What to do in the first chapter of a battle manga: Thinking after reading Jump works
In applying for the Jump Plus Original Story Grand Prize that closed recently, I thought about whether there were any common elements depicted in the first chapters of Jump works, especially battle manga, and performed my own analysis on several works.
I learned a lot during the analysis, so I would like to write an article about it.
Now, to start with the conclusion, I believe the following four points are presented as common elements.
■ Common elements of the first chapter of battle manga
1. The protagonist's motivation (the protagonist's character)
2. The enemy to fight
3. Catharsis within the first chapter
4. The hook for the next chapter
1. The protagonist's motivation: This is the point of why the protagonist takes action and what their driving force is. I think this is also a point that leads to the protagonist's character traits.
2. The enemy to fight: Needless to say, this is the opponent the protagonist fights in the work. It might change during the course of the work, but it is the opponent the protagonist must defeat at the time of the first chapter.
3. Catharsis within the first chapter: Whether there is a proper climax within the first chapter. Without this, readers cannot judge whether the story is interesting or not, and they will not feel like they want to read the next chapter.
4. The hook for the next chapter: Whether there is a device that makes the reader want to read the next chapter. This includes unresolved mysteries, meaningful lines, or things that suggest the next incident to occur.
Now, I would like to look specifically at the flow of the first chapter of each work and where the above elements are included. The target works are World Trigger, Chainsaw Man, Kaiju No. 8, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
World Trigger
Flashback scene, Osamu being saved by Yuichi Jin.
Invasion of Neighbors into Mikado City and explanation of Border: [The enemy to fight]
Osamu's situation at school. A serious glasses-wearing character.
Depiction of delinquents. -> (Accumulation of hate)
Yuma's arrival at school. Showing his ability by being completely unharmed after a collision with a car.
-> (Having a police officer ask his name makes Yuma state it naturally)
Yuma arrives at school.
Depiction of delinquents again. They point out Yuma's ring violates school rules and try to make him take it off.
Yuma refuses.
Osamu follows up, saying there must be a reason.
-> (Establishes Osamu's character and creates a connection between Yuma and Osamu)
Yuma tells them the ring is a memento.
Yuma tells the doubting teacher, "It's true." Close-up of eerie eyes.
-> (Establishes Yuma's character. Gap from his light tone)
The teacher is frightened and leaves. The homeroom teacher asks Osamu to look after Yuma.
-> (Although it's a subtle depiction, it reinforces the connection between Yuma and Osamu)
Delinquents harass Yuma while the teacher is away.
-> (Accumulation of hate)
Yuma fights back: [Catharsis]
-> (Along with the catharsis, Osamu says that Yuma has a combative personality)
Yuma: "You tell boring lies" -> (Yuma's catchphrase). Osamu and Yuma go home after school.
-> (The depiction up to this point gives persuasiveness to the fact that the two are going home together)
Delinquents call them out.
Since there was a counterattack, only Yuma is called out, but Osamu intervenes.
-> (Establishes Osamu's character)
Osamu is easily beaten by the delinquents.
He warns them about the restricted area, but is ignored.
-> (Foreshadowing the appearance of Neighbors)
To the delinquents who say "Go help him," Yuma says, "Glasses-kun stuck his neck out on his own, so he has to handle it himself."
-> (Establishes Yuma's character)
A delinquent swings a stick at Yuma. Yuma easily catches it and crushes his foot: [Catharsis]
-> (Foreshadowing that he won't be able to move by crushing his foot)
A Neighbor suddenly appears: [The enemy to fight]
One of the delinquents whose foot was crushed is captured.
Osamu goes to help.
To Yuma's question, "Why are you going to help?"
"Because I think that's what I should do" -> (Catchphrase symbolizing Osamu)
: [The protagonist's motivation]
He answers, chants to activate his Trigger, and stands up to the Neighbor.
: [Catharsis]
However, he lacks the ability and is defeated.
Seeing that, Yuma activates his Trigger and defeats the enemy that beat Osamu in one blow.
Osamu overlaps the image of Yuma and Jin.
He introduces himself again, "Not Glasses-kun. Osamu Mikumo."
Yuma smiles broadly, saying, "I see. Osamu."
After the battle, Osamu realizes Yuma, who possesses a Trigger, was a member of Border, and Yuma tells him, "I am a Neighbor": [The hook for the next chapter]
The development is careful and there is no waste in the depiction. Looking at it this way, you can see that there is meaning in the casual depictions. The reasoning for Osamu and Yuma to interact, and the reasoning for the delinquents to be left behind are firmly depicted. Also, it can be seen that the characters of the two protagonists are carefully established at every opportunity.
Chainsaw Man
Denji's monologue. -> (It is understood that he is in a situation covered in debt to the point of selling his own organs)
Appearance of Pochita.
