Gege Akutami is a massive Bleach fanatic, and they have been quite vocal about it. There are a few aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen that match Tite Kubo’s masterwork. While Bleach is known as one of the Big Three of anime, fans have been calling Jujutsu Kaisen one of the new generation Big Three. Gege Akutami has done a fine job with their magnum opus.
But fans have always complained about them killing all the fan-favorite characters since the start of the Shibuya Incident arc. Many fans might not know, but they were inspired by Tite Kubo’s policy of giving characters the perfect retirement and have followed it. While Akutami was inspired by Kubo, they hated it when someone compared Jujutsu Kaisen to Bleach.
Gege Akutami Wants No Comparison Between Jujutsu Kaisen And Bleach
Bleach is one of the Big Three of anime and has earned worldwide fame. After its return with the Thousand Year Blood War arc, its popularity has reached new heights. The anime has inspired countless manga artists and narratives, and one of them happens to be Gege Akutami. Jujutsu Kaisen is a great modern time, and the mangaka do not want to compare their work to Kubo’s.
In 2021, the two sat for an interview, and while talking about comparisons, Akutami said,
“Since their creations are products of the instincts and talents that come with having such a strong identity, I’d only hurt myself if I tried to copy their methods. That’s why I go out of my way to avoid this pitfall. I’ve always loved reading Bleach, but I know that imitating it would be the death of me. Ultimately, I can’t copy it because it’s too unique. So whenever I hear people say that my series reminds them of Bleach, I hesitantly reply with something like, “Well, sure, I guess… But…””
Akutami believes that there was never any comparison since Bleach could have only been produced by Tite Kubo. His works are not for imitation but to enjoy them to the fullest. The Bleach creator has a strong identity, and it is the reason why he could produce something so magnificent. In a way, Gege Akutami was inspired, but every manga artist has personal traits that are exclusive to them.
Tite Kubo Was Flattered By Gege Akutami’s Praise
Gege Akutami is full of praise for the Bleach creator. After giving a speech on his works and how he inspired others, Kubo was flattered. He told Akutami that it was one of the best compliments he ever received. The Jujutsu Kaisen creator hit the jackpot with their praises and was asked to share his social media ID by Kubo. But the praises did not come from one side only. Tite Kubo was also impressed by Gege Akutami’s drawing style.
Even though they used digital pens for drawing, Akutami’s manga panels resemble analog drawings. Kubo also follows Jujutsu Kaisen and Nanami Kento was his favourite character until Akutami decided to give him a horrifying death. They belong to different generations, yet they carry a mutual respect for work. Moreover, they have become a household name, especially after the anime and manga industry went mainstream.
Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen are currently available to watch on Hulu.
