Anyone who reads manga or watches anime like Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, and Jujutsu Kaisen has, at some point, encountered debates on which characters are the strongest. What powers win out in each situation? How would different powers interact with one another? These kinds of debates become possible when a mangaka makes power systems that are not only fun to read and watch but also nuanced and full of depth. Today, we’ll be getting into some of the bigger titles and exploring the commonalities that make these power systems so successful.
The first anime on the list to discuss is Hunter x Hunter. What makes the power system of Nen in Hunter x Hunter incredible is how systematic and methodical it is. Nen itself is a life energy that those who are trained in its use can manipulate and harness to produce a variety of supernatural and physical effects. Each user of Nen has a natural proclivity towards a certain kind of use, such as enhancing their physical bodies, conjuring energy constructs, emitting energy over long distances, or even transmuting their life energy into physical substances. These different affinities help determine how effective one’s output of Nen in a given method will be. Beyond even these categories, Nen also has a deeply strategic component, as users develop signature techniques to channel this energy that they can apply to various situations.
A fantastic example of what makes Nen such a wonderful power system is a character like Hisoka. Hisoka’s primary nen technique (called a hatsu) is something known as bungee gum. Bungee Gum on the surface allows Hisoka to create a substance that possesses the adhesive and malleable properties of gum with the bouncy properties of rubber. While this technique by itself does not make Hisoka innately dangerous, his ability to creatively use this technique to entrap opponents, reknit severed limbs, and dramatically enhance his striking power have made him one of the most dangerous characters in the series.
At the same time, Nen does not come without its risks. If we examine the character of Kurapika and his use of his hatsu Emperor Time, it becomes clearer that Nen is also a double-edged sword. Kurapika’s hatsu allows him to dramatically boost his own strength by allowing him to manipulate his nen across all categories with 100% accuracy in exchange for offering up an hour of his lifespan for each second he stays in that state. While this ability makes Kurapika a monstrously dangerous opponent in battle, it is this same power boost that will likely earn the character an early grave.
If we look at Naruto, we can see that chakra retains a similar origin to Nen as being fundamentally rooted in life energy. However, where chakra differs from Nen is in how chakra is used. Chakra is split into elemental types as opposed to sorted by its application. These elements (Fire, Earth, Wind, Water, Lightning, Yin, and Yang) give rise to almost every technique in the Naruto universe. Moreover, certain abilities are inherently genetic, meaning that only those with the prerequisite bloodlines can have the hope of manifesting them.
One of the most famous abilities from Naruto is the Sharingan. This ability is only capable of being manifested by the Uchiha clan. Rare and powerful, this ability, even its base form, allows users to copy techniques from others, read their opponent's movements, and improve their visual acuity. As the story progresses, more evolved versions of this ability, known as the Mangekyo Sharingan, offer incredible powers at the cost of eventual blindness.
If we look at an anime like Jujutsu Kaisen, we can see aspects of Naruto and Hunter x Hunter fused together. The power system in this anime is known as cursed energy. Cursed energy, unlike chakra or nen, comes from the negative emotions humans produce. Human sorcerers and the curses they fight both rely on this cursed energy to perform feats and techniques. Much like Nen, cursed energy responds heavily to the user's emotion, and practitioners can impose limitations and restrictions on abilities to dramatically increase their power. Like chakra, certain cursed techniques and abilities are limited to certain bloodlines.
However, where Cursed Energy differs is how sorcerers and curses use these techniques in combat. Many of the fight scenes in Jujutsu Kaisen are a game of concealing and disguising information. Both parties will try to conceal the mechanics of their techniques and will look to manipulate their opponents into a position where their next mistake will be their last.
So what do all these systems have in common? The first key characteristic is a clear and defined rule system. The second is the obvious risks and weaknesses of using certain techniques. Even the strongest techniques have a weakness, either within the power itself or the character’s usage of their powers. Lastly, these systems all have some manner of individual expression that allows for characters to build distinct identities.
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