5 masterpiece action anime that beat JJK at its own game

There is no disputing that Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the best anime of all time. Since Gege Akutami's original manga was first released in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump Magazine in March 2018, the series has proven to be an instant hit with fans around the world. Readers connected with its blend of heart-racing action, compelling power systems, and heroes like Gojo Satoru who are almost too strong to comprehend, yet still human enough to relate to.

With the debut of the anime in the fall of 2020, the series' popularity skyrocketed like never before, catapulting Jujutsu Kaisen into true stardom. By 2021, the anime had earned its first Crunchyroll Anime of the Year award, an achievement it would go on to repeat in 2024. Jujutsu Kaisen's success is well-earned, but there are several other phenomenal action anime series that deserve just as much love.

Bleach Inspired Jujutsu Kaisen's Creator to Make His Own Manga

The Bleach anime is over 20 years old, originally released in 2004. The story centers around a teenager named Ichigo Kurosaki, who finds his life transformed suddenly by a mysterious new set of powers he must make sense of and learn to harness. Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, someone who protects humanity from malevolent spirits called "Hollows."

Bleach is not just excellent in its own right; it paved the way for many other famous, beloved anime series. Remarkably, Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami himself has often referenced Bleach as one of his greatest sources of inspiration when working on his own manga. Akutami's love for Bleachwent so deep that, in middle school, he even created a book of poems inspired by the series.

Many aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen, from the concept of battling Cursed Spirits to the brave heroes who risk their lives fighting, are reminiscent of Bleach. Because it is one of Akutami's personal favorites and one of the best action anime, Jujutsu Kaisen fans should certainly give Bleach a watch.

Demon Slayer Backs Up its Action With Emotional Depth

Demon Slayer is world-renowned, even among people who are typically not familiar with anime. Many people choose Demon Slayer as their first starter anime because it has something for everyone to enjoy. Whether someone is looking for laugh-out-loud humor, dramatic fight scenes, or characters sharing emotional and shocking backstories, Demon Slayer delivers.

Tanjiro is different from typical anime heroes because he does not just match the stereotype of a ruthless fighter; he has genuine empathy for everyone, even the demons he has to kill. Many of the demons he encountered, like Akaza and the Hand Demon, have tragic pasts. Although that does not excuse their heinous crimes, it does allow Tanjiro to feel sympathy for what they've gone through, which makes him a more multifaceted character. Because of the series' focus on character development, Demon Slayer does not just provide the action fans crave; it also has emotional depth that sets it apart from many other anime.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Blends Art, Pop Culture, and a Creative Power System

Among thousands of titles, anime series as unique as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure are hard to come by. Each of its arcs focuses on a different character from the same family, the Joestars. The members of the Joestar family have powerful abilities, the most noteworthy of which is called a Stand. Stands are manifestations of each character's powers that can be controlled by the user and wielded in battle, and each Stand has its own interesting design that reflects aspects of the user's personality.

JoJo's distinctive art style and creative Stands ensure that each new arc is different from the last. Many of the Stands are also named after pop culture references, like bands and song titles. As culturally relevant and artistically daring as it is, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is an anime that fans won't want to miss out on.

Hunter x Hunter Features a Similar Power System to Jujutsu Kaisen's

Bleach is not the only anime to inspire Jujutsu Kaisen's creator. Hunter x Hunter was also an influence on Gege Akutami. Hunter x Hunter follows Gon, a young boy working to pass the Hunter exam and reunite with his long-lost father. During his journey, Gon meets other characters with lofty ambitions of their own, like the talented Killua and motivated Kurapika, and they work together in pursuit of what is important to each of them.

Hunter x Hunter's power system, Nen, will seem familiar to those who understand Jujutsu Kaisen's Cursed Energy system. Both of these techniques are rather complicated and involve the user harnessing and controlling a power found within themselves to fight against their adversaries. Anyone who particularly enjoys Jujutsu Kaisen's battle sequences will surely take delight in Hunter x Hunter's fights as well.

Attack on Titan Provides a Sobering Look at the Horrors of War

Attack on Titan's legacy is still going strong, three years after the anime ended and five years after the manga's conclusion. The series can often be very gruesome and dismal because it follows a society living in fear of attacks by man-eating Titans who threaten everyone's lives. When the Titans do strike and break down the walls protecting Shiganshina for the first time in a century, Eren Yeager, the series' main character, finds himself caught up in a battle between humanity and the fearsome creatures.

Attack on Titan explores the horrors of war in-depth, which is something few series have done as thoroughly as this anime has. It can be difficult to watch at times, as proven by the horrific twist that occurs in the very first episode. However, Attack on Titan does not just feature gore and death for shock value; its action is grounded in larger messages about the realities of war and the lengths people go to in order to protect those they love.