I'm not sure how often this month I'll cover Shonen Jump anime but here's your first one!
The reason for avoiding them is because their reading app is really bloody cheap and the entirety of their old/new publications are available easily so I can enjoy these stories in their original format.
On that note, where do y'all read none Shonen manga? Is there another app or source I should take a look at?
Alright, let's get started!
Cold open, eerily tense and atmospheric as hell with an immediate threat of execution before the title card. The only info we're given is a passive mention of a school and BAM, title sequence. *hacker typing* I'm in.
This theme song SLAPS!! That funky guitar, chirpy drums and catchy vocal hook making use of an octave drop for some contrast already makes me dread the inevitable music change in future season's sequences.
The visuals for the intro sequence have a bunch of really bizarre visuals scattered throughout but it doesn't feel as though any of them are too spoiler-ific which is a relief. My choice favourite is the PANDA DOING PARKOUR(?!) along a rooftop in what I assume is Tokyo.
Before we get in to the meat of the show, the credits music and visuals were a total surprise to me too. They don't match the show's vibe whatsoever and I'm totally fine with it đ
FINGER FOOD
The premise of the show is relatively simple but within two episodes we already learn that Sukuna's fingers can either be out in the wild, held by powerful combatants or already consumed by other curses means we're in for whole lot of variety whilst hunting them down.
It's a bit of a reverse Voldemort and Horcruxes situation. Instead of weakening or humanising Sukuna each time a finger is devoured, it will actually build their strength instead which is a way cooler approach because the threat grows as the power scale in the series will!
Speaking of fingers, after two episodes I've yet to learn how combat and curses really function in this world yet.. In the first episode there was some Naruto'esque jutsu hand dancing ahead of summoning the two wolves yet in episode two the Principal didn't seem to need the same triggers to bring his dolls to life. Maybe it's like other shows where the more powerful / experienced a character is, the less external input they require to trigger abilities?
Also, eating that moldy ass finger... Yuck! NO THANK YOU
WHAT'S POPPING?
The animators behind this show have already demonstrated immense talent in adding a 'pop' to both comical and combat moments.
The dramatic disfigurement of characters when they get a top down jackhammer punch or a gut blow all look devastatingly powerful. The way these grotesque looking curses just wrap about Yuji's fist like some ASMR putty is dope!
To compliment that sense of impact, the sweeping shots that give the illusion of a 180 degree camera REALLY wowed me in the rooftop scene and the pacing of the Headmaster's bear as it pinballed around the room got my blood pumping. In shonen, speed is king and it's already being showcased.
The foley work is top notch in this show too. From the glint of a teddy bear's eye through to the pow when Yuji's powers burst out of him for the first time were a treat!
A PROMISE TO GRAMPS
From one episode alone I was hooked. This'll be sitting on the top shelf of my AniMAY continue-to-watch list!
The glints of combat have been sick, the comedy has made me laugh out loud (particularly the unexpected Jennifer Lawrence line) and the combined efforts of matte colors vs texture patterns for monsters keeps things visually interesting.
The pacing was perfect (I loved the cold open in EP1 and then the VHS fast forward to the same conversation in EP2 đ), the breadcrumbs of story are yummy enough to lead me down the path to episode 3 and I'm excited for what's to come. Good work.
Keep those suggestions coming in, the list is every changing and can be found below
Sayonara! ăăăȘă!
Full list for AniMAY can be found here: