Get Backers & Jujutsu Kaisen:
One day I was scrolling through my old photos from my old desktop and I happened to bump into one photo; an anime that I adored and is very underrated: The Get Backers.
I was looking at the characters and I remember how much Ginji and Ban act together and how much they care for one another. But then, I realized that they kind of remind me of another two pairs of character.
Yup! The closer I look the more I see the resemblance in the character design and even personality.
I’ll go into more details on how they are and why I think it’s very similar. And I’ll also would love for you guys to check out the classic Shonen manga/anime!
Right: Megumi Fushiguro Left: Ban Mido
Ban is one of the main protagonists in the classic series called “The Get Backers”. The power that he has is basically strength like a snake and has really powerful eyes called “The Jagan Eye”. His eyes can create a dream for one minute but can only use it 3 times and has to wait a while 24hrs to use it. He’s very smart when using that power because of the amount time he has. When it comes to fighting in general he is hella smart.
As for Megumi, we all know his powers; shikigamis. Not saying their powers are similar but it’s cool to see they they both involve an animal.
He is one of my favorite characters in the series just like how Megumi is mine in JJK.
I compare them by looks because of the hair, eyes, and even height, but it’s not just that, it’s also the personality as well. Ban is very closed to himself and very logical when it comes to situation. He’s also very observant just like Megumi. Though, I will say that he also reminds me of Gojo a lot but not just by power but also by being arrogant and shit. Basically if Gojo raised Megumi to be more like him, Ban would be the child that Gojo would have raised.
Right: Yuji Itadori Left: Ginji Amano:
Ginji is another one of my favorite character in the series and is also the main protagonist, just like Yuji who is also my favorite! He reminds me of Yuji so much starting from their compassionate personality to even their cute signature faces! His powers contains electricity like a eel.
Now, for their personality it is very very similar. Ginji is the type of person that understands everyone and is very empathetic just like Yuji. He would even try to understand why someone is trying to commit murder or even robbing a store. Another thing is that Ginji gets very angry when a friend is hurt or in danger.
What’s crazy is that Ginji was in a gang. He was actually the most powerful leader and consider to be very dangerous. In theory, he has a “bad side” of him which is cold hearted and again dangerous.
Ginji isn’t the type of person that gives a shit about money (unlike Ban) just as long as they get back something precious from their client; he would even do it for free just to make them happy. He is just that type of guy.
The relationship between Ginji/Ban & Megumi/Yuji:
I know I said that I have never seen two main guys who aren’t your typical rivals and your basic shonen boys other than Megumi and Yuji, but looking back they are literally what Megumi & Yuji can be if they developed more and communicated.
Ban’s & Ginji’s relationship is built on trust and communication, while Megumi’s & Yuji’s is also built on trust & action. I would love to say communication with Yuji and Megumi, but they still need to work on that which I’m very excited to see but they do show it in their action but sometimes you need to speak it out. Unlike Ginji & Ban who shows their trust by action and words.
What I appreciate Ban and Ginji’s trust is that they know that they’re fucking strong/dangerous and they didn’t need anybody to help them since the beginning, but both boys will not hesitate to go and help each other out even if it means to risk their life. I also believe that Megumi and Yuji both acknowledge that their both strong but won’t also hesitate to have each other’s back.
Another thing I love is that if nobody can afford Ban’s and Ginji’s service Ginji wouldn’t hesitate to still offer help. Yes, Ban would disagree and try to convince Ginji that they need but of course money doesn’t matter to Ginji just as long as he can see the customer smile and be happy. And yes, Ban does his service for free because of Ginji’s compassionate ways of helping other’s. They legit changed each other to better each other out from their past. As for Yuji and Megumi, we can see that both of them has changed ever since meeting each other. Both of them inspired each other to better themselves as well.
The Get Backer boys are such the complete opposite of each other but yet they balance each other out perfectly; Ban being the grumpy and lil shit while Ginji is the ray of fucking sunshine. Again, same with Yuji and Megumi; Megumi being the introvert while Yuji being the one who would bring rocks to Megumi. It’s funny because if you guys decide to read/watch The Get Backefs you’ll see that Ginji is very affectionate towards Ban while Ban is more subtle but you’ll see that Ban will hug, smile, laugh, and puts an arm around Ginji becasue well Ginji makes him feel that way. Yuji and Megumi aren’t like that but if they were I have a feeling Yuji would be the one who would put all his affection towards Megumi while Megumi would do things on the dowow but sometimes would compliment Yuji or even hug him. I would like to say that Yuji and Ginji are considered “himbos” but in reality their action pretty fucking smart especially when it comes to strategies in fights.
I mention that Ginji jumps on Ban and everything but he’s affectionate towards everyone but it’s very different when it comes to Ban. I forgot to mention that Ginji also calls Ban but his name but adds “Chan” at the end; “Ban-Chan”. We all know what the “Chan” lol.
Anyway, I would love to explain more but I personally don’t like writing a lot because I actually suck at putting my thoughts into writing.
I do want to say that I wonder if Gege ever watched this series or know about it because again, it is very rare to see two main boys not be rivals. When I watched/read this series it was a breath of fresh air not seeing your typical shonen boys.
I am going to say this: this ain’t a yaoi series, it’s shonen series and it’s actually pretty fucking dark and violent.
BUT
Ginji and Ban are consider canon without saying their canon. No, they do not kiss but you do not need a “make a move” to prove that you’re canon. They’re the blue print (jk lol) of how shonen romance should work because of the development and chemistry that they have. They’re so dramatic they literally can’t be without each other for hours lol. So, honestly, if you want to read a good series with a good health relationship between two boys then please consider it, but I will say you will be in pain.
Another fun fact that I found interesting is that the illustrator of The Get Backers series is also a fan of “boys love” (just how Gege also finds many “boys love” series interesting):
Well, again, I really do hope you guys check this series out! Hope you like my essay!
