Noor Malhotra
Anime is a unique genre because it enables creators to explore some rather hard-hitting and serious concepts such as death, corruption, enmity, and betrayal by visually (and artistically) disassociating from life. ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ is no different in this respect. It follows Yuji Itadori, a teenage boy who swallows the finger of a demon. Not only is it a cursed talisman, but he also acquires its immense power. Furthermore, by doing so, he becomes a part of the world that involves shamans and cursed spirits.
The show highlights the thin line between good and evil, and the grey area of the morality spectrum is deeply navigated. Moreover, as is usually the case with such animes, it features a gripping storyline and brilliant character development. If you’re looking for something similar, we suggest checking out the list of shows we’ve curated below.
7. Yu Yu Hakusho (1992-1995)
The story follows a teenage delinquent, Yusuke Urameshi, who dies while saving a young child from a car crash. But death is only the beginning. Koenma, who is the son of the Underworld’s ruler, King Enma, offers the protagonist the chance to reclaim his body if he is willing to go through some tests. With the help of his friends, Yusuke passes and is successfully brought back to life.
Yusuke then takes on the role of an Underworld Detective, who is responsible for investigating paranormal occurrences in the human realm. The show does not get carried away while explaining the characters’ internal struggles, and even the fight scenes are not one-sided. By the end, you will realize that most of the personas are as good as they are bad in society’s eyes.
6. Bleach (2004-2012)
A teenage boy who deals with the supernatural? It is a very common trope in anime. Nonetheless, each show puts its unique spin on it, and ‘Bleach’ is an example of this. It is centered around Ichigo Kurosaki, who was born with the ability to see ghosts. One day, he and his family are attacked by an evil spirit known as Hollow. Fortunately for them, Rukia Kuchiki, a Shinigami (death god), comes to their rescue. However, she is injured during the fight and must transfer her powers to Ichigo. The protagonist then trains as a Shinigami and fights to protect people.
5. Tower of God (2020)
Based on a South Korean manhwa (aka comic book), ‘Tower of God’ is all about mysterious powers and unique environments. The protagonist is a boy named Twenty-Fifth Bam, who has always been trapped underneath an enigmatic tower. His only companion is a girl named Rachel. When she enters the tower, he is willing to do anything, even risk his own life, to see her again. Bam, too, enters and meets a plethora of allies who help him with his mission. The show explores the meaning of friendship while also incorporating elements of enigma and battle.
4. Parasyte: The Maxim (2014-2015)
Shinichi Izumi is a fairly normal boy until a Parasyte named Migi makes himself comfortable in the teenager’s right hand. Interestingly, both creatures have retained their intellect and personalities. Albeit begrudgingly, they soon form a friendship while fighting other Parasytes who feast on humans. The series also goes by the original title ‘Kiseijû: Sei no kakuritsu’ and you should check it out when you want an anime with some grim and lurid fight scenes.
3. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012-Present)
‘Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’ makes use of Hamon magic, Stands, and all sorts of enigmatic phenomena to further the plot. But what makes it so unique is that it explores how curses and the past afflict many generations of the same family. Set in the 1800s, it follows Jonathan Joestar (JoJo), a kind-hearted aristocrat, as he clashes with his evil stepbrother, Dio Brando, who has his eyes set on the Joestar fortune. With the help of a stone mask, the nefarious sibling becomes a vampire.
JoJo, on the other hand, has the power of Hamon’s magic. As expected, they fight it out, and JoJo seems to be the clear winner. A century later, his descendants had to deal with some unforeseen problems. Each season is set in a different era and is centered around a JoJo from subsequent generations. (Keep in mind that the protagonists’ names are such that JoJo is a nickname applicable to all). Also, the art style featured in each season is very distinct.
2. Naruto (2002-2007)
Ah, the quintessential anime that almost all such lists are incomplete without. Touted as one of the best series to ever exist, it is the kind of show that will have you feeling all sorts of emotions. We go on an extensive and alluring journey with Naruto Uzumaki, who was just a child when the ill-intentioned and destructive nine-tailed fox was sealed inside him. Due to this, everyone in the Hidden Leaf village (or Konohagakure) detests him.
Growing up, Naruto was always ostracised and alienated. However, this mischievous adolescent ninja soon finds his crowd and is more determined than ever to become Hokage, the village leader. The show has everything – magical beasts, fierce battles, friends turning into foes and vice versa, and an extremely engaging plot. Plus, the story continues with ‘Naruto: Shippuden’ and ‘Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.’
1. Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)
The story follows Gon Freecss, a naive and friendly boy with superhuman senses. He finds out that his father, Ging, who was presumed to be dead, is actually alive and is a Hunter (an exemplary member of humanity). Gon wants to go down the same path and give the Hunter Examinations so that he can find his father and become a Hunter in his own right. Interestingly, the magic system seen in ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ is, in part, inspired by the Nen energy we see in ‘Hunter x Hunter.’ The latter has amassed a massive fan following for a reason, and we suggest you jump on the bandwagon as well.
Read More: Anime Like Hunter x Hunter
