Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t Just Great, it’s Bleach’s True Successor

Gege Akutami’s own creativity, innovation, and undeniable talent led to Jujutsu Kaisen‘s monumental success, but the creator was also undoubtedly inspired by the work of others, most importantly by Tite Kubo and his most famous work, Bleach.

Many of the greatest anime and manga creators out there were inspired by talented successors who paved the way and helped build the anime and manga community into the thriving fandom it has become today. Gege Akutami created Jujutsu Kaisen, one of the biggest hit anime series of the modern age. This anime has morphed into a household name in a very short time, becoming one of the anime greats on par with shows like Naruto and Dragon Ball.

In an interview posted on the Edomonogatari website, Kubo and Akutami professed their love for each other’s works and Akutami even explained that “Bleach was actually what introduced [him] to the concept of mangaka.” Without Bleach and Kubo, who knows whether Akutami would’ve ever discovered this career path.

Jujutsu Kaisen Creator, Gege Akutami, Was A Bleach Superfan During Childhood

The talented creator even wrote a poetry book motivated by the show, proving his deep connection to the series

Akutami’s love went a step further; he also wrote an anthology of poems inspired by Bleach in his youth, which is a testament to his deep admiration of the series. Both mangakas truly loved and appreciated each other’s series and even garnered inspiration and ideas from each other. As Akutami’s first introduction to the manga world, Bleach had a pivotal role in his creation of Jujutsu Kaisen, more than any other series. This becomes increasingly apparent when closely comparing the plots, genres, and small details of the two series. Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen are unique from one another but do share undeniable similarities.

They are both action shonens and immensely popular, completely changing the anime world when they both began airing. The Bleach anime was released in 2004, while Jujutsu Kaisen didn’t come until 2020, 16 years later. Bleach centers on a high school-aged protagonist named Ichigo Kurosaki who becomes a powerful Soul Reaper and vows to use his powers to protect the weak, who are preyed upon by evil spirits. This is shockingly similar to Jujutsu Kaisen’s plot, which also boasts a high schooler protagonist, Yuji Itadori, who develops astounding powers and fights to save his loved ones from cruel curses.

Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen Possess Similar Protagonists And Plots, But The Resemblances Go Much Further

Both series are up-to-date and perfectly on trend for their time period

Another feature both animes share is the clever pop culture references and trends craftily embedded into the episodes. Bleach contains a few particularly noteworthy references, including a nod to the Star Wars films, which were amazingly popular in the early 2000s when the series was airing. Kubo also wove nods to popular music of the time, references to significant parts of Japanese culture such as landmarks, and even mentioned aspects of other manga series, including Zombiepowder., a series he created. Akutami followed in Kubo’s footsteps in this aspect, Jujutsu Kaisen is chock-full of plenty of pop culture trend references of its own.

Jujutsu Kaisen features almost too many modern references to count. One of these is Todo’s admiration for idols, particularly Takada, who he nearly worships. This is shockingly similar to the modern day phenomenon of celebrities gaining avid followings who become intensely obsessed with them. Yuji’s crush on famous actress Jennifer Lawrence, Nobara’s love of shopping, and the characters’ selfies and smartphone use are all recognizable to most people living in modern society. These clever references are noticeable enough to be enjoyable, but are not so over the top they would make the series seem too dated after a few years.

Jujutsu Kaisen Has Proven It Is Bleach’s Modern Day Successor

Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the best modern-day action shonens, following in Bleach’s accomplished footsteps

Both Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen are packed with cultural references, modern fashion, and hilariously on-trend jokes. They strike an amazing balance between cultural relevance and remaining timeless enough to be enjoyed for years to come, which is not easy. Both are beloved and acclaimed action shonen series with massive fanbases, and they each tell the story of a high schooler who suddenly inherits unbelievable powers he must use to fight evil spirits. Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most thrilling anime series in recent years, and its Bleach inspirations prove why it has become its perfect successor as an action shonen.

Source: Edomonogatari

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