Jujutsu Kaisen "Plagiarism" Controversy: Homage or Rip-off? The Visual Comparison!

 

When you're talking about Jujutsu Kaisen, you literally can't avoid the "deja vu" debate. For years, Reddit and Twitter have been flooded with side-by-side comparisons to legendary manga. Is it a total rip-off, or is it a high-level masterclass in homage?

As someone who has followed the series from the first chapter to the 2024 finale, I can tell you one thing for sure: Gege Akutami doesn't hide his inspirations. In the official Lore and various interviews, he’s been 100% open about his love for HUNTER×HUNTER and BLEACH. He’s a fanboy just like us, and he pours that respect into his work.

While some antis scream "plagiarism," hardcore fans see it as a brilliant remix of the Shonen genre's DNA. Let’s be real: in an era with thousands of manga, creating something 100% original from scratch is almost impossible. The real skill is in how a mangaka takes those influences and evolves them into their own "Power Scaling" and "Strongest Character Ranking."

Today, I’m doing a deep dive into the most controversial visual comparisons and why they actually matter for the series' "Hype."

 

Jujutsu Kaisen Visual Comparisons: Homage or Copy?

 

The "Uzumaki" Controversy (Junji Ito Homage)

In Volume 16, Suguru Geto (or rather, Kenjaku) unleashes the Maximum Technique: Uzumaki. The visual is an undeniable mirror of Junji Ito’s horror masterpiece, Uzumaki.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Junji Ito/Shogakukan

I don't even need to reach for this one—Akutami confirmed in the official fanbook that this was a "permitted homage" with Junji Ito’s blessing. By taking the iconic, grotesque spiral of a horror legend and redefining it as a concentrated mass of Cursed Energy, Gege showed his deep roots in the horror genre. This isn't theft; it's a "Goated" tribute.

 

BLEACH’s Senbonzakura Vibes

The way Hanami and Dagon manifest their Domains—or the way petals and shards dance through the air during high-level combat—feels heavily inspired by Byakuya Kuchiki’s "Senbonzakura" from BLEACH.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha ©Tite Kubo/Shueisha

Akutami famously stated, "Without BLEACH, Jujutsu Kaisen wouldn't exist." You can see Tite Kubo’s influence in the poetic dialogue and the sharp, stylish silhouettes of the OP characters. Gege is basically the spiritual successor to Kubo’s "Coolness" factor.

 

Yuji’s Awakening vs. Gon’s Rage

That intense close-up of Yuji Itadori’s eyes right before he drops a Black Flash or enters a state of extreme focus? It’s a dead ringer for Gon Freecss’s awakening in HUNTER×HUNTER.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

Yoshihiro Togashi established the visual "shorthand" for peak Shonen rage. To show a "good boy" like Yuji being consumed by a cold, murderous hatred for Curses, this visual style is the most effective tool in the box. It signals to the reader that the "Power Scaling" is about to go off the charts.

 

Extreme Focus (Slam Dunk Style)

When the background disappears and the world goes silent, leaving only the character’s hyper-focused consciousness—that’s a technique famously perfected by Takehiko Inoue in Slam Dunk.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Takehiko Inoue/Kodansha

Whether it's a basketball game or a death match between sorcerers, the "Silence" of a life-or-death moment is a classic trope in Japanese manga. Gege masterfully adapts this "quiet before the storm" into modern supernatural battles.

 

Divergent Fist vs. Futae no Kiwami

Early on, Yuji uses "Divergent Fist" (Keiteiken), where a second impact hits after the first. This is very similar to the concept of Sanosuke Sagara’s "Futae no Kiwami" from Rurouni Kenshin.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Nobuhiro Watsuki/Shueisha

Akutami has mentioned his respect for Nobuhiro Watsuki. What’s cool here is that Divergent Fist is later "debunked" as a byproduct of Yuji’s lack of control, eventually evolving into the far more complex Black Flash. It’s a great example of a mangaka starting with an established trope and then deconstructing it.

 

Sukuna’s Smirk (The Meruem Influence)

The "King of Curses," Ryomen Sukuna, often sports a grin that radiates the pure arrogance of a supreme being. It’s very reminiscent of Meruem during the Chimera Ant arc of H×H.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

When a non-human entity looks down on "lowly humans" with this specific expression, it’s an icon of a massive power gap. To express Sukuna’s absolute ego, the Togashi-style "God Smirk" is the perfect fit.

 

Hand Signs and Mudra: The Netero Connection

When sorcerers expand their Domains or activate techniques through hand signs (Mudra), the composition often mirrors Chairman Netero’s "100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva."

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

Mixing Buddhist motifs with combat is a staple of Japanese horror and action. Gege takes this influence and turns it into a hard-coded system where specific signs trigger specific world-altering Feats. It functions perfectly within the JJK ruleset.

 

Black Flash vs. Jajanken

The wind-up and impact of Yuji’s Black Flash sometimes visually echo Gon’s signature "Jajanken: Rock."

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

Concentrating all your energy into a single punch is the bread and butter of Shonen. Gege adds a scientific twist by describing Black Flash as a "distortion of space," giving a classic punch a whole new level of "Hype."

