The world of Jujutsu Kaisen is one where cursed spirits, born from humanity’s negative emotions, haunt the living. These curses are opposed by Jujutsu Sorcerers, individuals with special abilities who battle the supernatural forces to protect humanity. The series follows Yuji Itadori, a teenager who becomes involved in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after he unwittingly swallows a finger belonging to one of the most powerful curses.
Based on Gege Akutami’s manga, the Jujutsu Kaisen anime has been praised for faithfully adapting the source material, bringing its dark fantasy world to life with stunning animation. However, as the series progresses, the anime has an opportunity to improve upon certain decisions made in the manga—particularly in relation to the supporting characters.
The Vital Role of Supporting Characters
Since the beginning, Jujutsu Kaisen has introduced an impressive cast of supporting characters, including Maki Zenin, Panda, Toge Inumaki, and others, who have provided depth and richness to the series. These characters not only support the protagonist, Yuji, but also help to illustrate the complexity of the Jujutsu world, teaching both Yuji and the audience about the intricacies of this supernatural realm. However, after establishing these dynamics, the manga slowly shifts its focus away from many of these characters, sidelining them in favor of a more narrowed plot.
This shift is particularly noticeable after the Shibuya Incident arc, which serves as a major turning point in the series. During this arc, the stakes are raised, and the entire cast is involved in the chaos, allowing fans to connect with the characters and feel the weight of their sacrifices. Yet, as the story progresses, particularly into the Culling Game arc, many of these beloved characters are pushed to the periphery.
The Culling Game and Its Impact on the Cast
The Culling Game, a high-stakes battle royale orchestrated by the villain Kenjaku, is a key plot point following the devastation of the Shibuya Incident. The game pits Jujutsu Sorcerers against each other in a deadly contest, with rules that govern their survival. While the stakes are high and the plot intense, the arc’s focus on a limited number of characters leaves little room for the supporting cast to play significant roles.
Yuji Itadori, alongside fellow students Megumi Fushiguro, Yuta Okkotsu, and Panda, takes center stage as participants in the Culling Game. However, despite their involvement, many supporting characters who have been integral to the series are either underused or completely absent. This is understandable given the dangerous nature of the game, where only the strongest sorcerers are expected to survive. However, there are still opportunities for the anime to incorporate these characters into the narrative in a meaningful way.
New Characters and the Shrinking Cast
As the Culling Game arc introduces new faces, including dangerous sorcerers and cursed spirits, the focus of the story shifts toward these unfamiliar characters. Unfortunately, much like the previous arc, many of these newcomers are not given the depth or development that would make them feel truly impactful. In comparison to the Shibuya Incident, which allowed for character development and emotional investment, the Culling Game struggles to maintain that level of connection with its audience.
The anime has a chance to rectify this, as the supporting cast—despite their reduced role in the manga—remains a key aspect of Jujutsu Kaisen’s strength. Maki, Panda, Toge, and others still have a role to play in the larger conflict, and the anime adaptation could offer them a more prominent presence through additional scenes and extended fight sequences.
The Anime’s Opportunity for Improvement
While the Jujutsu Kaisen manga has been widely praised for its storytelling, the anime adaptation has the flexibility to expand on certain elements and correct some of the missed opportunities in the source material. One way the anime can enhance the Culling Game arc is by using flashbacks or side stories to keep characters like Toge, Gojo, and others involved, even if they are not present in the immediate conflict.
By introducing anime-original scenes that explore their roles outside the game or extend their contributions to the battle, the anime can add more depth to the series. Other successful anime adaptations, such as My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, and Bleach, have all benefited from anime-original content that allows side characters to shine and develop further.
Jujutsu Kaisen would also benefit from further exploration of its supporting characters. While Yuji remains the central figure, the strength of the series lies in the diverse cast around him. Many of these characters have rich backstories and unique abilities, and sidelining them entirely would be a disservice to the series’ potential. Afterall, Yuji wouldn’t have come this far without the guidance and support of his fellow students and teachers.
A Need for More Development
The absence of supporting characters in the Culling Game arc is concerning not only from a narrative standpoint but also in terms of audience engagement. Fans have grown attached to these characters, and the emotional weight of their potential losses would be significantly diminished if they are left out of the story. The Shibuya Incident already dealt heavy blows to the cast, and losing even more key figures would be a hard pill to swallow for dedicated fans.
By giving the supporting characters more screen time and making their contributions to the conflict more impactful, the anime can deepen the emotional resonance of the Culling Game arc and keep the stakes high for all involved.
The Future of the Culling Game Arc
Details surrounding the anime adaptation of the Culling Game arc remain sparse, but producer Hirosaki Matsuya recently mentioned that new content for the series is in development. With the success of Jujutsu Kaisen at Universal Studios Japan, there is hope that the anime will continue to evolve and expand its universe. As the next season approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting more information about how the Culling Game arc will unfold, and whether the anime will take the opportunity to enhance the roles of its supporting characters.
In the meantime, fans continue to hold out hope that the anime adaptation will improve upon the manga’s decision to narrow the cast. With the right adjustments, Jujutsu Kaisen could build upon its already impressive foundation and deliver a more satisfying and well-rounded experience.
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