This is hardly my first write-up aboutBlack Clover’s status as a criminally underrated shōnen. The franchise has never gotten a fair shake from anime fans—but in spite (or maybe because) of that, my first viewing ofBlack Cloverwas enthralling, andI can hardly say any anime has ever left me feeling so hyped up. Since then, I’ve always come to the series' defense. I feel a sense of vindication asBlack Clover’s mid-finale milestonesprove it’s an underappreciated series that fans are finally coming to respect.
The truth is thatBlack Cloverhas always played the part of the underdog in the battle shōnen genre. It’s also risen to the occasion since its humble beginning with obvious inspiration from the likes ofBleachandNaruto.Thesurprising outcome of one ofBlack Clover’s most recent battlesis just one proof ofits unbeatable status as an underdog in its own right. This is just as true for the content covered in its anime;Black Cloveris an amazing series—and if you don’t agree, you’re missing out on the things that make it special.
Black Clover Built An Underdog Story From One Of Shōnen’s Best Series
Naruto’s Influence Shows Where Black Clover Got Its Foundations
The idea of an underdog who overcomes their circumstances is a long-standing trope in shōnen anime, includingBlack Clover’s aforementioned influence,Naruto.Narutohas countless underdog characters, from its titular jinchuriki to Sasuke and Gaara.Naruto’s best underdog is the fan-favorite Rock Lee, who underminesNaruto’s power system—and other underdogs—by being a character with a lack of innate chakra or talent for ninjutsu, unlike the other underdogs who, despite being outcasts, nonetheless had immense innate potential.
Black Clovercleverly picked up on this and built it out throughAsta’s anti-magic powers. Much like Rock Lee had to make up for his lack of talent through physical discipline and mastery of taijutsu, Asta has to use a combination of physical strength and his talent for directly negatingBlack Clover’s main power system. Granted, after a certain point, it’s revealed that Asta has demonic powers. Without a doubt, that could be called innate potential in itself. Nonetheless,that only showcases another way thatBlack Cloveris an underdog story.
Black Clover Beat The Copycat Allegations Effortlessly
The Shonen Has Never Earned Appropriate Recognition Among Anime Fans
From the very beginning,Black Cloverhas caught flak from the animanga community for being derivative. It’s a bold enough move on its own to start out with a protagonist who resembles Naruto in personality and behavior, Rock Lee in his growth and struggles. However,Black Cloverdoes something bolder byrevealing Asta to have a demonic power worthy of an execution trial. It’s a truly clever move whereBlack Clovershowed fans the potential of modern shōnen, growing well beyond the influences it always wore on its sleeve.
The sequence itself was a perfect illustration, too, of howBlack Cloverset itself apart as an underdog, rather than just a derivative battle shōnen. Fans of the franchise will eagerly remember the moment when, facing off against the Witch Queen, Asta’s arm is engulfed by anti-magic. The sequence is incredibly clutch and, at least for me, it’s become one of the most memorable moments of any battle shōnen. The reason for that is simple: it’swhenBlack Clovertruly defied my expectations.
6 Lessons Every Black Clover Fan Should Take Away From the Anime
Black Clover is an exciting shonen series filled with a lot of great lessons any fan should take with them after watching the show
AsBlack Clover’s world expanded and its stakes grew higher, it became clear thatBlack Cloverhad much more depth than fans ever gave it credit for. Although I could perfectly understand why some people might callBlack Cloverderivative, I also saw so much more in the series. To provide just one example,Black Clover’s world-building is excellentin comparison to its competition.
An obvious choice for a series that can hold a candle toBlack Candle’s world-building isOne Piece: bothOne PieceandBlack Clovershow the intricacies of their universes and truly bring their unique worlds to life. These are things that unfold as the series both pan out, though—not things obvious from the get-go. WhileOne Piecestarted out with a fresh concept that prompted more of a chance from viewers and readers,Black Cloverstarts off with an uncanny (and perfectly intentional) resemblance to other series that caused would-be fans to disregard it.This is worsened by one key feature ofBlack Clover’s anime that’s often underestimated.
Black Clover’s Own Anime Was An Underdog From The Start
Black Clover Defies Expectations It Sets For Itself
Like manyBlack Cloverfans, my adventure with the series began with the anime. The show is produced by Studio Pierrot, the studio also behindBleachandNaruto. As if it weren’t enough thatBlack Cloveralready draws clear inspiration from these two series,the fact it was animated by the same studio provides a deep unconscious association with those two predecessors.Black Clovercan’t escape constant comparisons.
Cast aside by the animanga community from the start,Black Cloverhas never fairly gotten its due. Nonetheless,this just means thatBlack Cloverreally is an underdog story all its own. Studio Pierrot is a brilliant studio, andBlack Cloveris a brilliant manga. These things considered together mean thatBlack Clover’s anime is an enthralling watch that becomes larger than life right before the viewer’s eyes.
Black Cloveris an underdog taleaboutunderdogs.
Like the aforementioned fight with the Witch Queen,Black Clover’s hypest moments are drawn out by gorgeous, thoughtful animation. Its pacing, although imperfect, would create an intoxicating watch-loop, and its realization in terms of voice actors and soundtrack gave the series a carefully crafted identity.Pierrot keeps flawless lock-step withBlack Clover’s own growth and development. Much like Asta grows stronger and always pulls out unexpected surprises,Black Cloverdoes the same, and its adaptation follows suit.
Meanwhile, viewers are drawn towardsBlack Clover’s manga when the anime comes to a regrettable conclusion. The manga’s exposition ofBlack Clover’s post-anime story makes it perfectly clear that, to its very core,Black Cloveris an underdog taleaboutunderdogs. This extends well beyond Asta, as several other characters in the story overcome their circumstances too.
10 Times Black Clover Proved It’s One of Anime’s Most Underrated Shonen Titles
Black Clover is a hidden gem in the shōnen genre of anime, showcasing great themes, amazing friendships, and some of the best fights around
Black Cloverhas never gotten its due until recently, and perhaps it’s just a cruel twist of fate that this is reflected by the fact the manga itself is a brilliant meditation onthe same underdog trope mishandled by other shōnen franchises. Why do people love underdogs? Because watching someone rise to the occasion and propel themselves to greatness in the face of terrible turbulence is a satisfaction so all-consuming it’s almost perverse.
Now, asBlack Cloveris more intent than ever on setting itself apart, it’s also making it perfectly clear that it was always just modern shōnen’s greatest underdog.
