The recent conclusion ofJujutsu Kaisen’s manga has not only left fans wonderingwhat’s next for the franchise, but it has also made many of them question what to read next. Even though no manga matches Gege Akutami’s story in every way, there are incredible options that can help fans mourn the end of the beloved series while also discovering anexciting story that could fill even a little bit of the void left byJujutsu Kaisen.
There are many supernatural shōnen for those looking for a completed story or who miss the routine of waiting weekly for the next chapter of a manga, as well as some of the action and excitement of a plot that helps you escape from the real world for a while. In any case, whether due to the premise, aesthetics, theme, or evolution of the plot,these shōnen mangas are the best to read after the end ofJujutsu Kaisen.
Jujutsu Kaisen Ending Explained: What Happens To Yuji In The Series' Finale?
Jujutsu Kaisen has ended its historic manga run after six years, and here’s a breakdown of everything that happened at the end of its story.
Noragami (2014)
Cast
Noragami centers on Yato, a minor deity striving to gain followers and recognition. Partnered with the spirit Yukine and the girl Hiyori, who has an unusual connection to the spirit world, Yato embarks on various missions to aid humans and fulfill his goal of building his own shrine. The series explores the struggles of gods and humans, blending action, comedy, and supernatural elements.
2010
109
Status:
Complete
Noragamiis one of the best-known supernatural mangas, which shows the battles of gods to free humans from the influences of ayakashi, beings who feed on the darkness of people, corrupting their hearts, playing a role similar to the curses inJujutsu Kaisen. However, although the story ofNoragamihas its dark moments, it prioritizes comedy and a bit of romance, focusing more on the relationship of the protagonist’s trio formed by a poor and unrenowned god Yato, a mortal Hiyori, and a shinki Yukine.
Since the manga ended recently, which has reignitedrumors of a possible season 3 ofNoragami’s anime, it’s a great time to read it, even for those already familiar with the story.Noragamiis a must-read short manga that moves away from other shônen titles by offering a different approach to Japanese mythology, giving humanity to the gods.
2020
223
Ongoing
Undead Unluckis a manga that can be a breath of fresh air for those who want a break from darker plotsand have enjoyed the lighter pre-Shibuya arcs inJujutsu Kaisen. Undead Unluck follows the story of Fuko and Andy, who have interesting powers that deny the natural laws of the Earth, known as negators, and join an organization responsible for protecting the world from extraordinary phenomena.
The unique power system inUndead Unluckwith unorthodox abilities creates many inventive fights, which consist of a series of rules. Thus, an ability that may seem like a hindrance becomes a powerful weapon if combined with a rule or the ability of another. The manga stands out for presenting one of the best female protagonist in recent shōnen, which is difficult to believe when reading the first chapters, but the story quickly moves away from the exaggerated ecchi, giving Fuko an incredible character development and turning her into a strong and determined leader.
2013
134
Twin Star Exorcistsis a shōnen manga, with a large presence of romance in the plot, having a main protagonist couple, Rokuro and Benio. LikeJujutsu Kaisen,Twin Star Exorcistshas supernatural elements in modern times, focusing on the confrontation between exorcists with spirits or demons, personified by the kegare (evil demons), with touches of humor and a variety of interesting supporting characters.
For those that enjoy the mix of exorcists and romance,Make the Exorcist Fall in Love, currently ongoing on MANGA Plus, is a great option that focuses on a forbidden love.
Twin Star Exorcists' manga also features meaningful deaths, incredible twists, and all-out war, all of this while gradually developing the relationship between Rokuro and Benio. Additionally, the manga presents icredible art, far away from the style of the anime adaptation, that enhances the battles and the dark moments, especially highlighting the Magano, the space where the kegares live, giving it a feeling of a world in decay and darkness.
Sakamoto Days
Sakamoto Days centers on Taro Sakamoto, a former top-tier hitman who has traded his life of crime for a peaceful existence running a convenience store. Despite his attempts to leave the underworld behind, Sakamoto’s past catches up with him as old rivals and dangerous enemies reappear, threatening his newfound tranquility. Forced to defend his family and business, Sakamoto must draw on his lethal skills while navigating the humorous and unexpected challenges of balancing his ordinary daily life with the chaos of his former profession.
184
Sakamoto Daysis a fun manga about a protagonist who leaves his life as a hitmanbehind with aspects that are reminiscent of other works such asGintamaorThe Way of the Househusband, but that feels original by giving it his own touch of action strongly inspired by Hollywood movies, which makes it an incredible manga for beginners.
Although the story is not similar toJujutsu Kaisen,Sakamoto Daysis equally excitingwith incredibly creative battles and endearing characters, with Sakamoto being the one who steals the spotlight, a chubby, good-natured, very calm, and quiet man who contrasts completely when he transforms into a ruthless killing machine, with his only fear being not keeping the promise he made to his wife. Also, sinceSakamoto Dayswill have an anime, it’s appropriate to give the source material a chance to enjoy both formats.
2022
21
Gokurakugaifocuses on mystery and investigation mixed with supernatural elements, where a duo solves all kinds of problems while facing monsters called maga. The manga stands out, especially for its expressive character design and fairly polished art style; however,Gokurakugai’s charismatic characters and the relationships between them are its true charm.
