Chakra, nen, & cursed energy: Deconstructing shonen’s most iconic power systems & the rules that make them great

In the vibrant world of shonen manga and anime, a spectacular fight scene is only as good as the power system that fuels it. While dazzling explosions and city-leveling attacks are common, a select few series have crafted something more profound. They’ve built intricate systems of power with hard rules, fascinating limitations, and deep philosophical underpinnings. Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, and Jujutsu Kaisen stand at the pinnacle of this craft with their respective power systems: Chakra, Nen, and Cursed Energy. These aren’t just tools for combat; they are narrative engines that define their worlds, shape their characters, and create battles won by intellect and strategy, not just raw strength. This is a deconstruction of what makes them truly great.

The foundation of power: Life energy as the core concept

At their heart, all three of these legendary systems draw from the same wellspring: the life force inherent in every living being. However, it’s in their specific origins and nature that their unique identities begin to form. They take a shared concept and twist it into something that perfectly complements the tone and themes of their respective stories.

Chakra in Naruto is perhaps the most straightforward. It is a mixture of two energies: physical energy, drawn from the body’s cells, and spiritual energy, cultivated through experience and meditation. To perform a jutsu, a shinobi molds these two energies together, often using specific hand seals to shape the effect. This process makes using chakra a tangible skill, something to be practiced and refined like a martial art. Its origins from the divine God Tree give it a mythological weight, rooting the power of every ninja in the very history of their world.

Nen from Hunter x Hunter takes a more esoteric and personal approach. It is simply aura, the life energy that leaks from the body. Learning to control this aura (Ten), focus it (Ren), or conceal it (Zetsu) are the basics. The true expression comes from Hatsu, where a user shapes their aura to create a unique ability. Nen is deeply connected to one’s personality, talent, and life experiences. It is less a tool and more a direct extension of the self, making every Nen user’s ability a window into their soul.

Cursed Energy in Jujutsu Kaisen presents a dark and fascinating inversion of the concept. It is also a form of life energy, but it is born specifically from negative human emotions like fear, hatred, and grief. This leakage of negativity coalesces to form Curses, monstrous beings that haunt humanity. Jujutsu Sorcerers are the rare few who can control their own Cursed Energy to fight back. This grim origin intrinsically ties the power system to the bleak, horror-infused world of the story. Power in JJK is not a neutral force; it is born from suffering.

The rules of engagement: How limitations create strategic depth

A power system with no limits is boring. True genius lies in the rules and restrictions that force characters to be clever. This is where Chakra, Nen, and Cursed Energy truly shine, transforming battles from simple slugfests into high-stakes chess matches.

Hunter x Hunter’s Nen is the undisputed master of this concept, primarily through its use of Vows and Restrictions. To make a Nen ability more powerful, a user can impose a strict rule upon it. The harsher the self-imposed limitation, the greater the boost in power. Kurapika’s “Chain Jail” is the textbook example: its chains are unbreakable, but only when used against members of the Phantom Troupe. If he uses them on anyone else, he dies. This creates incredible tension and allows for highly specialized, potent abilities that feel earned rather than arbitrary.

Jujutsu Kaisen adopted a similar mechanic with its Binding Vows. These are pacts a sorcerer can make with themselves or others to amplify their power. For example, Aoi Todo’s “Boogie Woogie” technique has its rules explained to his opponent, which, through a Binding Vow, increases its effectiveness. The system also introduces Innate Techniques, unique abilities hardwired into a sorcerer from birth. While powerful, these techniques are fixed, meaning a sorcerer must master and creatively apply their given skillset rather than simply learning a new one. This limitation fosters incredible ingenuity.

While Naruto’s Chakra system is more flexible, it imposes limits through resource management and natural talent. Every jutsu consumes a finite pool of chakra, meaning even the strongest ninja can run out of energy. Furthermore, the system of Elemental Affinities dictates that most shinobi have a natural inclination toward one of the five basic nature transformations (Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Water). Mastering an element one is not aligned with is incredibly difficult, creating natural specialists and encouraging teamwork to cover different elemental weaknesses.

