8 Books/Manga Like Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is an action fantasy manga written by Gege Akutami. This manga contains a unique power system, well-rounded characters, and a wonderful world. Jujutsu Kaisen’s been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine since March 2018. The series currently has 21 volumes to its name and a remarkable anime and film adaptation by Studio Mappa. It’s one of those modern series that’s garnered immense praise and attention from Shonen Jump fans.
If you’re in the mood for more action-fantasy manga that offers a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 8 books/manga to check out when you’re caught up with Jujutsu Kaisen. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, do comment below and let us know!
Bleach – Tite Kubo
Similarities –Characters, Dark World, Epic Fights
Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen feature darker aesthetics that many will find appealing. The former is considered to be a part of Shonen Jump’s all-star line-up of classic titles next to One Piece and Naruto. This series contains wonderful tension and can deliver twists that’ll leave you speechless. This manga follows the life of Ichigo Kurosaki who gets attacked by a monstrous beast called a Hollow.
A Soul Reaper named Rukia comes to Ichigo’s aid. However, Rukia doesn’t harbor the strength to defeat the Hollow. Therefore, she gives Ichigo a taste of her power and he defeats the Hollow. With his new abilities, Ichigo must defend his home from menacing humans and Hollows alike.
Bleach can feel slightly fast-paced due to most of its story being told through fights. The artwork looks stylish and evokes a gloomy atmosphere. With its dark themes, stylish battles, and well-rounded cast, you’re in for a fun read with this one.
Chainsaw Man – Tatsuki Fujimoto
Similarities – Scratchy Art Style, Characters, Action
Chainsaw Man is another modern battle shonen that’s starting to attain a worldwide following. This manga contains some intriguing monsters, immense gore, and colorful characters. Tatsuki Fujimoto’s artwork looks astonishing, making it simple for fans to immerse themselves in the manga’s world. This story follows Denji, a troubled boy who teams up with a small Chainsaw Devil named Pochita.
His goal is to repay the massive debt his father never paid off because of his unfortunate death. One day, Denji and Pochita travel with a yakuza member to a warehouse to complete a devil-slaying mission for cash. Sadly, Denji and Pochita get ambushed and betrayed by the yakuza who’ve teamed up with the devil Denji was supposed to slay.
They leave Denji and Pochita to die in a dumpster. However, Pochita sacrifices himself to give Denji a taste of his powers. As Chainsaw Man, Denji lays waste to the yakuza and the devil. A woman named Makima arrives and offers Denji an opportunity to work for Public Safety, where a life of luxury awaits him. He accepts and we follow his new life slaying devils.
Denji and Yuuji are quite alike in personality and occupation. They work for organizations that request them to slay monsters to maintain world peace. Despite the seriousness of their occupation, Denji and Yuuji aren’t afraid to act goofy. Both mangas strike a wonderful balance between serious storytelling and lighthearted jokes. If you’re looking for an action-packed manga with some fun violence and stellar design, give this one a shot.
Hunter X Hunter – Yoshihiro Togashi
Similarities – Complex Power Systems & Action
Hunter X Hunter is an action-packed and adventurous series. This manga contains a complex power system, well-rounded characters, emotional storytelling, and mature themes. In this manga, we follow Gon Freecss, a young boy who leaves his home island to become a professional hunter like his mysterious father, Ging Freecss.
During his journey, he’ll make many friends and meet dangerous enemies. Despite appearing as a child protagonist, Gon receives crucial development and undergoes vast maturation because of the situations Yoshihiro Togashi places him in. He’ll encounter situations where he’ll need to cope with an ally’s death and hold back his emotions to prevent jeopardizing missions.
It’s these emotional circumstances that help Gon evolve into a rounded protagonist. He’s not the only one who receives vast characterization and development. Togashi spends time fleshing out the side characters and villains. Some of their demises will make you shed a tear and sympathize with them. Check out Hunter X Hunter if you require more action-packed series to read.
Hell’s Paradise: Jigoraku – Yuuji Kaku
Similarities – Martial Arts, Characters, Dark Atmosphere
Hell’s Paradise: Jigoraku (Jigoraku), Chainsaw Man, and Jujutsu Kaisen are often grouped together as the dark Shonen Jump trio. These manga feature characters fighting off monsters to appeal to an organization’s demands. Like Jujutsu Kaisen, this manga has fast-pacing, epic fights, and a dark world with a chilling atmosphere.
This tale revolves around an emotionless ninja named Gabimaru the Hollow. He resides on death row after being set up by his former colleagues. He’s a bit suicidal but wishes to remain alive. He hopes he can return to his wife. Suddenly, he meets a famed executioner named Asaemon the Decapitator who understands his emotions.
