Few creations from the world of Shonen anime and manga are as renowned as the “Big Three” titles — a term that was originally coined to define the worldwide phenomenon that One Piece, Bleach, and Naruto achieved. As time passed, new competitors appeared to be competing for positions in this prestigious tier. Among them, Yūki Tabata’s Black Clover has subtly grown to be a powerhouse, captivating viewers with its thrilling fight scenes, appealing characters, and magical universe.
Even still, Black Clover is surprisingly underrated despite its success with its Netflix movie — especially in comparison to other modern heavyweights like Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia. The success of the movie makes this underappreciation even more puzzling.
The Journey of Black Clover Within the Shonen Realm
From its debut in 2015, Black Cover has constantly faced an uphill battle. Initially, many people criticized it for being too similar to other Shonen series, as the story revolved around the rivalry between two orphan brothers, Asta and Yuno, in order to become the Wizard King. Asta, a boy born without magic in a world where magical powers are everything, embarks on a journey to become the most powerful mage in the kingdom.
The similarities between Asta and other well-known Shonen heroes, such as Naruto Uzumaki and Luffy from One Piece, were immediately pointed out by the critics. However, Black Clover started to establish its own identity as the story went on. The characters became more developed, the world-building became more elaborate, and the story arcs more captivating. What at first glance appeared to be a typical Shonen series, developed into a colorful, action-packed story that won over an emerging fandom.
Both in Japan and internationally, this series gradually started to gain significant fan following. This rise in popularity was largely due to the 2017 premiere of the anime adaptation. The series stood out in the crowded world of Shonen anime thanks to its rapid action sequences, unique soundtrack, and stunning animation.
The turning point for the series came with the 2023 release of its Netflix movie, “Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King“. This anticipated movie managed to capture the essence of what makes Black Clover special. Its success on Netflix not only introduced Black Clover to a wider audience but also showcased that the series could hold its own alongside other popular anime franchises.
The Underappreciated Brilliance of Black Clover
Despite its success, Black Clover remains somewhat under the radar. Unlike Jujutsu Kaisen, which is dominating the anime and manga realm with its dark themes, or My Hero Academia, which has been praised for being a cultural reset for its exploration of heroism; Black Clover hasn’t received the same level of critical acclaim or mainstream attention.
Upon exploring the reason for the limited exposure of Black Clover, there are a few factors that come to light. First, it’s frighteningly long for an unknown result, with the manga having 369 chapters and the anime having over 150 episodes.
The sheer number of Shonen series competing for readers’ attention currently could be another factor. Even when a series like Black Clover consistently delivers top-notch entertainment, it’s possible for it to get lost in the crowd amongst other popular series like Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen.
However, to write Black Clover off as just another Shonen would be disregarding the work of Yūki Tabata. The series has a depth and complexity that extends beyond the simple quest of the protagonist to become the Wizard King. It may not be as much intense and gory like Attack on Titan, but each chapter unfolds unique takes on combats, grimoire-based powers, and character development.
As Black Clover continues to build its identity, it’s worth considering what the future holds for the series. With the manga still ongoing and the possibility of further anime adaptations on the horizon, there’s a strong chance that Black Clover will eventually receive the recognition it deserves. Despite being on hiatus for more than a while, the Netflix movie has already proven that there’s a substantial audience for Black Clover. And as more people discover the series, its reputation may well increase.
Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King is available to watch on Netflix.
