Warning! Contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen #224 and Sakamoto Days #120!
Two of the best fighting manga in Shonen dance, Jujutsu Kaisen And Sakamoto Day, is showing what the future of Shonen matches will look like in two excellent chapters. The manga by Gege Akutami and Yuto Suzuki, respectively, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what Shonen battles might look like, with Jujutsu Kaisen incorporating unique powers and Sakamoto Days adopting John’s style of action. Wick more. Despite their differences, the two seem to have come to the same conclusion about what modern Shonen battles would be like.
Jujutsu Kaisen chapter #224, translated by John Werry, shows the climactic battle between Gojo and Sukuna. Their battle was revolutionary for many reasons, but one very remarkable thing was that aside from shouting an attacker’s name, the two warriors didn’t actually talk to each other during combat. The fight is similar to the one in Sakamoto Days chapter #120, translated by Camellia Nieh. That fight took place between the young Sakamoto and the assassin Slur, who had just murdered Akao, Sakamoto’s friend. Just like Gojo vs Sukuna, this fight has extremely impressive choreography and takes place without words. Although Sakamoto and Slur didn’t deal as much damage as the two witches because they had no magical powers, the fight was still unbelievable. A big part of what makes both of these battles great is their wordless nature, a refreshingly creative approach to Shonen battles.
Jujutsu Kaisen and Sakamoto Days is the future of Shonen Jump Battle Manga
Most battles in the other Shonen series feature a lot of dialogue, either from warriors or from outside commentators. This is often necessary due to the complex nature of these battles, which often have confusing powers and techniques. Series like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and Hunter x Hunter, for instance, feature multi-faceted and often absurd abilities that can be extremely confusing and follow-up during a high-speed battle. Even when the fight itself is simple to understand, writers often prefer to let their characters speak or think about what each hit means to them emotionally and in terms of maturity. This can create some moments of extreme excitement, but it can also distract the reader from the fight. Sakamoto Days and Jujutsu Kaisen are showing that modern manga is starting to move away from that narrative style and let the battles speak for themselves.
Although there were no words, both matches conveyed a lot of emotions. Gojo and Sukuna’s battle was extremely brutal, but the overwhelming power behind each attack only made them more excited as the battle continued, which is reflected in their beaming smiles upon recognition. what the other side can do. Sakamoto and Slur’s fight, on the other hand, is the exact opposite, a brutal attack as Sakamoto vents her grief and frustration over Akao’s death to her killer. All of this is conveyed through facial expressions and combat choreography, making each chapter an outstanding narrative feat.
Other Shonen Jump Manga Should Learn From Jujutsu Kaisen and Sakamoto Days
While these wordless battles are extremely satisfying and engaging, they are difficult to complete. If the manga’s fight choreography wasn’t up to standard, it probably wouldn’t be able to showcase wordless battles like these, ensuring that Shonen’s classic narrative of battles never goes away. But as new Shonen dance manga influenced by series like Jujutsu Kaisen And Sakamoto DayIt is certain that the dialogueless battles will become the gold standard that every fighting manga aspires to.
Jujutsu Kaisen And Sakamoto Day available to read from Viz Media.