Tite Kubo, the renowned creator of the iconic manga series Bleach, shared his thoughts on the female characters in Gege Akutami’s hit series Jujutsu Kaisen. In a surprising turn of events, Kubo’s critique of the women in Jujutsu Kaisen sparked a candid discussion about character design and artistic choices in the manga industry. This unexpected exchange between two manga giants has shed light on the creative process behind some of the most popular series in recent years.
The conversation touched upon various aspects of their respective works. However, it was Kubo’s comments that not only promoted an honest response from Akutami but also opened up a broader dialogue about character diversity and representation in manga.
Tite Kubo’s Critique and Akutami’s Response
A special talk between Tite Kubo and Akutami via Edomonogatari, published in Jujutsu Kaisen: The Official Character Guides, took an interesting turn when Kubo pointed out a perceived limitation in JJK‘s female character design. This led him to inquire about Akutami’s approach to creating female characters, wondering if there was a deliberate choice behind the designs.
He observed:
While your male characters come in all types, I feel like your women largely fit the same mold. Could it be you have an aversion to creating female characters who conform to gender roles?
Gege Akutami’s response was surprisingly honest and self-refective. Rather than defending their creative choices or citing narrative reasons, they candidly admitted to a personal limitation in their artistic skills. The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the practical challenges mangaka face when creating their works. It’s not often that creators openly discuss their perceived shortcomings, making Akutami’s admission all the more noteworthy.
They admitted:
I’m aware I suck at drawing women. Therefore, I’ve put the brakes on creating so-called “ladylike” characters… Well, it’s not as if I prefer any archetypes in particular. If you were to ask me about my favorite female characters, I’d freeze up. Besides, I don’t know if the readers even want to see any ladylike or seductive female characters from me.
This highlights the complex relationship between the creator, creation, and consumer in the manga industry. Mangaka must balance their artistic vision with technical skills and perceived market demands, something leading to unexpected compromises or creative decisions.
The Impact of Character Diversity in Manga
Akutami’s frank acknowledgment of their limitations in drawing women raises interesting questions about character diversity in manga. While Jujutsu Kaisen has been praised for its storylines and dynamic action sequences, this conversation highlights a potential area for growth in terms of female character representation.
Tite Kubo is known for creating a wide range of female characters in Bleach, from the demure Orihime to the fierce Yoruichi, who seemed to pick up on this limitation. His observation that none of the female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen was his “type” further underscored the narrower range of female character designs in the series.
However, it’s worth noting that Kubo also acknowledged that Jujutsu Kaisen readers are likely “perfectly content with the current roster of women.” It shows that while there might be room for more diversity in female characters, it hasn’t significantly impacted the series’ popularity appeal.
Conversations like this between established creators offer valuable insights into the creative process and various factors that shape the characters we see on the manga panels. This exchange certainly provides fare for thought for manga creators and fans alike.
Bleach: Thousand Years Blood War is available to watch on Hulu.
