Jujutsu Kaisen's Author Just Proved Why He's Akira Toriyama's True Successor

Summary Gege Akutami's bold storytelling in Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter #261 mirrors Toriyama's manga revolution mindset.

Akutami's innovative approach to resurrecting Gojo challenges conventional storytelling norms in the manga industry.

Gege Akutami's unique and uncompromising style sets him apart, solidifying his place as Toriyama's philosophical successor.

This article contains SPOILERS from Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter #261

It's not often that Jujutsu Kaisen's Gege Akutami and Dragon Ball's Akira Toriyama are mentioned in the same sentence. Indeed, differences in the subject matter of their work, their approach to storytelling, target audience, themes, drawing styles, and appeal mean it is hard to find common ground for an informative discussion of both. However, the latest chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen reveals that, at least in one fundamental aspect of creative manga storytelling, Akutami and Toriyama share the same mindset.

Few people understood the manga industry like Akira Toriyama. In his early 20s, Toriyama got his start as a mangaka by submitting manga proposals to various publishers. While he missed the deadline for some submissions and was rejected by others, in 1978 he eventually got his break with Wonder Island - a one-shot manga picked up by Weekly Shonen Jump. Thus began the journey that would eventually lead to Toriyama's creation of Dragon Ball and his shepherding it into an iconic global phenomenon.

The early days of the manga and anime revolution were heady times for manga artists. There was no formula for success, and so, with no set pathway to stardom, creators just looked for ways to express their passion, hoping someone would like them. Fast-forward to the contemporary manga scene, and the "vibe", according to Toriyama, has changed considerably:

I guess I have the feeling that while the quality of the work itself is increasing, individuality and pride in one's work are decreasing. I'd like to run across a manga that makes me think, "this author must be nuts!"

Toriyama Hoped Authors Would Create From the Heart

Gege Akutami's Wild Approach to His Manga Would Please toriyama

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While Gege Akutami has never been mistaken for a conventional mangaka, his astonishing - resurrection of Satoru Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter #261 is clear evidence that he is one of the most innovative creators among the current top-level mangaka. Indeed, killing off one of the most popular characters (Yuta) to bring back its most popular character (Gojo) but doing so in a way that still keeps Yuta alive, even if in Gojo's body, is so intricately complex that it will be discussed for decades to come.

To be sure, killing Gojo off was already a controversial move, but bringing him back in the manner that he did is truly revolutionary. If pseudo-Gojo fails, then it's more than likely that Sukuna eventually wins, ushering in the new age of Jujutsu sorcery. On the other hand, if pseudo-Gojo wins, it sets him up as the greatest Jujutsu sorcerer of all time. While the Jujutsu Kaisen creator's decision to resurrect Gojo in this way will have its haters, it is exactly the type of creative decision that Toriyama was hoping the next generation of mangaka would take.

Gege Akutami Never Cared About Others' Opinions

Jujutsu Kaisen Has Never Catered to Its Fanbase

Custom Image by Merlyn De Souza

Gege's uniqueness is not something that suddenly came about. From appearing in masks for interviews to his love of uncompromisingly complex Jujutsu Kaisen sub-plots, Gege has been "different" from the very start. Nowhere is this more obvious than in his penchant for killing off popular characters. Now, it's almost second nature for fans of Jujutsu Kaisen to expect a character's death.

That's why his resurrection of Gojo, or at least his body, goes against the "common sense" that Gege has built into the DNA of Jujutsu Kaisen. On top of that, it adds a whole philosophical and ethical layer, as Yuta has essentially reanimated his teacher's body as a corpse to inhabit, turning into a "monster", according to his own words, to beat another monster, Sukuna. Choices like this one will secure Gege Akutami's place as Toriyama's philosophical successor.

Jujutsu Kaisen is available on Manga Plus and from Viz Media.