Systems of classification: Categorizing abilities for a richer world

To prevent a power system from becoming a chaotic mess of random abilities, a clear method of classification is essential. It provides a framework for the audience to understand the scope of what’s possible and how different characters relate to one another in terms of skill and style.

Once again, Nen sets the standard with its elegant Six Nen Types. A simple Water Divination test can reveal a user’s natural category, which often reflects their personality:

• Enhancers: Strengthen themselves or objects. (Simple and determined)
• Transmuters: Change the properties of their aura. (Whimsical and deceitful)
• Conjurers: Create physical objects from aura. (High-strung and methodical)
• Emitters: Detach aura from their body. (Impatient and hot-headed)
• Manipulators: Control objects or living things. (Logical and argumentative)
• Specialists: Possess a unique ability that defies the other categories. (Independent and charismatic)

This system is brilliant because it not only categorizes abilities but also adds a layer of character psychology. It makes the world feel cohesive and the powers feel personal.

Jujutsu Kaisen forgoes a personality-based model for a more pragmatic power-level structure. Its Grade System classifies Sorcerers, Cursed Spirits, and Cursed Objects on a scale from Grade 4 (weakest) to Special Grade (a threat capable of overthrowing a nation). This provides a clear and immediate sense of threat and hierarchy within its world. While it lacks Nen’s psychological depth, it perfectly serves JJK’s focus on danger and survival.

Naruto’s classification is skill-based. Jutsus are divided into three main types: Ninjutsu (supernatural techniques), Genjutsu (illusory techniques), and Taijutsu (physical combat). Within these, skills are given a rank from E to S to denote their difficulty and power. This system frames power as a matter of learned skill and training, reinforcing the series’ themes of hard work and perseverance. It’s not about what type you are, but about what skills you have mastered.

The evolution of power: From personal mastery to cosmic stakes

A great power system is not static. It must evolve with the narrative, introducing new layers and raising the stakes as the characters grow and the world expands. All three systems demonstrate this beautifully, preventing their long-running stories from becoming stale.

Chakra undergoes the most dramatic escalation. The story begins with basic chakra control and elemental ninjutsu. It then introduces complex concepts like Sage Mode (absorbing natural energy) and Kekkei Genkai (unique bloodline abilities). By the end, the scale becomes cosmic, delving into the powers of the Tailed Beasts, the Rinnegan, and Six Paths Sage Mode, which ties directly back to the mythological origins of chakra itself. This evolution mirrors Naruto’s journey from an outcast student to the savior of the world.

Nen’s evolution is one of depth, not just scale. Instead of simply getting bigger, the system reveals terrifying new rules. The concept of Post-Mortem Nen, where a user’s aura becomes drastically stronger after their death, is a game-changing revelation that adds a horrific new dimension to fights. Character growth is tied to deeper mastery and more creative applications of their existing abilities, rather than just acquiring new ones. This keeps the focus on strategy and the high-stakes nature of Nen vows.

Jujutsu Kaisen’s Cursed Energy evolves by revealing hidden complexities within its own rules. The introduction of Domain Expansion—the ultimate expression of a sorcerer’s technique where they manifest their inner world—completely redefines top-tier combat. Later, concepts like Reverse Cursed Technique (the ability to create positive energy from negative) and the intricate rules of the Culling Game arc continually add new strategic layers for the characters and audience to grapple with. The system grows by revealing it was even more complex than we first thought.

Conclusion: The blueprint for brilliance

Chakra, Nen, and Cursed Energy are more than just magic systems; they are foundational pillars of modern shonen storytelling. While they all spring from the concept of life force, their unique sources—balanced energy, personal aura, and raw negative emotion—set them on wildly different paths. Their true legacy, however, lies in their commitment to rules. By embracing limitations, from Nen’s high-risk Vows to Chakra’s elemental affinities and Cursed Energy’s Binding Vows, they force creativity over brute force. Their classification systems provide structure and depth, allowing for diverse casts of characters whose abilities feel both unique and part of a cohesive whole. They are the gold standard, proving that the most memorable battles are won not with the biggest explosion, but with the smartest move.

Image by: Mikhail Nilov
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