Jujutsu Kaisen is part of the Dark Trio of shounen anime as it doesn’t shy away from showcasing really dark elements like cursed spirits, grotesque monsters, and beings who hate humans. However, the ending themes or outros of Jujutsu Kaisen tell a different story, and I wonder why.
Why do these seemingly gentle outros provide a striking contrast to Jujutsu Kaisen’s intense narrative?
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The Vibes and Aesthetics of Jujutsu Kaisen's Slice-of-Life Ending Themes
So, the series cranks up the action, death, and sorcery to 11, right? In a nutshell, it's one seriously dark show. But hold up, when it comes to those ending themes, they are like a complete 180-degree difference.
It is almost like you are tuning into a whole new series with wholesome characters and settings. Plus, the color palette in those outros totally switches gears, too.
If we look at Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1’s first ending theme titled Lost in Paradise by the Japanese band ALI, the colors are popping bright.
Yuji Itadori casually slays it in an oversized tee and a cool sling bag, busting some seriously smooth moves.
I mean, his dance game totally gives off those laidback vibes I'm always scrolling through on Instagram, you know?
And then there's Megumi Fushiguro, chilling with his Divine Dogs – it's just downright adorable.
Now, let’s take a look at Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2’s first ending theme titled Akari, which translates to Lantern in English.
Hands down, Akari is my favorite ending theme song because it is heartfelt, warm, and wholesome.
Moreover, I cherish this side of Suguru Geto where he is somber, human, and kind to his friends, including Satoru Gojo. Sadly, we know what happens to Geto after the Hidden Inventory arc.
But coming back to Akari, it flows like a charm, swaying just like the lantern’s glow.
The song and the video take me on a mellow journey into Geto’s changing emotions.
As you listen to the song, it vividly paints the picture of how Geto transforms through all the ups and downs, and his deep suffering.
Akari's lyrics dive deep into Geto's complicated thoughts, giving us a heartfelt look into his inner voyage.
The art style of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2’s first ending theme is spectacular.
Even Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2’s second ending theme, more than words, around the Shibuya Incident arc is beautiful.
It features only Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi hanging around Shibuya and taking pictures using a disposable camera.
So, Why Does Jujutsu Kaisen Feature Relaxing Slice-of-Life Outros?
Why do MAPPA and the creators of Jujutsu Kaisen have these wholesome outros showing our favorite shounen characters doing everyday activities?
Well, you see, why not? Considering that most episodes are intensely gripping, these slice-of-life outros serve as a welcome respite from the harsh world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
Moreover, the series has a dark and serious tone interspersed with a few comedic moments. It is like the series wants to have fun with its powerful and intense characters.
For instance, Gojo is one of the most powerful characters in the series, yet he acts goofy and loves being silly at times. Also, these beautiful and light outros leave me with a good note.
How do you feel about Jujutsu Kaisen’s slice-of-life outros? Share your thoughts with us on X (formerly Twitter) @epicstreamanime and @subarashiibaka.
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