Despite giving minimal screentime to certain characters, Gege Akutami, the mangaka behind the widely acclaimed Jujutsu Kaisen series, is often praised as a genius by many. This is evident in the way Akutami is able to emotionally connect readers to these characters.
Additionally, Akutami’s writing style captivates readers with each chapter of the manga, contributing to Jujutsu Kaisen’s rise as one of the most widely read and beloved manga of 2023. Despite some readers initially stating they would stop following the series, the overwhelming hype surrounding it compelled them to eventually return.
Despite this, there are also fans who argue that Akutami’s writing style is negatively impacting the series, and they have valid reasons for their claims. Keeping this in mind, let us examine 5 ways in which Akutami’s writing may be detrimental to Jujutsu Kaisen, as well as 5 ways in which it could be considered brilliant.
The following list contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen manga and is based on the writer’s personal opinions. Reader’s discretion is advised.
5 reasons why Gege Akutami’s writing is negatively impacting Jujutsu Kaisen
1) Crafting an Indomitable Adversary
It has been speculated by fans that Gege Akutami’s dislike for Gojo stemmed from the fact that he unintentionally made the character too strong, causing the story to lose its tension. As a result, many believed that Gojo’s death was inevitable in order to remove the “overpowered side character”.
Despite this, Akutami further reinforced this issue by portraying Ryomen Sukuna, the main antagonist of the series, as an incredibly powerful entity. Not only did he effortlessly defeat Gojo while holding back, but even in his weakened state, he continues to easily overcome the remaining characters.
One could argue that Akutami’s strong feelings for Sukuna have put him in a difficult position where he is struggling to find a logical way out.
2) The untimely end of Gojo
Despite the legendary status of the ‘Battle of the Strongest’ between Sukuna and Gojo, it is widely accepted that the latter’s death in Jujutsu Kaisen was one of the most absurd farewells given to a character.
Since the release of chapter 236 of the manga, fans have been voicing their strong dissatisfaction with the underwhelming death of the beloved character. While they had no issue with Gojo’s demise in his fight against Sukuna, the fact that such a prominent character was killed off-screen greatly diminished the impact of the epic battle for many.
3) The constant threat of death for beloved characters
The death of a character is crucial for any story, as it can lead to character growth or add tension to the plot. This is especially true for Jujutsu Kaisen, a series where viewers are pleading with Akutami to spare any further deaths of beloved characters.
Despite the ongoing battle against Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen, a significant number of characters have been killed. Gojo, Kashimo, and Higuruma are just some of the names of those who have fallen. As a result, many fans have lost hope for their favorite characters and are now speculating on who will be the next to meet their demise.
4) One-dimensional or Flat Characters
At this stage of the narrative, it is unquestionably true that numerous characters were never given the chance to showcase their abilities, as they either perish or are disregarded and eventually fade into the background. These characters include Mai Zen’in, Momo, and Nobara Kugisaki.
Even though there are a few exceptions, the large number of underdeveloped characters in Jujutsu Kaisen is a noticeable flaw. This can be attributed to the fact that the series primarily focuses on delivering exceptional fight scenes rather than satisfying character arcs, as it is a battle shonen series.
5) Monotony
The introduction of the Shibuya Incident arc brought Jujutsu Kaisen a reputation for its daring storytelling. This arc serves as a powerful reminder of the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the Jujutsu world. It marked the first time the villains emerged victorious, resulting in the destruction of not only Shibuya, but the entire country of Japan, plunging it into turmoil.
Despite the unpredictability that was present in the Shibuya arc, it eventually dissipated. Both the plot and the fights started to feel monotonous. This feeling intensified after Gojo’s death, as nearly all of the remaining characters continued to join the battles, only to meet their demise in heart-wrenching ways.
The consistent and foreseeable pattern of the battles against the King of Curses has caused fans to anticipate saying goodbye to the remaining characters, as the ongoing fight continues to lead to devastating losses.
5 Brilliant Aspects of Gege Akutami’s Writing
1) Crafting Memorable Characters with Limited Screen Time
Undoubtedly, the characters in Jujutsu Kaisen are often not given the chance to truly showcase their strengths. However, there are specific individuals who leave a lasting impression on fans by stealing the spotlight whenever they make an appearance.
