The latest findings from Parrot Analytics crowned Jujutsu Kaisen as the most in-demand anime, much to the ire of One Piece and Attack on Titan fans. While topping the charts is impressive, does it translate to Jujutsu Kaisen being objectively “better”? Popularity doesn’t necessarily dictate quality.
For instance, despite all the love that Demon Slayer gets, its animation quality and emotional quotient stand out, but little else does. This rise in popularity of Jujutsu Kaisen raises the question: is it really better than the two behemoths it bested?
Some One Piece lovers were flabbergasted by how an anime that has been airing for over 20 years was beaten by a newbie with only two seasons, 47 episodes, and a ton of production issues. Yet, it’s fair to say that Jujutsu Kaisen is a competent competitor to the long-running series. If the length of a series determined its quality, then Sazae-San, airing for over 50 years, should be the most in-demand anime show.
But that’s not the case, is it? Great anime enthrall viewers for various reasons: stunning animation (Demon Slayer), compelling plots (Attack on Titan), thrilling action, fantastic music, or unforgettable characters (Gojo Satoru, anyone?). Ultimately, it’s about sheer enjoyability.
Now, coming back to the question, can we really say Jujutsu Kaisen is better than One Piece or Attack on Titan? Diplomatically, it’s pointless to compare them because they aren’t even from the same genre. But let’s compare them anyway based on enjoyability.
One Piece, AOT, and JJK are all well-animated and keep fans engaged. Attack on Titan gained fame for its unique premise and plot that easily pulls you in. It keeps you on edge before turning into one of the best political narratives out there. The Rumbling’s impact will be widely debated in the years to come.
One Piece’s strength lies in retaining viewers for over two decades. Oda is still tight-lipped about what exactly the One Piece is, though he admitted he might have to rethink it. Jujutsu Kaisen, a distinct battle shonen, excels at immersing viewers in its exhilarating battles.
Its well-defined power system, reminiscent of Hunter x Hunter, and amazingly choreographed fights make the series stand out. The fight between Mahito and Itadori in Shibuya wasn’t just a battle of powers; it was a clash of ideologies, executed perfectly! Characters grow, mature, or spiral into evil through these fights.
While One Piece has overarching themes of adventuring and camaraderie, a good chunk of it is still made up of fights that pale in comparison to those in Jujutsu Kaisen. One Piece’s fights fit into the same mold – nakamas getting bodied and then getting back up against all odds to win. Jujutsu Kaisen, like Attack on Titan, subverts some shonen cliches.
However, Attack on Titan, which had been the most in-demand show since 2020, lost out to Jujutsu Kaisen due to AOT’s demand decreasing after it finished airing in two parts and Jujutsu Kaisen’s Season 2 airing towards the end of 2023, boosting its demand.
Despite the hype, Attack on Titan couldn’t land the ending well, leaving a bad taste. Jujutsu Kaisen could follow a similar path, but so far, the manga and its anime adaptation are consistently delivering. If the Shibuya arc propelled Jujutsu Kaisen to such heights, the upcoming Gojo vs. Sukuna fight promises to be monumental.
True, all three anime are from different genres, but in terms of enjoyability, Jujutsu Kaisen seems to be leaping ahead, thanks to its high-octane content. There’s no downtime in the manga, as one major event follows another, which is how Akutami set up the series. For fans of battle shonen, these hyped-up, thoroughly enjoyable fights are all they need!
