It’s no secret that Jujutsu Kaisen has been heavily inspired by other series, as its author, Gege Akutami, has included several references to other works in his story, showcasing his admiration for iconic mangas like Bleach and Naruto. However, one of Akutami’s clear favorites is the work of Yoshihiro Togashi, as he has repeatedly expressed his respect and admiration for Hunter X Hunter and Yu Yu Hakusho.
The influence of Togashi’s work in Jujutsu Kaisen is evident in its power system, battle choreographies, and even in some characters. Akutami has acknowledged that Suguro Geto is based on the antagonist of Yu Yu Hakusho, Shinobu Sensui.
Furthermore, Akutami has recently made it even more apparent that Jujutsu Kaisen’s biggest influence is Hunter X Hunter, Togashi’s legendary manga. The author revealed that one of the most shocking moments and key turning points in Jujutsu Kaisen, when Sukuna takes over Megumi Fushiguro’s body, was inspired by an iconic scene from Hunter X Hunter.
In the climax of Jujutsu Kaisen’s Culling Game Arc in Chapter 212, Sukuna took control of Yuji, cut one of his fingers, and force-fed it to Fushiguro. When the King of Curses broke the binding vow he had with Yuji, he was able to ruthlessly take over Fushiguro’s body. The chapter ends with a side-by-side panel of Yuji’s shocking and anguished expression as he realizes he has just lost his friend, while Sukuna mocks him with a haughty face.
A recent photo shared by Mimumemo on Ameblo.jp from Jujutsu Kaisen’s Exposition includes a comment from Gege Akutami, revealing that not only had he been planning that moment long before, but he was also thinking of a scene from Hunter X Hunter when drawing Yuji’s gut-wrenching expression.
Maybe it’s because I had been thinking about the development and the scene for a long time, but I felt that I was able to draw Fushiguro’s (Sukuna) face in a cool way. When I drew Itadori here, I had in mind Killua’s face holding out Gon’s hand in front of Alluka. – Gege Akutami
Akutami Draws Deep Inspiration from Hunter X Hunter for Jujutsu Kaisen
The panel referenced by Akutami is from Hunter X Hunter chapter 333, where Killua goes with Alluka to the hospital to save Gon, who is bedridden and withered after using his future potential, disregarding his own life, to take revenge on Neferpitou in the Chimera Ant Arc.
As Killua takes Gon’s shriveled hand, the expression he makes is painfully heartbreaking, even knowing that his friend can be saved by Nanika’s power. Although both moments are fundamentally different, it makes sense for Akutami to think of that scene while trying to convey the genuine agony of witnessing the loss of a best friend.
This has not been the only Hunter X Hunter reference that Akutami has included in his work. After Mahito damaged Aoi Todo’s hand to prevent him from clapping and activating his technique Boogie Woogie, Todo’s line in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 132, “An arm is merely a decoration, the act of applause is an acclamation of the soul,” references one of Hunter X Hunter’s best moments:
Isaac Netero’s iconic quote to Meruem during their intense fight, after the Chimera Ant King cut his arm and leg in HxH chapter 297.
Additionally, the Shibuya Incident Arc was upraised by the narration of events, an element widely used in HxH. Togashi has inspired many manga artists of the new generation, and Hunter X Hunter’s influence certainly helped Akutami convey his vision of Yuji’s reaction after Sukuna possessed Fushiguro.
This created an emotionally charged moment while also adding Akutami’s unique touch, which has crafted Jujutsu Kaisen into one of the best modern shōnen anime series.