Appearance of a devil: [The enemy to fight]
The devil is killed instantly with good tempo.
Denji's debt situation and relationship with the Yakuza are disclosed in the Yakuza's conversation.
-> (Accumulation of hate toward the Yakuza)
Depiction of Denji being so short of money that he doesn't mind smoking cigarettes at all.
Denji's monologue in the shack.
"They say you put jam on bread and eat it," "I want to hug a woman before I die."
: [The protagonist's motivation]
-> (Foreshadowing for the punchline of the first chapter)
Flashback, Denji and Pochita's meeting.
Contract from Denji to Pochita, I'll save you so save me.
-> (Recovered in the climax of the first chapter)
Talk of dreams: [The protagonist's motivation]
Yakuza's betrayal. -> (Accumulation of hate)
Appearance of the Zombie Devil.
Denji's death.
Pochita's flashback. Denji's dream, a normal life, a normal way to die.
Contract from Pochita to Denji, in exchange for giving you my heart, show me your dream.
Denji's awakening. He defeats the devil along with the Yakuza who took him in: [Catharsis]
Makima appears.
Denji: "Let me hug you": [The protagonist's motivation]
-> (Proof that Denji's personality is not lost even after becoming Chainsaw Man)
Makima discloses the setting of being a Public Safety Devil Hunter: [The hook for the next chapter]
Makima's conditions: bread with butter and jam, salad, coffee, and dessert.
-> (Foreshadowing recovery of Denji's motivation, contrast with the Yakuza. The choice between being killed as a devil or kept as a human is by no means a good condition, but because there is foreshadowing of Denji's motivation and catharsis against the Yakuza, the reader accepts it naturally)
First of all, Denji's motivation is very simple and easy to understand (money, delicious food, women). Although he is a character that is difficult to depict in Jump magazine, he is a new character design that is the opposite of the troubled characters of today. Since the motivation of delicious food will be resolved from the next chapter onwards, the ratio of women among his motivations will increase. Since there are multiple flashbacks, it seems like a complex structure at first glance, but it actually leaves the impression of being a fairly simple structure. Since Denji's plight and the Yakuza's wickedness are depicted in an easy-to-understand way, the catharsis is also great.
Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju superpower Japan: [The enemy to fight] -> (Disclosure of world setting)
Kaiju being defeated.
Contrast between the Third Division and the protagonist.
Introduction of Kafka Hibino, the protagonist, and narration of his monologue.
Members injured by Kaiju body fluids.
-> (Disclosure that it is a dangerous job and direction of Kafka's veteran feel)
Introduction of the Third Division, contrast with Mina Ashiro.
Flashback.
Mina: "Let's exterminate the Kaiju together": [The protagonist's motivation]
Kafka: "Why am I on this side..."
Reno Ichikawa appears.
Hopes to join the Defense Force -> (Contrast with Kafka, accumulation of hate)
Both are assigned to the work of dismantling intestines.
"You stand up to it no matter what" -> (Establishes Kafka's character)
Kafka gives lunch to Reno -> (Establishes Kafka's character)
Situation setting for reconciliation with Reno and challenge to the Defense Force: [Catharsis]
Appearance of a Yoju (lesser Kaiju).
-> (Change of pace from reconciliation to sudden crisis)
Kafka risks his life to save Reno. -> (Establishes Kafka's character)
Kafka makes Reno call for help and stays behind alone to face the Yoju.
Flashback.
Past where his house and school were destroyed by Kaiju.
Ichikawa comes to help, Kafka tormented by his helplessness.
Rescue by the Third Division, contrast with Mina Ashiro.
Kafka sad alone in the hospital. Kafka decides to challenge the Defense Force in response to Ichikawa's clumsy gratitude: [Catharsis]
A mysterious small Kaiju parasitizes Kafka.
Kafka turns into a Kaiju.
Ichikawa and Kafka are surprised, and it is reported.
Ichikawa: "Let's run, senior": [The hook for the next chapter]
At the time of the first chapter, Kafka is just an ordinary person and does not have the power to defeat Kaiju. Therefore, the catharsis is not defeating the Kaiju, but being recognized and thanked by the cheeky Ichikawa. While Ichikawa accumulates hate, Kafka's character is carefully established. The development of turning into a Kaiju has a strong hook for the next chapter.
Jujutsu Kaisen
The situation where there is no "Special Grade Cursed Object" in the collection box -> (Disclosure of setting)
Conversation between Fushiguro and Gojo.
Itadori enjoying Kokkuri-san at the Occult Research Club. However, the club is about to be kicked out.
Itadori's affiliation is revealed to be the track and field club. He goes to a match against the advisor to join the track and field club.
Fushiguro appears at the rugby field. Appearance of a curse: [The enemy to fight]
Itadori demonstrates amazing ability in shot put.
