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The ending of a long-running Shonen manga is a defining moment, shaping how the series is remembered for years to come. Yet, many iconic series stumble at this critical point, falling victim to what fans consider the “Shonen Epilogue Curse”. This trope is marked by rushed conclusions, unnecessary time skips, or bizarre character redesigns that fail to resonate with audiences, however,Jujutsu Kaisen‘s ending brought a refreshing change in terms of character design.
Series likeNarutoandMy Hero Academiahave been criticized for these pitfalls, leaving fans dissatisfied despite years of investment. In contrast to that, Gege Akutami’sJujutsu Kaisenavoided cliches of drastic character redesigns or more specifically, weird-looking hairstyles on protagonists.
Awkward short haircut of protagonists: Shonen anime’s epilogue curse
One of the most infamous aspects of the epilogue parts of some major Shonen series is giving the protagonists an awkward-looking haircut, or according to fans“sh*tty short haircut”trope. This trend sees male protagonists suddenly sporting a short, practical haircut in the final chapter or epilogue, symbolizing their transition to adulthood. While the intention might be to signify growth or maturity, fans often view these redesigns as lazy or uncharacteristic.
A prominent example of this trope is Naruto Uzumaki’s design at the end ofNaruto Shippudenand in theBorutoseries. InNaruto, the once-energetic ninja with his iconic spiky hair is reduced to a bland, short-haired Hokage. This redesign failed to capture Naruto’s lively spirit and felt jarring to fans.
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Fans debate that the current design of Naruto looks more robotic or lacks expressions, with some even jokingly calling him“Mark Zuckerberg Naruto“. Another example of this is the design of Deku inMy Hero Academia‘s epilogue. Although not looking too bad in a realistic setting, these haircuts fail to capture the essence that made the characters’ younger selves unique and likable in the first place.
Jujutsu Kaisen‘s fresh changes in character designs
In contrast toNarutoandMy Hero Academia, Yuji Itadori’s character arc inJujutsu Kaisenavoids these pitfalls entirely. Rather than relying on drastic superficial visual changes, Akutami focused on organic character growth. Even in the epilogue part of volume 30, Yuji’s design stays almost the same; with his appearance reflecting his resilience and youthful determination, even in the face of overwhelming trauma.
This approach brought a fresh change in the cliche designing of the main characters in Shonen epilogues, where the creators give them weird, short haircuts that don’t suit them; only to enforce a mature-looking image. Although not all of them are failures, some Shonen protagonists actually nail the look, characters like Naruto or Deku stand out too much for their awkward designs.
Yuji broke the “Shitty Haircut at the end of the manga” Cursepic.twitter.com/N6qDgrPVI1
Bcz he didn’t become a dad?
what the fuck happened to naruto
Manga version used for everyone but Naruto, his cut in the manga actually looks way better. Anime did him dirty
Luffy and zoro at the eospic.twitter.com/RtNnKrA7cz
Gege Akutami‘sJujutsu Kaisenhas set a new benchmark for shonen manga, proving that it’s possible to deliver a definitive conclusion without succumbing to tired tropes. By avoiding cliche character designs, Akutami has crafted a story where the characters remain authentic and resonant to the very end.
“Someday. We’ll meet again”: Gege Akutami’s Author’s Comment Has Reignited the Want of a Jujutsu Kaisen Sequel After Its Upsetting Ending
Although the ending ofJujutsu Kaisenmight not be everyone’s cup of tea, it still demands respect for the characters and the world they inhabit, a lesson that future creators would do well to heed.
Jujutsu Kaisenis currently available to read on Viz Media.
Moumita Chakraborty
Articles Published :931
Moumita Chakraborty is a seasoned Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 900 published articles. Passionate about the vibrant world of Japanese anime, she brings sharp analytical skills and cultural insight to every piece. From dissecting intricate plotlines to spotlighting the latest trends and releases, Moumita’s work resonates with both casual fans and seasoned otakus. Her writing aims to connect with fellow anime enthusiasts while contributing meaningfully to the ever-growing anime community.
