Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the best and most popular anime and manga series of all time. A supernatural and manga phenomenon, it has successfully garnered a huge fan following across the world. Thanks to its gripping storyline and dynamic characters, the mythos has become an integral part of pop culture.
While its alluring characters and intriguing narrative are to be hailed as the reason for its worldwide popularity, the series’ numerous pop cultural references have also played a pivotal role. From Michael Jackson to Quentin Tarantino, the manga and anime have made several iconic references.
So, without further ado, here are 5 of the best pop-culture references that Jujutsu Kaisen has made:
1. Hakari pulling an MJ pose
Kinji Haraki, a third-year student at Tokyo Jujutsu High, is a tall man with a pretty muscular build. known for his self-absorbed nature, Kinji is also pretty moody and often manipulating. During Chapter 186 of Jujutsu Kaisen, in the middle of a fight, Haraki pulled not one, but two MJ poses that are a reference to Michael Jackson‘s Panther Dance.
2. Neon Genesis Evangelion
In episode 11 of Jujutsu Kaisen, the entire Juju stroll featured is no less than a parody of the legendary anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion. In episode 11, the shots are largely reminiscent of those of the NGE, making it clear what the shot wanted to refer to. Even the way Yaga is sitting makes it clear that the gesture is a reference to Gendo Ikari fashion.
3. Luncheon on the Grass
Art enthusiasts would certainly enjoy this particular Jujutsu Kaisen reference the most. In the opening of episode 13, viewers can spot a recreation of the painting, Luncheon on the Grass aka Déjeuner sur l’herbe. Painted by Claude Monet, the painting’s reference is a subtle yet sophisticated reference that adds an artistic layer to the series, blending classical art with anime storytelling.
4. Kill Bill (Quentin Tarantino)
Quentin Tarantino‘s Kill Bill is one of the most iconic action movies of all time, which is a staple part of pop culture today. In Chapter 150 of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga series, the character Maki goes on to fight the Zen’in clan. The fight greatly resembles the Tarantino movie, everything from the technique to the character’s pose, making it one of the most entertaining scenes to witness.
5. Reference to Winnie the Pooh
Jujutsu Kaisen has left no stone unturned when it comes to making pop culture references. A reference that pretty much nobody expected, Chapter 147’s scenes in the forest with the cursed corpses seem eerily akin to that of the 2018 Christopher Robin movie. And when Yaga tries to escape the curse spirits via a tree, the reference to the Winnie the Pooh movie gets as clear as possible.
And so from iconic poses to the many subtle nods, Jujutsu Kaisen has climbed up the ladder of popularity thanks to its many clever incorporation of several pop culture references. Not only do these references make the manga series and anime even more intriguing to watch, but it has also become a favorite pastime of its fans to find as many references as they can.
Jujutsu Kaisen can be streamed on Netflix.
