Summary
Empyreal Cabinetis an action-fantasy manga series that began its publication in theWeekly Shonen JumpMagazinein August 2024. The series follows the story of a group of individuals known as exorcists, who fight against vicious monsters that terrorize Japan.
The series, created by Fumiji Yuba, blends elements of traditional Japanese mythology with modern-day issues and politics, resulting in a unique and intriguing world that feels truly alive. The series has the potential to become just as popular as Gege Akutani’sJujutsu Kaisen, a manga with which it shares many similarities.
20 Shonen Jump Manga You Need To Be Reading in 2024
It can be difficult to decide which manga from Shonen Jump’s large catalog are worth investing time into, but these are the ten best to read in 2024.
A World Where Magic Users Walk Among Us
The Series Explores How a Universe Where Magic Exists Would Work
The story ofEmpyreal Cabinetcenters around a young exorcist named Toya Tatsumori, a member of the Ministry of Shrines. This stoic but kind hero is a member of a group of humans known as spellcasters, beings able to manipulate the arcane forces and use them to their convenience. Toya’s job requires him to travel to different districts where sightings of monsters, known in this universe as balebeasts, have been reported. With his team, these talented warriors get rid of the vicious creatures, preventing non-spellcasters from dying.
Due to his status as a public employee, Toya also has to deal with the intricacies and difficulties that come with servicing his country, the titular Empyreal Cabinet. This fictional nation was created when the spellcasters of Japan protested for their right to self-govern. This will seemingly represent a challenge moving forward, as chapter #1 strongly hints at the government of the Empyreal Cabinet hiding the truth about the increase in balebeast encounters. Despite this, the series has an amazing potential to become a new classic amongthe incredible fantasy manga that exist.
Empyreal Cabinet Combines Fantasy Elements With More Serious Topics
The Series Combines The Urban Fantasy Of Jujutsu Kaisen With Somber Realism
At first sight,Empyreal Cabinetcan seem like a regular Shonen manga. The series does indeed share many similarities with other works of urban fantasy, like the acclaimedJujutsu Kaisen. Both stories follow a young, caring, and powerful warrior whofights against bloodthirsty monsters in current-day Japan. While these tropes are undoubtedly found in both manga,how they are utilized is completely different.
For example, while Jujutsu sorcerers are careful not to reveal themselves to regular humans, the spellcasters inEmpyreal Cabinetare known and respected throughout Japan. The fact that Yuba’s series also deals with heavy political themes greatly differentiates it from Akutani’s series.
There is a high likelihood thatJujutsu Kaisenserved as an inspiration for this recent fantasy manga. It is no secret that Gege’s series is among the most beloved and popular in recent years, andShonen Jumpis trying hard to find a successor, now thatJujutsu Kaisenis approaching its conclusion. Nonetheless,Empyreal Cabinetdoes seem to be following a completely original path, focusing more on the daily grievances of a supernatural fighter who has to deal with a corrupt government.
