Warning: SPOILERS for the Shibuya Incident Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen
Even though it had a lighthearted start typical of a shōnen manga,Jujutsu Kaisenquickly established itself as a dark fantasy that leaned towards the horror genre at moments. But this wouldn’t have been possible forJJK’s author, Gege Akutami, if it weren’t for the influence of thetrue master of horror manga, Junji Ito. Because of this,Akutami wanted to thank Junji Ito in the best way possibleby including inJujutsu Kaisena tribute to one of his most iconic works,Uzumaki.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s authorneeded to create a dreadful atmosphere in the series, in line with high-stakes battles against ruthless curses, showing brutal deaths and shocking and disturbing events for which Junji Ito’s works were essential, since nobody expressed horror better than him. Thanks to these influences,Akutami has showcased several references to Ito’s works, especially highlighting his admiration for the manga artist through the technique of one of the main antagonists of the series, Suguro Geto.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s Creator Pays Homage toUzumakiby Junji Ito Through One of the Most Powerful Villains in the Series
Gege Akutami Has Expressed His Admiration for the Legendary Horror Manga Artist
Gege Akutami was inspired by Junji Ito to create the eerie feeling of the series, but also in some designs, since he pays homage to the mangaUzumakiin the cursed technique of Suguru Geto, Maximum: Uzumaki. This cursed technique appeared for the first time inJujutsu Kaisen Volume 0, but its design didn’t resembleUzumaki’s spiral that much at first. It wouldn’t be until the Shibuya Incident arc in chapter 134, when Kenjaku uses the cursed technique after absorbing Mahito, that many horror fans recognized the tribute.
Kenjaku’s technique Maximum: Uzumaki is just as terrifying as the original work by Junji Ito because Mahito’s body is contorted into a spiral, like the iconic panel of Shuichi’s father being a victim of the spiral curse and curling his body inside a barrel inUzumakichapter 1. Akutami confirmed this tribute with a special message in an extra in volume 16 ofJujutsu Kaisen, where he thanked Ito for allowing the homage and revealed that he strived to emulate his style in Maximum: Uzumaki, but the atmosphere of the original was hard to convey.
The cursed manipulation technique known as Maximum Uzumaki has been showing up since volume 0. If it’s not obvious already, the inspiration for that was Junji Ito Sensei’s series Uzumaki. I’ve been trying to make it more like Ito Sensei’s style since volume 0, but that horrific atmosphere wasn’t easy to convey. I have my own clear internal criteria for the dividing line between parody and homage, but I can’t deny that it depends on the kindness of many people (in this case, Ito Sensei). Weekly series move at a frantic pace, so even though some time has passed, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone involved, beginning with Junji Ito Sensei, for allowing depictions such as these. - Gege Akutami
Akutami also revealed his love for one of Ito’s anthology stories,Long Dream, recommending it along withUzumakitoJujutsu Kaisenreaders and even promoting its digital versions. This shows how much Akutami admiresJunji Ito’s work, since instead of just including an Easter egg, he went as far as to request permission to draw a matching design to honorUzumakiinJujutsu Kaisen.
Jujutsu KaisenFeatures Several References to Junji Ito’s Stories
UzumakiIsn’t the Only One of Ito’s Works Highlighted inJujutsu Kaisen
Maximum: Uzumaki isn’t the only reference to Ito inJujutsu Kaisen. Another reference toUzumakiinJujutsu Kaisenis in the Hidden Inventory Arc in the design of the main hall of the Tombs of the Star Corridor, located at the bottom of Jujutsu High, where Riko Amanai goes to merge with Tengen. This structure has a spiral-like shape and is strikingly similar to the panel of the Kurouzu village after forming a spiral labyrinth inUzumaki’s chapter 18.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s Creator Has Three Major Anime Inspirations
Gege Akutami, creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, listed three anime series that have inspired him and encouraged him to use Buddhist symbolism in the manga.
Also, the gruesome panel of Gojo Satoru killing Hanami inJujutsu Kaisenchapter 85 looks like a panel in another of Ito’s stories,Splatter film. Additionally, the panel in chapter 151 of Naoya Zennin seeing Toji Fushiguro is similar toThe Beautiful Boy at the Crossroadsin Ito’sLovesickness. Since Junji Ito is one of the most important figures in the horror genre, it isn’t surprising that many mangas take inspiration from Ito’s works, likeChainsaw Man, which has included references toGyoandSplatter Film, but how Akutami projects Ito’s influence inJujutsu Kaisenproves how he is truly a fan of his works.
Jujutsu KaisenDraws Inspiration From Many Iconic Mangas
Akutami Isn’t Afraid To Show He Is a Fan of Other Manga Artists
Akutami also shared his thoughts about Junji Ito’s legacy in a celebratory messageposted on the official X accountfor the Enchantment horror manga exhibition.JJK’s author stated that Ito reached the ideal of a manga artist by being able to expand the minds of the readers with his works.
Immortality is not ageless. It was after reading the short storyLong Dreamthat I began to think about how humans have changed over the past 100 years. I believe it’s a manga artist’s long-cherished desire and ideal to continue providing a reading experience that expands the reader’s brain, just like Mr. Ito did. -Gege Akutami
Although Junji Ito has impacted Akutami, sinceJujutsu Kaisenis a battle shōnen, it’s also been heavily inspired by other series. Akutami has revealedJujutsu Kaisen’s biggest influences areBleach,Hunter x Hunter, andEvangelion. However, the works of Yoshihiro Togashi are some of his favorites because the author included severalreferences toHunter X HunterinJujutsu Kaisen. Nevertheless, it’s clear that the mix of battle with horror elements learned through Junji Ito’s stories was vital forJujutsu Kaisento differentiate itself from other shōnen, and his homage toUzumakiis one of the best references in the series.
Source:@jhorrorpj on X
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisenis a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna’s finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
