Why Fans And Critics Love ‘My Hero Academia’ and ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’

My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen: two powerhouses that have set the world on fire. They have earned places on critics and fans’ lists of best anime and manga series in recent years. With both of their manga due to finish this year, it’s a great time to look at what makes them so good and why they’ll be remembered long into the future.

The My Hero Academia (MHA) manga began in 2014 and is written and illustrated by Kōhei Horikoshi. The anime followed in 2016 and quickly cemented its reputation as a brilliantly original and compelling series. For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure, My Hero Academia takes place in a world where 80% of the population has superpowers (known as “Quirks”). Our protagonist, Izuku Midoriya, is a Quirkless boy who dreams of being a hero. He catches the attention of All Might, the Symbol of Peace, who trains him and gives him his power, One For All. Izuku (later known by his superhero name, Deku) becomes a student at U.A. High School to train alongside other superheroes and defend the world against evil.

There are many great superhero anime; at first glance, My Hero Academia may not seem like anything new. But that first glance is wrong. The series is packed with engaging, relatable characters, villains with compelling motives and backstories who pose real threats, and plot arcs that have kept fans on the edge of their seats for nearly a decade. It brilliantly turns superhero tropes on its head. In the superhero-dominated world, those who are Quirkless struggle with the awareness of their vulnerability. At the same time, Quirks do not come without a cost; the show’s natural humor is offset by some truly brutal injuries our heroes suffer in battle. The series shows us time and time again that heroes are all too human: they can get tired, lose confidence in themselves or the system, push themselves beyond what is healthy, and, crucially, make mistakes.

The high school setting, bright colors, and endearing silliness of My Hero Academia are in stark contrast to Jujutsu Kaisen. The manga, written and illustrated by Gege Akutami, began in 2017 with a short run in Jump GIGA before being serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump. It was the best-selling manga of 2022, even out-selling Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. The series follows Jujutsu sorcerers who are dedicated to fighting Cursed Spirits. These monsters form where there is concentrated negative energy, which gives you an idea of the tone of the series. Our protagonist, Yuji Itadori, sees his life change forever when he becomes infused with the spirit of a powerful, cursed sorcerer, Sukuna. He and the other Jujutsu sorcerers must use their Cursed Energy to fight Cursed Spirits and curse users and prevent the spread of chaos and destruction. 

Yuji’s power is the definition of a double-edged sword. He must wield it in order to save those around him, but doing so risks unleashing the terrifying Sukuna on the world. The antagonists of Jujutsu Kaisen are cunning, relentless, and ruthless. Akutami understands that purpose, not power, makes villains terrifying. It is Akutami’s elegant and confronting artwork that really drives home the danger and darkness of the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. He does not shy away from graphic violence or unsettling depictions of cursed spirits and the havoc they wreak.

The My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen manga are published in Weekly Shōnen Jump. It’s interesting to contrast their two incredibly popular anime. They’re both original, thought-provoking, and well-paced. Their animation styles, while different, are outstanding. From villains to fight sequences to quietly emotional scenes, they bring characters and stories to life in a way that stands out from many other anime. Whereas My Hero Academia fits within the structure of a high school story, Jujutsu Kaisen takes place in a darker, more precarious world. My Hero Academia has a staggering number of characters, while Jujutsu Kaisen focuses on a smaller number and arguably develops them more thoroughly. While My Hero Academia draws inspiration from American and Japanese sources (including Naruto, Spider-Man, and other Marvel comics), Jujutsu Kaisen is infused with Japanese mythology and folklore. The series’ main antagonist, Ryomen Sukuna, for example, has existed in Japanese mythology since the 8th century.

The two series have amassed huge and often overlapping fanbases. As two of the most popular anime, there is no end to the toys, collectibles, and merchandise dedicated to them. Our favorite characters have been immortalized in many different ways, from action figures to dioramatic statues to Funko Pops! Izuku is, of course, hugely popular among fans. His transformation as he uses his Quirk, One For All, makes him the perfect subject for some exceptional collectibles. The dioramatic statue from Banpresto shows Deku mid-battle, with the U.A. High School at his feet, delivering his trademark Delaware Smash. Banpresto has The Amazing Heroes-Plus action figures, including Flame Hero: Endeavor (a.k.a Enji Todoroki) in Vol 3. Endeavor is one of the most impressive Pro Heroes in My Hero Academia and the figure shows him shrouded in flames, ready for a fight. For fans of Jujutsu Kaisen, Funko has a vinyl Pop! figure of Megumi Fushiguro, Yugi’s fellow student and ally, accompanied by his Divine Dog. Fushiguro has a powerful cursed technique that allows him to summon shikigami (spirit beings) in animal form, such as the Divine Dogs. This Funko Pop! is easily one of the coolest we’ve seen in a while. From Bandai, there is a Figuart action figure of Suguru Geto from his Jujutsu Technical High School days, long before he became one of the most powerful villains faced by our protagonists.

Safe to say, My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen are two standout anime from the last decade. It’s hard to truly do justice to their originality, creativity, incredible characters, beautiful animation, and compelling storylines. With both manga set to end this year, the sad day is coming when we’ll say goodbye to these incredible shows but that is, thankfully, not today. And who knows what projects Kōhei Horikoshi and Gege Akutami will turn their hands to next? With their incredible casts of characters and rich world-building, both series have huge potential for spin-offs. Or maybe we’ll be treated to next-generation sequels in the future like we saw with Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. It’s definitely a space we’ll be watching closely. 

What are your opinions on My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen? Do you agree that they belong on lists of the best anime of all time? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, for all things anime and manga, pop culture, online deals, and more.

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