She requests Gabimaru to join an expedition to search for the elixir of life. If he complies, she’ll pardon him. Despite having to travel to a dangerous island, Gabimaru complies. This manga gives off eerie vibes with the monstrosities that reside on the island. Jigoraku leans more into sword-fighting than hand-to-hand combat. Nonetheless, fans will enjoy seeing our heroes slash monsters with their excellent swordsmanship. Give this a shot if you want another dark shonen manga to read.
Kaiju No. 8 – Naoya Matsumoto
Similarities – Humans Vs Monsters
It’s always fun seeing large monsters fight each other on the big screen. Naoya Matsumoto’s Kaiju No. 8 gives off a similar vibe. Instead of bringing that thrilling tension on a movie-theatre widescreen, he gives readers a similar experience with his manga. In Kaiju No. 8, we follow a sweeper named Kafka Hibino.
His job is to clean up the monster that remains left behind by the military unit called the Defense Corps. It’s been Kafka’s dream to work alongside the Defense Corps, but he had to set aside those dreams for unfortunate reasons. However, Kafka gets his chance after a strange parasite kaiju enters his mouth and transforms him into a humanoid monster.
With these powers, Kafka plans to fulfill his past childhood dreams. Kafka and Yuuji provide similar concepts. Both characters have their lives changed when an otherworldly entity enters their body. They fight multiple well-designed creatures who harbor different means of harming mankind. The action doesn’t disappoint and will leave you craving more. If you’re looking for another manga with incredible designs and entertaining plots, give Kaiju No. 8 a try.
Black Clover – Yuuki Tabata
Similarities – Supernatural & Action
Black Clover is in the middle ground of Shonen Jump. While it has a core following, it’s not as popular as My Hero Academia or Chainsaw Man. The series’s protagonist Asta’s energetic energy may put people off at first. However, if you’re willing to stick with the manga, you’ll adore the growth he receives as it progresses.
The manga has a simple plot. It revolves around a young wizard named Asta. He’s not that skilled in magic but has incredible strength. His lack of magical prowess influences his peers to ridicule him. After fighting a menacing opponent, Asta taps into magical powers that lie inside himself. With this newfound discovery, Asta embarks on an adventure and hopes to become his world’s, Wizard King.
These series contain charming supernatural elements and have their characters grouped up in teams. The enemies they encounter will push them toward their limits and help them grow as human beings. Both series have distinct art styles that feel appealing and grand. Black Clover’s world feels more expansive than Jujutsu Kaisen’s though. Fans looking for a fun supernatural manga set in medieval times should give this one a shot.
Dandadan – Yukinobu Tatsu
Similarities – School Setting, Action, Supernatural
Yukinobu Tatsu’s Dandadan is a bizarre action series with incredible artwork. The series’s characters have wonderful chemistry and it handles romance a bit better than Jujutsu Kaisen. Tatsu’s art style is immaculate. You’ll have a hard time not feeling immersed in the manga’s world and action scenes.
Our story occurs amidst an encounter between the series’s protagonist Momo Ayase and a bullied boy. She saves him from ridicule, leading to the boy ask her about supernatural subjects. Ayase tells him that she’s not interested in his take on supernatural topics. She’s more of a believer in ghosts than the occult.
The two head to separate locations to prove their worshipped entities’ existence. Ayase travels to a place that’s rumored to house the occult while the boy heads to a place where ghosts reside. They discover both exist and get roped up in scenarios that’ll make it challenging for them to return to their mundane lives. This manga serves as an amalgamation of many genres from charming romance and off-the-wall comedy. Give it a read if you’re looking for the epitome of bizarre.
Naruto – Masashi Kishimoto
Similarities – Action, Supernatural, Characters
Naruto is a pivotal manga for Shonen Jump. Even though it has its issues, it managed to tell a charming narrative that went on to inspire several modern manga fans are reading as we speak. With its dramatic events, exhilarating action, and powerful messages, Naruto contains enough delightful content to keep old and new manga fans satisfied.
This manga revolves around a pathetic ninja named Naruto. He likes pulling pranks and getting on people’s bad sides. Many people despise Naruto for his foolish behavior, while others ridicule him for harboring a demonic entity that laid waste to his home village several years ago. Despite the belittlement he receives, Naruto’s goal is to become his village’s Hokage.
Like Jujutsu Kaisen, Naruto taps into the supernatural realm. The Naruto universe contains an iconic chakra and jutsu system that allows our cast to perform superhuman-level attacks from cloning themselves to spitting out large fireballs. The fights feel like spectacles in Naruto. Each punch and kick carries weight and some bouts might bring you to tears. If you’re looking for violent and impactful work with great storytelling, check out Naruto.
So there we have it, our 8 books/manga to read after you’ve caught up with Jujutsu Kaisen.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!