 

Impact Framing (YuYu Hakusho Heritage)

The way shockwaves penetrate the body on impact is a direct descendant of Yusuke Urameshi’s "Spirit Gun" and various fight scenes in YuYu Hakusho.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

Togashi is clearly the "Sensei" here. The sense of bone-crushing kinetic energy in JJK battles has its roots in these gritty, 90s action staples.

 

Megumi’s Determination vs. Kurapika

When Megumi Fushiguro taps into the "Ten Shadows Technique" with that cold, resolved look in his eyes, it strongly parallels Kurapika’s "Scarlet Eyes" mode.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

The "burdened clan member" trope requires a specific kind of eye acting. You can feel Megumi’s loneliness and responsibility through this visual tribute.

 

New Shadow Style (Sword Lore)

The "Simple Domain" stance used by sword-wielding sorcerers mirrors Nobunaga’s "En" or classic Iaido stances seen throughout HUNTER×HUNTER.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

The "intercept anyone who enters my circle" system is a brilliant way to make a sword fight feel like a logical tactical battle.

 

Mei Mei’s Grade 1 Professionalism

Mei Mei’s obsession with cash and her "Pro Hunter" mentality are a direct evolution of the high-stakes world Togashi built.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

In the JJK world, being "Grade 1" means you’re a stone-cold professional. This "Realism" in an insane world is definitely something JJK inherited from its predecessors.

 

The "Forced Growth" Power Cliffing

When a character undergoes a sudden, massive physical change as a cost for gaining temporary god-like power—everyone thinks of "Adult Gon."

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

The concept of "Binding Vows" or "Heavenly Restrictions" is the core of JJK’s combat logic. While Togashi pioneered the "Vow" system, Gege expands it into "Soul Transformation" and "Incarnation," which keeps the story feeling fresh.

 

Satoru Gojo’s Teleportation

Gojo taking an opponent's blind spot in an instant is a hallmark of the "Strongest Character" archetype seen in H×H’s high-speed battles.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

When you're the Strongest Character Ranking #1, you don't even let them react. It’s a visual shorthand for divinity.

 

Dagon’s Sea Life Swarm

The swarms of fish-cursed spirits within Dagon's Domain feel like a nod to Kite's abilities or "Fish or Die."

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

A saturated attack with no escape—this is what a Domain Expansion is all about. Mixing quiet ocean dread with visceral horror is a masterwork of atmosphere.

 

The Rock-Breaking Training

Testing out a new technique on inanimate objects like rocks or trees is a timeless Shonen training arc template.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

It’s the most intuitive way to show the audience the destructive power of a new ability. Gege follows the rules of the genre to keep the logic clear.

 

Movie Training Arc

Yuji training under Gojo while watching movies is a classic "unorthodox training" scene, filled with Gege’s personal love for cinema.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

Keeping Cursed Energy output steady while your emotions are being manipulated is a brilliant idea that perfectly fits the JJK lore where "emotions are the source of curses."

 

The Form of Mercy

The "Netero-style" prayer and the Buddhist imagery are all over JJK’s high-level techniques.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha ©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

Todo’s "Boogie Woogie" activation—the simple clap—is a massive homage to Netero’s prayer. Combining religious weight with over-the-top battle logic is the ultimate fruit of learning from the greats.

 

The General Vibe

From character positioning to panel layouts and font choices, the Togashi influence is everywhere.

©Gege Akutami/Shueisha

 

©Yoshihiro Togashi/Shueisha

But calling it "plagiarism" is lazy. It’s the result of a mangaka absorbing the DNA of past legends and optimizing it for a new era. JJK blew up because it gave modern readers the "poison" and "logic" we crave, wrapped in a high-speed, visceral package.

 

Conclusion

After looking at all these comparisons, my take is simple: Jujutsu Kaisen is a high-quality entertainment masterpiece fueled by its roots. Gege Akutami’s honesty about his inspirations is a sign of a truly sincere creator.

Even in 2026, the series' popularity hasn't faded. Why? Because beyond the visual parallels, JJK has its own unique philosophy on death, despair, and legacy that has captured the hearts of millions. Taking the baton from the legends and running even faster with it is no small Feat.

Gege definitely passed the torch to the next generation. As a fan and an editor, I’m excited to see how this story continues to be told for years to come!

 

Check out these related posts too!

【呪術廻戦】最強キャラ強さランキング決定版！能力と戦績から徹底比較

呪術廻戦最強キャラランキング！完結後の全データに基づく真実の序列『呪術廻戦』が全271話をもって完結し、呪術界における「最強」の定義が確定しました。新宿決戦という未曾有の死闘を経て、両面宿儺が示した絶対的な武と、虎杖悠仁が辿り着いた覚醒の境...

neo.usachannel.info

2021.01.15

【ワンパンマン】サイタマVS五条悟【呪術廻戦】現代最強の「チート」キャラが激突！ 究極の「どっちが強い？」を徹底考察

漫画やアニメの世界には、「最強」と呼ばれるキャラクターが数多く存在します。中でも、圧倒的なパワーでどんな敵も一撃で倒してしまう【ワンパンマン】の主人公サイタマと、呪術界最強と謳われる【呪術廻戦】の特級呪術師、五条悟は、多くのファンから「どっ...

neo.usachannel.info

2025.08.25