at seeing the character featured in such an unexpected place.
It highlights that contemporary anime/manga creations like Jujutsu Kaisen can transcend their core audience and be embraced by the wider culture.
For a male figure to be chosen for a magazine that has always catered to women is perhaps a sign of shifting attitudes. In any case, this magazine cover marks a cultural milestone for the hugely popular Megumi Fushiguro.
Jujutsu Kaisen Fans Find Humor in Magazine Cover Featuring Megumi Fushiguro Summoning Mahoraga
The magazine cover illustration of Megumi Fushiguro striking his iconic pose to summon the fearsome shikigami Mahoraga has sparked much amusement and commentary online this week.
What makes the scene humorous to many fans is the peril that this summoning represents for Megumi himself. According to Jujutsu Kaisen lore, once summoned, Mahoraga will inevitably attempt to kill whoever called it forth.
So the fact that Megumi is depicted readily taking on this lethal risk has become a viral meme within the online Jujutsu Kaisen community. Many fans have created jokes, images, and comments poking fun at Megumi’s seeming nonchalance about endangering his own life, suggesting he has a suicidal recklessness.
Of course, this actually connects to one of Megumi’s most central qualities – his willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good.
While some view this tendency towards self-sacrifice as a flaw or weakness, the popular anime/manga analysis site CBR highlighted it as one of Megumi’s 5 greatest strengths in a recent article.
They noted how his selfless commitment to protecting others makes him a morally outstanding hero, despite his reserved personality.
So the humor surrounding the magazine cover also relates back to the deeper themes around Megumi’s personality that have so resonated with fans. This amusing meme ultimately ties back to why he has become such an iconic and beloved character.
Megumi Fushiguro’s Iconic Status Linked to Jujutsu Kaisen Anime’s Global Success
While Megumi Fushiguro’s appearance on the cover of An An magazine will thrill fans looking to learn more about the character, many will still most associate him with the hugely popular Jujutsu Kaisen anime series.
This dark fantasy show, which streams on the platform Crunchyroll, has captivated global audiences.
Crunchyroll’s description gives a synopsis of the supernatural adventures featured in Jujutsu Kaisen: “Ordinary high school student Yuji Itadori finds himself suddenly thrust into the world of curses and exorcism after he eats the finger of the feared curse Ryomen Sukuna in order to save a classmate.
This act leads him to share a body with Sukuna, and Yuji joins Tokyo Jujutsu High School under the tutelage of the master exorcist Satoru Gojo.
There, Yuji and allies like Megumi Fushiguro battle against sinister curses while grappling with the burden of the power now inside Yuji.”
This “heroic tale” filled with thrilling action and mysterious magic has built a devoted fanbase drawn to both the anime’s style and storytelling. Megumi in particular has emerged as a standout character.
So while special magazine features like An An’s are noteworthy, Jujutsu Kaisen’s meteoric success as an anime series streaming worldwide is what has truly made him iconic.
For many fans, Megumi Fushiguro will be forever linked with his ascent to fame through this medium.
You can read the Jujutsu Kaisen manga on Manga Plus or Viz Media and Jujutsu Kaisen anime on Crunchyroll.
