Jujutsu Kaisen: When the narrative becomes a "flaw" for some viewers

A score of 7.7 for the latest episode of Jujutsu Kaisen . A score that raises questions, not because of the animation, the direction or the overall quality of the episode, but for a reason often cited: "there are too many explanations" .

A revealing critique of a shift in consumption

For some time now, a phenomenon has been observed that is becoming increasingly common in the reception of anime. An episode rich in dialogue, explanations or narrative construction can quickly be judged "slow", "useless" or "boring" by a portion of the audience.

The latest episode of Jujutsu Kaisen perfectly illustrates this trend. Yet, these explanatory sequences are essential: they establish the rules, clarify the techniques, structure the narrative arc, and prepare for future events.

Why these explanations are essential

In a universe as complex as that of Jujutsu Kaisen, every power, every technique, and every confrontation is based on precise rules. Without these explanations, the story would become confusing, even incoherent.

The paradox is striking: the same viewers who criticize these "overly explanatory" episodes would probably be the first to complain about a lack of clarity or logic a few episodes later if everything had been glossed over.

Yet these are iconic references.

Works now considered pillars of shōnen, such as Naruto or Hunter x Hunter , have often devoted long periods of time to:

• the strategy
• the rules of combat
• explanatory flashbacks
• the construction of the world

And yet, these series are now unanimously recognized for their depth and coherence.

Expecting an immediate show?

Sometimes it seems that a portion of today's audience is primarily looking for:

• of the constant rhythm
• non-stop action
• immediate spectacle

At the risk of relegating the story, narrative progression, and coherence to the background.

Conclusion: a real debate for modern animation

The question may not be whether Jujutsu Kaisen explains too much, but rather whether our way of consuming anime has profoundly changed.

Have we become too impatient, influenced by social media and short formats? Or is it up to the works themselves to adapt to an audience that now expects constant intensity, even at the expense of narrative?

At KyotoShop , we continue to value works that take the time to build a solid, coherent, and memorable universe.

Discover our selection dedicated to Jujutsu Kaisen and major Japanese animation licenses on kyotoshop.fr .