Two of the most beloved characters in Jujutsu Kaisen are Satoru Gojo and Kento Nanami. Their untimely deaths have created a void in the series that cannot be filled. Even now, fans mourn their loss and the impact they had on the story.
2) Breaking away from traditional shonen conventions
As a member of the Dark Trio of shonen anime, Jujutsu Kaisen successfully breaks away from traditional shonen tropes. This was evident in the Shibuya Incident arc, which served as a major departure from typical shonen narratives.
The aforementioned arc not only marked the protagonists’ first defeat, but it also resulted in extensive devastation and the loss of thousands of lives, including some of the most beloved characters in the series.
Akutami’s ability to subvert reader expectations is a major factor in the continued hype and excitement surrounding each chapter’s release, even after Gojo’s death. With the knowledge that anything can happen in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, readers’ interest in the current storyline remains at an all-time high.
3) Akutami’s depiction of Satoru Gojo
Despite the prevailing belief among the fanbase, it should be noted that Satoru Gojo’s appealing appearance is not the sole reason for his widespread popularity. In fact, his character is arguably one of the most intricate and multifaceted in the entire series.
Despite having an overwhelming amount of power that essentially elevated him to the status of a deity in the modern world, Gojo remained steadfast in his morals. Although he was aware that eliminating the leaders of Jujutsu High would provide a quicker route to achieving his objectives, he opted for education instead. This allowed him to cultivate formidable and reliable allies who could one day bring about transformation in the Jujutsu realm.
Despite possessing immense power, Gojo is depicted as one of the tragic figures in the series as he was never able to safeguard the things that held the most significance to him.
4) Interactions between characters
Despite their infrequent appearances, the characters in Jujutsu Kaisen have a consistently strong chemistry and dynamic that contributes greatly to the series. Each character feels essential and irreplaceable, making them an integral part of the story.
Akutami’s ingenious writing style is exemplified by the unbreakable bonds and interactions between the characters. A prime illustration of this can be seen in the dynamic between Gojo and Nanami. Despite their contrasting personalities, they consistently rely on and have faith in each other during challenging situations.
5) A Captivating Writing Style That Leaves Readers Wanting More
Despite widespread disdain for the death of Satoru Gojo, many readers vowed to stop reading the manga as their beloved character was killed off in a lackluster fashion.
Despite Gojo’s death, the Jujutsu Kaisen manga has only grown in popularity. In fact, it has become one of the top-read manga of 2023. With the strongest member of the Jujutsu society gone, readers are now even more intrigued to see how the ultimate battle between the sorcerers and the King of Curses will unfold.
This demonstrates that while centered around a basic concept of good versus evil, Akutami’s captivating and exceptional writing has the power to captivate fans and keep them invested in every chapter of the manga, potentially until the conclusion of the series.
Conclusion
Gege Akutami’s popular manga, Jujutsu Kaisen, is currently at its peak of popularity. Fans eagerly anticipate each new chapter, with discussions about it dominating the internet upon its release.
Despite the drawbacks of Akutami’s writing style, it is undeniable that Jujutsu Kaisen’s success is largely attributed to his unconventional and often contentious decisions regarding the characters and plot.
Additional Resources:
“As a way to deal with Akutami’s writing, fans have come up with absurd ending scenarios, declaring it to be our very own “Jujutsu Kaisen”.”
It is possible that the key to understanding Sukuna’s Fuga has been in front of fans all this time, and for a valid reason.
Akutami may possibly be planning a rematch between Gojo and Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen (and with valid justification).
Despite hints in the plot, it is possible that Gojo does not have a sole successor in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Sukuna’s love for Gege is equally his greatest source of frustration (due to obvious reasons).
Sukuna has always been the main character in Jujutsu Kaisen, rather than Yuji, as evidenced in Chapter 1.
It can be inferred from Sukuna’s next challenger that Akutami has exhausted all of his Jujutsu Kaisen characters to eliminate.
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