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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 thatOne Piece,Bleach, andNarutoachieved. As time passed, new competitors appeared to be competing for positions in this prestigious tier. Among them, Yūki Tabata’sBlack Cloverhas subtly grown to be a powerhouse, captivating viewers with its thrilling fight scenes, appealing characters, and magical universe.
Even still,Black Cloveris surprisingly underrated despite its success with its Netflix movie — especially in comparison to other modern heavyweights likeJujutsu KaisenandMy Hero Academia. The success of the movie makes this underappreciation even more puzzling.
The Journey ofBlack CloverWithin the Shonen Realm
From its debut in 2015,Black Coverhas 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 tobecome 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 fromOne Piece, were immediately pointed out by the critics. However,Black Cloverstarted 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.
“It’s all based on my feelings”: Yūki Tabata Made Black Clover Characters with One Thought in Mind that Helped Asta and the Others Stand Out
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.
Honestly? IF there was another “Big Three,” then these would be the manga.– Black Clover is still huge.– JJK blew right passed every other manga.– My Hero is probably the most influential anime in the last decade after One Piece.https://t.co/1k2Ezh2ihx
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 makesBlack Cloverspecial. Its success on Netflix not only introducedBlack Cloverto a wider audience but also showcased that the series could hold its own alongside other popular anime franchises.
The Underappreciated Brilliance ofBlack Clover
Despite its success,Black Cloverremains somewhat under the radar. UnlikeJujutsu Kaisen, which is dominating the anime and manga realm with its dark themes, orMy Hero Academia, which has been praised for being a cultural reset for its exploration of heroism;Black Cloverhasn’t received the same level of critical acclaim or mainstream attention.
Nobody wants to talk about that sadly
Black clover “being huge” doesn’t get it above something like demon slayer which is like 20x more popular and relevant around the globe. Even Tokyo Revengers can go above BC 😭 black clover doesn’t have motion like JJK or MHA
Black Clover is literally the opposite of huge anymore. It could unironically get axed and no one would be surprised 😭
I love black clover but don’t the other two have drastically more sales? Even with black clover growing in popularity it has 70-80 million less in rotation
Black clover is sadly starting to fall out of grace with its release and pause on the anime. My hero completely fell out of grace with its lackluster last arc. JJK is going strong but with 5 chapters left, it might take the nose dive.
Upon exploring the reason for the limited exposure ofBlack 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 likeBlack Cloverconsistently delivers top-notch entertainment, it’s possible for it to get lost in the crowd amongst other popular series likeDemon SlayerorJujutsu Kaisen.
“They don’t change too much”: Yūki Tabata’s Disastrous Approach Gave Black Clover Such a Huge Flaw It May be Why Fans Call it the Lowest of the ‘New Gen Big 3’
However, to writeBlack Cloveroff as just another Shonen would be disregarding the work ofYūki 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 likeAttack on Titan, but each chapter unfolds unique takes on combats, grimoire-based powers, andcharacter development.
AsBlack Clovercontinues 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 thatBlack Cloverwill eventually receivethe recognition it deserves. Despite being on hiatus for more than a while, the Netflix movie has already proven that there’s a substantial audience forBlack Clover. And as more people discover the series, its reputation may well increase.
Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard Kingis available to watch on Netflix.
Moumita Chakraborty
Articles Published :930
Moumita Chakraborty is a seasoned Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 900 published articles. Passionate about the vibrant world of Japanese anime, she brings sharp analytical skills and cultural insight to every piece. From dissecting intricate plotlines to spotlighting the latest trends and releases, Moumita’s work resonates with both casual fans and seasoned otakus. Her writing aims to connect with fellow anime enthusiasts while contributing meaningfully to the ever-growing anime community.