He has to be home by 5 o'clock, he likes the Occult Research Club, Itadori's circumstances.
Fushiguro senses the presence of a cursed object from Itadori.
Itadori visits his grandfather at the hospital.
Grandfather: "You are strong, so help people": [The protagonist's motivation]
Grandfather's death.
Fushiguro appears at the hospital. Explanation of curses. Itadori only had the box.
Two members of the Occult Research Club peel off the seal of the cursed object at school at night.
A curse appears inside the school building.
Fushiguro heads into the school building. Itadori is left alone but remembers his grandfather's dying wish.
Fushiguro finds the Occult Research Club member with the cursed object, but it's too late.
Itadori jumps in and saves the member: [Catharsis]
Surprise attack by the curse, Fushiguro is defeated, and the curse escapes outside the school building.
Itadori fights the curse in cooperation with Fushiguro. "Help people" flashes back.
In a deadlock situation, Itadori swallows the cursed object.
Ryomen Sukuna awakens and defeats the curse in one blow: [Catharsis]
Itadori's consciousness stops Sukuna from trying to rampage.
Fushiguro declares to Itadori that he will "exorcise him as a curse": [The hook for the next chapter]
In that the protagonist transforms at the end of the first chapter, it is a development similar to Kaiju No. 8, and the hook for the next chapter is strong. Regarding the protagonist's motivation, it will continue to be developed in the next chapter, but at this point, it leaves a relatively weak impression. As for Itadori's character design, he looks like a delinquent, but his inner self is a kind young man, which is the exact opposite direction of, for example, Denji. He is the type who adapts to the situation.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Tanjiro going through the snowy mountains carrying Nezuko. -> (Hot start)
Flashback.
Depiction of Tanjiro and his family. -> (Background of the protagonist's motivation)
Tanjiro goes to town. He identifies the culprit who broke the plate as a cat by smell.
-> (Disclosure of the ability of "having a good nose." You can see that he has a track record from the depiction of being easily trusted)
Tanjiro is asked for help by the townspeople. -> (Depiction of being a kind person)
In the evening, when he tries to return to the mountain, Saburo-ji-san stops Tanjiro.
"Demons will come out" -> (Suggestion of [The enemy to fight])
Presentation of the existence of Demon Slayers.
Tanjiro considers Saburo-ji-san. -> (Establishes Tanjiro's character)
The next morning, when he returns home, his family other than Nezuko has been killed.
Return to the opening scene.
Tanjiro descends the mountain carrying Nezuko.
Nezuko turns into a demon and attacks Tanjiro.
Tanjiro thinks from the smell that "this is not the usual Nezuko."
Nezuko sheds tears at Tanjiro's persuasion.
Giyu attacks Nezuko. Tanjiro protects Nezuko at the last minute.
-> (You can see that his combat sense is excellent)
Giyu takes Nezuko and tries to kill her. -> (Accumulation of hate)
Tanjiro desperately persuades him that he will surely return Nezuko to normal: [The protagonist's motivation]
Tanjiro kneels down because he cannot persuade him.
Giyu: "Don't let others hold the power of life and death."
Giyu tries to stir him up by abusing Tanjiro. -> (Lots of monologues)
He stabs Nezuko with his sword.
Tanjiro throws stones, and throws an axe up from behind a tree to attack Giyu.
-> (Depiction of excellent combat sense. Establishes Tanjiro's character of trying to save Nezuko even if he is cut)
Giyu is surprised: [Catharsis]
Nezuko, who has turned into a demon, protects Tanjiro. Giyu: "These two might be something different."
Giyu knocks Nezuko unconscious. When Tanjiro wakes up, he tells him to visit Sakonji Urokodaki and leaves: [The hook for the next chapter]
After burying his family, the two descend the mountain.
Although the existence of demons is hinted at, they do not appear at the stage of the first chapter, so Giyu is accumulating hate in this story, and Tanjiro striking back is the catharsis. By repeatedly depicting him as a kind young man who cares about his family, he gives persuasiveness to the protagonist's motivation. Also, depictions of Tanjiro's excellent combat sense, such as avoiding Giyu's first sword strike and using the shadow of a tree as a distraction, are also included. The enemy to fight and the protagonist's motivation do not waver until the final chapter of the story, and are set in an easy-to-understand way from the beginning.
What did you think?
Looking at it this way, I get the impression that works published on Jump+ in particular present the enemy to be fought very quickly, making the story progress faster. This might be a difference between magazine serialization and web publication.
What I am analyzing here is only the story and the progression of the plot, but since these are manga works, I think that if we also analyze the paneling, how scenes are framed, and how they are presented, we would be able to see even more.
(I am once again realizing how amazing manga artists are for being able to create stories and draw the art as well...!)
Story analysis was a great learning experience, so I would like to continue doing it in the future.
Thank you for reading.
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