The second season of Jujutsu Kaisen has so far managed to raise the bar for almost everything an anime could be known for. With its stunning fight sequences, immaculate animation, and pacing, the second season is well underway to outdo whatever its first season did, if that has yet to happen.
A key thing to note, however, is the evident difference between the variants of the show's characters from the manga and, currently, the animated series. Whatever these characters did in the story's manga, they have been able to do better in the animated series, raising the question of whether they are better in the anime than in the manga. With the progress and pacing of the show so far, it'll be nothing but the truth to affirm that question, and below are some of the characters who answer this question in the affirmative.
9 Mei Mei
Reason: Evident character depth
Although she is only one of the supporting characters in the series, the grade 1 Jujutsu sorcerer, Mei Mei, has been visibly more outstanding following the return of the show's second season. Compared to the manga variant of the show, Mei Mei has shown a more robust personality, even though her actions within the manga and the current animation series are essentially the same.
However, the delivery of those same actions differs in both forms. This is attributed to the animation team in charge, especially noticeable in the fight against the smallpox deity. Mei Mei’s relationship with Ui Ui also appears much more lively than portrayed in the manga series. A better aspect of her character in the animated series is the increased robustness of her personality as a Jujutsu sorcerer and character.
8 Kokichi Muta
Reason: Better display of full abilities
The Heavenly Restricted second-year Jujutsu student at Kyoto Jujutsu High technically kick-started the Shibuya Incident Arc following his intense face-off against Mahito, despite only appearing briefly all through the series' second season so far left quite the impact: an impact not quite as fierce in the manga than it is in the anime. As much as the contents of the manga and the anime are the same, Muta is one character visibly better in the anime than in the manga, if not for anything else, his battle against Mahito.
In a battle that meant all or nothing and would either result in a significant shift in the events of the Shibuya Incident or his death, the manner of the battle's conclusion in the anime felt more impactful than in the manga. Even through the course of the battle, the anime gives viewers a better understanding of the abilities of Muta through the visuals, essentially giving a lively insight into his character that the manga cannot.
7 Naobito
Reason: Better technique explanation
The head of the Zen'in Clan is another character who is better in the anime than in the manga. This is primarily because of the use of his projection technique. Told to be precisely accurate in his timing and use of strategy in battle, Naobito became the fastest Jujutsu sorcerer other than Gojo Satoru.
The logic of his projection technique is where his character in the anime outshines that of the manga. In the manga, during the fight against Dagon, like other complicated Jujutsu techniques introduced so far, his technique is explained but imaginatively, not in an easily understandable way. However, his use and explanation of the anime technique are flawless and very coherent, making the seemingly complex process easy to follow.
6 Jogo
Reason: Evident depth of emotionality
Despite going out in grand style midway through the Shibuya Incident, Jogo was one of the better-impacting characters. The most level-headed of the special grade curses allied with Pseudo-Geto, Jogo, in comparison to the manga, shows a more robust level of emotionality in the anime, from his arrogance and indifference to his rage and fear.
With each of these emotions, he can solidly pass across better in the anime than in the manga. All of these combine to make his brief presence in the animated series much more resonating, an excellent example of which would be the conclusion of his battle against Sukuna, where he is finally able to realize he may not have been so different from the humans he so desperately wished to replace.
5 Nanami
Reason: Added expressiveness
One of the first significant sorcerers to meet their demise during the Shibuya Incident, Nanami does his job well until the end, but it is how it is done in the anime that puts him here. Known to give very little away through his expressions throughout the show's first animated season and in the manga, in the events leading up to and during the Shibuya Incident, viewers and readers notice an expressiveness of emotion in Nanami that is usually hidden.
However, this detail is more emphasized in the anime than in the manga. A perfect example of how Nanami is better in the anime would be his beatdown of Shigemo. This fight correctly displays the pent-up frustration and uneasiness he had been feeling right until Shigemo fell onto the path of his unabated anger.
4 Pseudo-Geto
Reason: Adequate depiction of his wit
The mastermind behind the Shibuya Incident and the Culling Games, Psuedo Geto, or Kenjaku, also makes his way here through his evil disingenuousness. Throughout the series, his plan of unabated evil is meticulously showcased step by step in both the manga and the anime.
However, the realization of the Shibuya Incident is even more brilliant in the anime than in the series' manga variant. His manifestation of inherent evil is much more evident and disturbing, even though he has only appeared briefly in the show's second season.
3 Choso
Reason: Better depiction of his sense of purpose
The Eldest of the Cursed Womb Death Paintings and brother to Itadori, Choso is another character that appears to be a better character than what the series' manga variant portrays. Typical, aloof, and almost disinterested in the events surrounding him, Choso only shows concern and investment in situations about his brothers.
Following the death of two of his brothers at the hands of Nobara and Itadori, Choso swears revenge against them. This act of revenge specifically amplifies his character in the anime over that of the manga. Despite carrying out the same action in two forms, how it is done in the anime leaves a more impactful taste in the mouth of viewers than in the manga, a fact creditable to the animation team. His fight against Itadori properly showcases the abilities of the special grade curse comprehensively and simultaneously evokes a heavier impact than it does in the manga.
2 Toji
Reason: Detailed animation of his movements
Introduced at the beginning of the show's second season, Toji Fushiguro has been the most impactful character of the show's ongoing season, following from the flashbacks of the past to his summoning into the present. Compared to the show's manga variant, Toji is better in the anime merely because of his presence.
With every appearance so far, he has left an outstanding impact on the surrounding context, and they're essentially the same actions in both the manga and anime. The anime variant has been shown to have far more impact on viewers on the receiving end. A vital example of this is every battle he has been shown to partake in. Similar but superior to the manga, all his battles in the anime have been outrageous, and all carry a more explosive feel than is portrayed in the manga.
1 Sukuna
Reason: Better interaction and fight scenes
The focus and center of attention of the Shibuya Incident, Ryoumen Sukuna, has somehow managed to be even more imposingly menacing than he is in the manga. With a demeanor and aura that can be likened to paralysis around other characters, Sukuna is even more intimidating in the anime compared to the manga. A perfect example is his beat down of the special grade, Jogo.
With a demeanor already stifling enough as it is portrayed in the manga, the anime somehow takes it up a notch, giving the King of Curses an almost apparent wall of evil grandiose that is unapproachable by anyone and akin but also of a different kind to Gojo's Infinity. Another critical thing Sukuna does better in the anime is the menacing manner of his interactions, evident from the request made of him by the twin followers of Geto and his playful banter with Jogo during the battle, ultimately leading to Jogo's demise.
Jujutsu Kaisen
- Release Date
- October 3, 2020
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 2
- Number of Episodes
- 47
- Japanese Title
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- Based On
- Manga
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.63 (Season 1)
