Yoshihiro Togashi’s Yu Yu Hakusho series was a huge influence on Gege Akutami’s creative work. Particularly, the Shinobu Sensui arc which used a very different viewpoint in the storyline. The Shinobu Sensui arc was originally aired and published in the mid-1990s.
Akutami’s recent revelation has shed light on the innovative inspiration behind their Jujutsu Kaisen. And how the arc has impacted modern Japanese manga and animation. The classic series arc has created its own successful identity by deviating from the Shonen tropes conventions.
Yu Yu Hakusho’s Arc That Defied the Shonen Norms
The Shinobu Sensui arc had broken the very foundation of shonen manga conventions. Gege Akutami particularly finds themselves drawn to this arc time and again. In an interview with Kioon via user @JujutsuKaisen on X (formerly Twitter), Akutami recollected:
I thought myself: “what’s this manga? It’s doing the opposite of every other existing shonen.” I keep reading and re-reading this story all the time and I always discover something new…
While most series in the genre follow a predictable pattern of escalating conflicts and clear-cut antagonists, the arc blurred all those lines. They were particularly struck by the arc’s ability to make readers question the very notion of justice. “At some point I couldn’t tell who was the target that needed to be defeated!” he exclaimed on the narrative’s mystery.
The impact of this narrative plot structure is very evident in Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen. Their series often proceed into darker territories and morally suspect areas just like the Sensui arc. They were also fascinated by the arc which extends to its unconventional ending.
They recalled:
At the end of the arc, when the villain is finally beaten, his partner says: ‘I’m exhausted. Find yourself another enemy to fight.’
This particular deviation from the typical Shonen ending left a lasting impression on the Jujutsu Kaisen mangaka, who has been doing the same in terms of their manga.
Yu Yu Hakusho’s Long-Lasting Impact on the New Generation of Mangaka
The influence of the arc extends beyond its narrative structure. This arc maintained the core of Shonen manga even when it introduced themes. The approach has impacted a new generation of creators. Like many of their contemporaries, Akutami seeks to push the boundaries of the genre, which introduces elements not expected by the readers.
Yu Yu Hakusho serves as a reminder that even within the already-established norms, there’s always room for innovation and subversion. For mangakas like Akutami, these become an endless source of inspiration to draw out their work.
As fans eagerly await each new chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen, they can take comfort in knowing that Akutami remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries. But also need to be aware that just like Yu Yu Hakusho‘s ending, they might also do the same for its conclusion.
Yu Yu Hakusho and Jujutsu Kaisen are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
