Jujutsu Kaisen's Startling Twist: Gege Akutami Unveiled as the True Mastermind

Gege Akutami, the author of Jujutsu Kaisen, is currently one of the most popular manga creators in the industry, and this is reflected in the strong fan engagement he enjoys. The reactions to Akutami's decisions in the manga, especially his willingness to kill off beloved characters, have sparked both excitement and controversy among readers. Recently, a Jujutsu Kaisen fan created an edit portraying Gege Akutami as the "real villain" of the series, highlighting the ongoing joke in the fan community due to the author's recent story developments. These actions have sparked heated debates about his handling of characters, particularly those cherished by fans.

Fan-edit depicts Jujutsu Kaisen author Gege Akutami as the "villain" of the story

A video was shared on X by a Jujutsu Kaisen fan, Jovzkie Animation, depicting Gege Akutami as the one-eyed cat he portrays himself as. In the video, the cat is shown cutting Satoru Gojo in half, just like in the manga. The animation humorously reveals Gege as a Shikigami summoned by Ryomen Sukuna to take down the sorcerer, in response to Gojo's off-screen death in the manga.

The fandom often claims that Akutami has no fear when it comes to killing off characters, regardless of their popularity, which has become quite meta. Gojo is cited as the prime example of this approach, and other characters such as Nobara, Nanami, Kashimo, and Yuki Tsukumo have also been subject to this trend. Even the likes of Aoi Todo and, to some extent, Megumi Fushiguro have been cast aside.

Despite some unusual circumstances, the fandom has generally been polite and respectful to Akutami when making these jokes. Many people praise and celebrate the author's willingness to take risks, believing that it adds to the stakes of the series and improves the flow, as there is a genuine risk that any character could die during the series.

The downside of Akutami's writing style

Yuki Tsukumo is a prime example of Akutami's worst habits as a writer (Image via MAPPA).

Jujutsu Kaisen is recognized for many positive aspects, and the author's willingness to kill off characters is one of them. However, it is also clear that Akutami sometimes relies too heavily on this device, resulting in underdeveloped characters who could have added more depth to the story. The recent death of Nobara in the anime serves as a prime example, leaving many fans feeling that she had the potential for a greater role in the series. Similarly, the treatment of Yuki Tsukumo in the manga is another case of this trope being mishandled. As a Special-Grade sorcerer, she only engaged in one significant battle against Kenjaku, the main villain, and was defeated due to convenient plot devices.

Final thoughts

Despite its flaws, Jujutsu Kaisen remains a compelling series with numerous memorable moments and well-developed characters. It is important to acknowledge and critique its shortcomings when necessary, depending on the context.

Jujutsu Kaisen author Gege Akutami has achieved considerable success with the series in recent years, as evidenced by the dedicated fanbase. However, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of maintaining respectful boundaries, ensuring that humor and criticism do not cross into disrespectful or threatening territory towards the creators.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I am both excited and concerned about the recent developments in the series. On the one hand, I appreciate Gege Akutami's willingness to take risks and kill off beloved characters. This adds to the stakes of the series and makes it feel like anything can happen. On the other hand, I worry that Akutami is relying too heavily on this device and that it is resulting in underdeveloped characters and missed opportunities for storytelling.

I understand that Akutami wants to keep the series fresh and unpredictable, but I believe he needs to find a balance between killing off characters and developing them. Some of the characters who have died so far have had the potential for much more, and their deaths have felt like a waste. I hope that Akutami will take this into consideration in the future and give his characters the chance to reach their full potential.