Mild spoilers ahead for Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica.
Many fans are already well-aware that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 is on a short hiatus and will return before summer's end, but with three weeks to wait for another episode, some may become antsy. This second season has certainly blown away viewers' expectations, whether they've read the manga or not, so with no new episodes to watch, viewers may be looking for some way to distract themselves from the temporary loss.
One solution is to rewatch Season 1, the film, or both, if one has time. Toho also has its own alternative to recap the most important details. Still, for those who have already tired themselves out binging and recapping Jujutsu Kaisen, there is an alternative option. While MAPPA takes a short break from releasing the anime, fans can take this opportunity to take a quick dive into other acclaimed series that are similar to the beloved Jujutsu Kaisen. Of course, there's no replacing JJK, but since these series are short yet also iconic, it's worth it to take the time to watch more great anime.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Hiatus, Explained
Fans have made speculations that the reason for JJK's hiatus was because of production issues that MAPPA has been facing, but most recently, it's come to light that the series needs to have a break before the upcoming Shibuya Arc is released. No warnings of delays have been announced by MAPPA or Toho, and the manga fans of JJK are especially in favor of the animation studios' decision to have a hiatus, emphasizing the significance of this upcoming arc.
Without releasing spoilers, the Shibuya Arc is a huge moment in the series that is at the core of all the conflict and has the highest-action stakes. The first five episodes of Season 2 certainly had a lot of overwhelming details to take in, and since even the fans are claiming that this next arc is even more intense, a break does make sense. There's also a benefit of MAPPA potentially cleaning up any details to ensure that these next several episodes are perfect, and also the marketing promotion has its pluses as well.
On Jujutsu Kaisen's social media, promotion is at the forefront of the conversation. The hype for Season 2 was already strong before the season began, but now there is even more to be hyped about with this promotion. In the meantime, viewers are being treated to specially curated recap episodes leading up to Episode 6, but this may not be enough to satisfy every anime fan. For those looking for more than recap episodes, there are a few series that are perfect to pass the time.
Noragami Balances Genres In A Similar Way To Jujutsu Kaisen
The 2014 anime Noragami may not have become as iconic as other series, but it is recognizable as a great supernatural shonen anime. There may be more than one season, but it is one of the many series that have a 12-episode limit — that makes for a fairly quick binge-watch. The anime follows two characters — Yato, an unknown God, and Hiyori Iki, a middle schooler — as they cross paths in the most unlikely way. As Yato walks around the city doing odd jobs to build up his name as a God, he is saved by an oncoming bus by Hiyori. Hiyori's near-death causes her spirit to split from her body. Hoping to return to normal, she starts a partnership with Yato, which includes fighting dangerous supernatural beings.
Though there's more of an emphasis on a coming-of-age theme in Noragami, the series has a similar balance of serious and comedic tones to the plot. Its supernatural beings, the Ayakashi, hold a similar presence as the curses do in JJK — though their origin is different. This series may be more laid back in its storyline, but it definitely has a lot to offer for fans of the supernatural, action, and comedy genres of anime.
Hell's Paradise Pulls Viewers In Deep With An Action-Packed Mystery
Since this series recently came out this year, chances are that many viewers have already watched Hell's Paradise, but for those who still haven't, now is the chance. Taking on an original tone and straying far from typical shonen anime tropes, Hell's Paradise proves to be another reminder of why shonen anime are still popular today. It follows the unlikely partnership of a noble samurai and a rogue ninja as they find themselves stuck on a mysterious island brimming with supernatural dangers unknown to mankind. Along with several other duos of samurai and criminals, they are ordered by the Shogun to find the Elixir of Life on this island or die trying. As they learn to cooperate with each other, they must also learn about the mysteries behind the island.
For fans of JJK who also follow the animation studio MAPPA, Hell's Paradise offers incredible animation on top of a riveting story to follow. It's also a series that has been acclaimed for avoiding typical anime tropes of "the power of friendship" and is especially beloved for its lead female character Sagiri, who, like Nobara, challenges female stereotypes. With the unfolding mystery that takes precedence, viewers are left on the edges of their seats, and in a similar way to JJK, the plot is unpredictable. It cuts any over-explanation and expects the audience to be able to keep up with the fast pace in exchange for the most intense battle sequences and dramatic events. As a downside, the series is as tragic as JJK, with some very heartbreaking moments for characters, but it's balanced with some inspirationally high moments as well.
Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica Lures Viewers In With Shojo Pastels
For viewers who are unfamiliar with Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica, this may be a surprising comparison to Jujutsu Kaisen at first glance. The series is introduced as another magical girl anime, but in a series of dark twists, it shocks viewers with a jaw-dropping story that has left fans in heartbreak. Without spoiling more of the anime, the plot follows the protagonist Madoka Kaname as she and her friend, Sayaka Miki, explore the hidden world of magical girls. The two are guided by the magical girl Mami Tomoe and her familiar, Kyuubey, as they face off against supernatural monsters who bring harm to mankind. Not everything is as it seems, but Madoka and Sayaka have high hopes that their greatest wishes will be granted if they follow this new path of adventure and danger.
Fans who enjoyed JJK's dark society and lore will find that Madoka Magica has similar vibes and tones. The action and animation are also something special to watch as they still hold up even after more than a decade. Like JJK, this is another series wrapped up in tragedy, but witnessing the main characters find a way to bounce back from that is part of what is so captivating. With pure-hearted protagonists leading the way in these grim anime, it's hard not to be invested in both these series.
For Jujutsu Kaisen fans, it's definitely frustrating to have to wait for more episodes when this second season has only just begun, but there are plenty of options to pass the time until Episode 6 is released. Not everyone will want to rewatch episodes or recaps, but there are short series similar to JJK that fans can pick up if they haven't already. The best series to watch are Noragami, Hell's Paradise, and Madoka Magica. They're short, similar to JJK in plot, substance, and genre, and are a few of the more dark-toned anime. Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 6, which marks the start of the highly anticipated Shibuya Arc, will premiere on August 31, 2023.