Cross Anime Inspirations: 5 Interconnected Moments in Jujutsu Kaisen

Gege Akutami has famously credited Bleach as an inspiration for Jujutsu Kaisen. But what other anime series have influenced the hit series? Jujutsu Kaisen has quickly become one of the most popular and beloved shonen anime series today, thanks in part to the influence of previous successful shonen series.

During a 2021 interview with the renowned Bleach mangaka Tite Kubo, Gege Akutami disclosed that he drew inspiration from three influential manga and anime series: Bleach, Hunter x Hunter and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Fans have since speculated that various aspects of Akutami's work, such as domain expansions and Yuji Itadori's hair color, can be traced back to elements from these series. Here, we explore five of the most prominent elements drawn from these iconic shonen series.

5 Jujutsu Kaisen moments inspired by other anime

Observant fans of Jujutsu Kaisen may have already noticed that the series takes inspiration from other popular anime. Gege Akutami openly acknowledges how his childhood favorites have influenced his work. Aoi Todo, for example, is based on Bleach’s Kenpachi Zaraki, while Yuji Itadori draws inspiration from Naruto Uzumaki, and Megumi Fushiguro is influenced by Naruto’s Sasuke Uchiha.

But the simularities go beyond the characters. Let’s take a look at five elements of Jujutsu Kaisen directly inspired by other anime series.

1. The Magic System

Special Grade Cursed Spirit Hanami pic.twitter.com/U080gv8YSR

— JUJUTSU KAISEN EN (@Jujutsu_Kaisen_) February 7, 2023

Jujutsu Kaisen draws a significant amount of inspiration from Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter x Hunter, particularly evident in the series' magic system. Central to the magic system in Jujutsu Kaisen is cursed energy, derived from negative emotions such as grief and rage. This energy can be harnessed by sorcerers and utilized as a weapon against cursed spirits.

The abundance of cursed energy and spirits that sorcerers must combat is due to the strong negative emotions experienced by the majority of humans. Akutami has revealed that Jujutsu Kaisen's power system is heavily influenced by Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter and its use of Nen to determine power levels. This system also incorporates elements from Daisuke Ashihara’s World Trigger, where characters use special skills and weapons to channel energy.

2. Tournament Arcs

Episode 14 of Jujutsu Kaisen is out now on Crunchyroll. The Kyoto Goodwill Event arc begins!Watch it here: https://t.co/E8GGJeZtsC pic.twitter.com/piy1VlUFCk

— Jujutsu Kaisen (@JujutsuKaisen) January 15, 2021

With the explosive impact of Yu Yu Hakusho in the 90s, featuring endless and awe-inspiring tournament arcs, it has become almost mandatory for every shonen series to incorporate some form of tournament or competition. Jujutsu Kaisen is no exception to this trend.

3. The “Chosen One” trope

The Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc in Episodes 14 to 21 of Jujutsu Kaisen introduced new characters and their abilities as they competed against each other. The arc may have ended abruptly, but it provided a significant amount of comic relief and introduced us to beloved characters like Aoi Todo.

Throughout the history of shonen anime, the "chosen one" trope has been a constant presence. This refers to a character with a special destiny or power, the only hope for saving the world.

In the case of Jujutsu Kaisen, the chosen one is Yuji Itadori. His journey begins when he ingests an ancient cursed finger, a fatal act that he miraculously survives due to his rare ability to contain the curse's power. As a result, he must become the vessel for Sukuna, leading to the intense and emotional adventure of Jujutsu Kaisen.

4. Domain Expansion

The true source of inspiration for Jujutsu Kaisen’s impressive Domain Expansion technique remains somewhat ambiguous. Fans often attribute it to either Naruto’s Genjutsu or Bleach’s Bankai. However, given Gege Akutami’s expressed admiration for both series, it is probable that both influenced the creation of this technique.

In Jujutsu Kaisen, the Domain Expansion allows the user to have full control of the domain and everyone inside it. For instance, in Satoru Gojo’s Infinite Voice, Jogo was unable to approach the sorcerer because it was his territory. This concept is similar to Naruto’s Genjutsu, as it serves to ensnare enemies in a similar manner.

Both Domain Expansion and Genjutsu can be broken by the trapped individual overpowering or countering it with their own cursed technique.

5. Shibuya Incident Arc

Mechamaru brought out a whole Evangelion unit Bro how he got this technology Mans resolve something else, bro gambling his life on this pic.twitter.com/MMyHCKOLek

— Dusk (@dantedusk) September 20, 2021

Finally, we have Mechamaru and Jujutsu Kaisen’s Shibuya Incident Arc.

The anime Neon Genesis Evangelion is widely recognized and esteemed, and in the recent Shibuya Incident Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, fans were swift to notice the impact of the classic series. This isn't surprising, as Gege Akutami has been vocal about the influence of Hideaki Anno's work on his own series, particularly in breaking away from traditional tropes and leaving certain events unresolved. However, this time the inspiration appears to lean more towards aesthetics than storyline. Fans were quick to point out the resemblance between Kokichi's secret weapon Mechamaru and Asuka's unit from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

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Jujutsu Kaisen has carved a place in the hearts of anime fans with its mecha battles and classic shonen tropes, solidifying itself as one of the standout series of this era. Gege Akutami expertly incorporates elements from its predecessors to deliver a fresh and thrilling series, infused with just the right amount of nostalgia to leave a lasting impression for years to come.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the influence of previous anime classics on the sensational series, Jujutsu Kaisen. The article highlights five captivating moments that pay homage to the magic system, tournament arcs, the Chosen One trope, domain expansion, and the riveting Shibuya Incident Arc. It's fascinating to learn how Gege Akutami has drawn inspiration from Bleach, Hunter x Hunter, and Neon Genesis Evangelion to create a unique and captivating world in Jujutsu Kaisen.

I particularly appreciate the way Akutami has incorporated elements from these iconic shonen series into his own work. The magic system in Jujutsu Kaisen, derived from negative emotions such as grief and rage, is reminiscent of the Nen system in Hunter x Hunter. The tournament arc in the Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc echoes the endless and awe-inspiring tournament arcs of Yu Yu Hakusho. And the Chosen One trope, embodied by Yuji Itadori, is a familiar yet compelling narrative device that keeps viewers engaged in the story.