Naruto and Jigokuraku: A Comparison of Two Popular Shounen Mangas
Naruto and Jigokuraku share several similarities apart from being about ninjas, including being popular shounen manga from their respective eras. Both of them are also part of their generations’ Big Three. Naruto’s distinctive shounen characteristics and rhythm include a protagonist who is silly and helpless at the beginning. In contrast, Jigokuraku takes a different direction. This series is part of the Dark Trio, along with Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen. As a result, this series has a darker theme and more mature content.
Although it is more adult-oriented, Jigokuraku shares many themes with Naruto. While the Naruto franchise has a lighter rhythm, its dark current can rival Jigokuraku. Several dark similarities exist between these two series. CBR cites the following dark similarities:
10. Raised as Ninja is Hard
In Naruto and Jigokuraku, the main characters are both raised as shinobi from an early age, leaving behind much of their childhood innocence to train for combat. They are also raised by others. This fact, along with the lack of parental guidance, causes Naruto to become mischievous. In Jigokuraku, Gabimaru learns to control his emotions to become a better killer. Although becoming a shinobi looks cool and fun, Naruto and Jigokuraku both show the cruel reality of growing up as a ninja.
9. Orphaned as a Child
Naruto’s parents, Minato and Kushina, died protecting him from Kyuubi shortly after he was born. This tragic situation creates a bond between Naruto and Sasuke, who also lost his family as a child. With Gabimaru’s family situation, he has similarities with Naruto and Sasuke. When he was young, his parents were murdered for wanting to leave the village. For the same reason, Gabimaru was then betrayed by his village.
8. Shinobi Can’t Leave the Village
Both Sasuke and Gabimaru have a deep desire to leave their village and the shinobi lifestyle, although they have very different reasons. But in both cases, the people in their village don’t allow it. In Sasuke’s case, he doesn’t respect how the Shinobi society treats his clan, while Naruto won’t let his friend go even if he commits a crime. Meanwhile, it’s even darker for Gabimaru. He just wants to live in peace with his wife, but the village head won’t let him.
7. Naruto and Gabimaru Face God-like Creatures
Protagonists in shounen anime are no strangers to facing god-level threats. This tradition continues in Naruto and Jigokuraku. Tensen in Jigokuraku and the Otsutsuki Clan in Naruto are groups of god-like entities with powers that exceed their respective universes. Naruto faced off against the first Otsutsuki, Kaguya, who was so powerful she could alter reality. On the other hand, Tensen is a mysterious creature—and apparently immortal—that even Gabimaru doesn’t know how to kill.
6. Good People Must Team Up with Enemies to Survive
Sasuke and Naruto formed a rivalry that led them to face each other several times. Along the way, Sasuke became a hunted villain. But in the final battle, Sasuke and Naruto were forced to team up to face Kaguya. In Jigokuraku, Gabimaru and the condemned prisoners have to team up with their executioner, Asaemon, if they want to survive in Shinsenkyou. At first, Gabimaru and Sagiri don’t trust each other. But the situation they face forces them to rely on and understand each other.
5. Sasuke and Gabimaru Both Control Fire
Both Sasuke and Gabimaru can control fire, showing one more similarity between the two series.