Tao is a mature gun-wielding woman, quite serious and very fond of cigarettes, and Alma is a hybrid and a very typical shōnen protagonist, expressive with an innocently childish nature reminiscent of the cheerful personality of Yuji Itadori. Additionally, the story recallsJujutsu Kaisen, as it is set in a modern world with supernatural monsters and an organization dedicated to hunting them to keep people safe. Despite being monthly, and its slow start,Gokurakugaiis a manga that is sure to become a hit in the future.
110
InGachiakuta, the protagonist is unfairly ostracized in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic-influenced world that feels like a mix betweenMad MaxandSoul Eater, where treasures can be found amidst the trash. This atmosphere is reinforced by its marked artistic style, which makes it stand out from other generic shōnen manga due to its variety of designs and characters with a unique aesthetic.
Gachiakutais heavily inspired by the influence of Atsushi Ohkubo’s works,Soul EaterandFire Force,as Urana worked as her assistant. Ohkubo even named Urana her successor.
LikeJujutsu Kaisen,Gachiakutafeatures an orphan protagonist with unique powersand extraordinary physical abilities who joins an organization that is dedicated to fighting monsters, in this case, aberrant beasts instead of curses, and ends up finding a place to belong and people to protect.Gachiakutahas become one of the best new-gen shōnen manga for its cool characters, worldbuilding, and unique power system reminiscent of the fullbringers inBleach, which will also appeal to seinen fans for its darker themes showing discrimination, slavery, abuse, and violence.
The Next Shonen Mega-Hit Just Got Bigger With a New Anime From the Studio Behind Hero Academia
Gachiakuta is one of the best shonen manga to come out in recent years, and an upcoming anime adaptation by Bones will make it even bigger.
Dandadan
Two high school students, embroiled in a wager to prove the existence of ghosts or aliens, encounter daunting paranormal threats, acquire superpowers, and possibly discover love. The series blends supernatural elements with personal dynamics as the protagonists navigate their newfound abilities and unexpected challenges.
2021
168
Dan Da Dan, just likeJujutsu Kaisen,has become a must-read for dark fantasy manga fans, featuring a story with paranormal beings, incredible action, and an unpredictable plot. Dan Da Dan is a unique manga about the least everyday life one can imagine with a topping of romance that goes beyond only boy meets girl, including boy meets ghost and girl meets alien.
This way,Dan Da Dancreates a world of disturbing spirits and aliens that appear together in the lives of Momo Ayase and Takakura Ken, who begin an endearing and wonderful friendship.Dan Da Dantakes its weirdness to its limits, but that makes it entertaining, being bizarre and eccentric but reveling in it, since in no other manga will readers find a turbo granny and banana-stealing aliens, and all that in the first chapter.
2023
51
Kagurabachi is a dark and edgy manga that’s considered to be the next hit of Shōnen Jump after the ending of the two pillars of the magazine,My Hero AcademiaandJujutsu Kaisen.Kagurabachiwould appeal toJujutsu Kaisen’s fans for its battles and supernatural themes, as it also presents a secret world of sorcerers with spirit energy and swords, but which differs by being a story of revenge.
Additionally,Kagurabachimay be the most cinematic shōnen manga, with a composition and thoughtful paneling, clear transitions, perspective, and angles that feel like a Western action movie and also pays homage to cult films likePulp FictionandJohn Wickwith gory art and violence but with an interesting and well-crafted story that is only getting better with each chapter.
Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku
Hell’s Paradise delivers a harrowing narrative set in the Edo period, following condemned ninja Gabimaru and executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri as they journey to a mysterious island in search of the elixir of immortality, facing monstrous creatures and moral dilemmas along the way.
2018
127
The least famous but equally enjoyable manga from the Shōnen Dark Trio,Hell’s Paradise,is often compared to its peersChainsaw ManandJujutsu Kaisen, because they share the same dark tone and are more violent and bloody than one would expect from their demographic. However,Hell’s Paradisehas its own charm and sets itself apart, taking place at a different time, in the Edo Period, the era of the ninjas.
Hell’s Paradise’sstory occurs on an unwelcoming and mysterious island, presenting an exciting battle royale. WhileHell’s Paradise’s premise is far from resemblingJujutsu Kaisen,Gabimaru’s journey recalls Yuji due to the brutality of his experiences, in addition to his battles against monsters and his questioning of the values of human beings in general.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Manis a dark fantasy manga created by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The series follows Denji, a young man who merges with his devil-dog Pochita to become Chainsaw Man. He joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters to fight devils threatening Japan. The series explores themes of violence, power, and survival. Since its debut in 2018,Chainsaw Manhas gained immense popularity, leading to a critically acclaimed anime adaptation.
179
Part 1:Complete
Part 2: Ongoing
BothChainsaw ManandJujutsu Kaisenare dark urban fantasy stories, one with exorcists and the other with demons, which are derived from people’s fears, and in which the protagonist shares a body with one of these beings, who turns out to be incredibly powerful, in Yuji’s case with the King of Curses Sukuna and Denji with the Chainsaw devil Pochita.
However,Chainsaw Man’shighlight is its more bizarre and chaotic proposal, permeated by more political and social issues, being about subsisting in a world full of violence, destruction, and with figures that manipulate everything from the shadows. Furthermore, it’s characterized by its truly horrifying deaths and explicit scenes with a lot of body horror, but it’s a unique story that only surprises with its twists, even more so in its second part, which makesChainsaw Manthe perfect manga to read afterJujutsu Kaisen’s ending.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisenis a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna’s finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
