Gege Akutami is one of the most sought-after mangaka of the modern generation. Their magnum opus, Jujutsu Kaisen, has reached the peak of popularity, with the mangaka trying to finish the manga before 2025. Even though they are one of the most popular mangaka, they receive a lot of hatred for their storytelling, especially how they kill fan-favorite characters.
But that does not stop Gege Akutami. One of their biggest assets is how they use the concept of repetition. Recently, during an interview, they mentioned their storytelling secrets. After knowing how well they are versed in their work, nobody can argue that Jujutsu Kaisen deserves to be one of the top three Shonen manga of modern times. It is amazing how they managed to use repetition to the perfect level to not make their readers suffer from boredom.
Gege Akutami Is A Master Mangaka
Gege Akutami has divided the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom into two. One half worships them as God, while the other half sees them as the most vicious amateur. Even though there are two factions, neither of them can argue when it comes to handling the concept of repetition. Repetition is such a concept, when not done properly, can drastically lower the viewers and ratings and can cause it to end abruptly. But the Jujutsu Kaisen mangaka is built different.
They love to dwell on things that others find difficult. Gege Akutami knows the perfect recipe for repetition not too much and not too little. While too much can make the audience feel bored, too little leaves the audience unsatisfied. Without repetition, a character cannot build their image inside the audience’s mind. Shedding light and making the audience understand a character’s core is important, and only through repetition can they achieve it.
Satoru Gojo, one of Gege Akutami’s finest creations, always boasts about being the strongest and appears arrogant. But there is a bigger world inside him. The perfect balance of repetition made the readers connect with him. On the other hand, Naruto has too many flashbacks. There is too much repetition, which makes the audience skip it. Even though they are a modern generation of mangaka, they have found the perfect balance, which makes them master mangaka.
Perfect Repetition Is Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea
When it comes to creating a character, Gege Akutami is pretty thoughtful and thorough with their process. Through his superpower of repetition, he creates a distinct personality for each. Megumi Fushiguro is the most selfless character in Jujutsu Kaisen. Even though it has been shown multiple times, it developed him as a character. During an interview about their manga writing process, Gege Akutami gave elementary knowledge.
Their interview was published in “The Shonen Jump Guide to Making Manga.” Eating the same dish every day makes it lose its value and taste. Instead of having it each day, trying new dishes and having it once in a while will make it worthwhile. In the same way, too much chorus harms the song. Jujutsu Kaisen manga began in 2018, which makes Gege Akutami pretty new. But through their writing, they proved that repetition is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Akutami Gege's Interview from The Shonen Jump Guide to Making Manga. pic.twitter.com/VrbsduVf2a
— Ducky (@IDuckyx) October 18, 2022
Aoi Todo is obsessed with Takada-chan, but no one thought it was too much because the mangaka never crossed the line. Apart from emphasizing repetition, they also have several other qualities like eliciting big laughs and distinction between expectations and reality. They can be treated as a God or a vicious amateur, but no one can deny their control over their unusual yet successful storytelling.
Jujutsu Kaisen manga is available on Viz Media.
