In a current exhibition for Jujutsu Kaisen, creator Gege Akutami addressed a long-standing query from followers: why does he ruthlessly kill off beloved characters within the collection? Akutami, recognized for creating emotional turmoil with each demise, was as grim because it was revealing.
The query arose from the stark distinction in survival between characters just like the morally ambiguous Mei Mei and the sadly deceased fan favorites like Kento Nanami and Nobara Kugisaki.
Whereas some may need anticipated Akutami’s reply, it was nonetheless chilling: characters who fail to evoke a way of grief upon their demise don’t should be spared, based on Akutami.
This reasoning sheds mild on Akutami’s methodical method to storytelling, the place character deaths serve not solely as plot twists but additionally as emotional anchors that preserve the reader engaged and concerned.
By omitting characters who may elicit deep emotional responses, Akutami ensures that every demise leaves a deep impression on the viewers, including a component of unpredictability and urgency to the story.
Followers who’ve speculated about Akutami’s standards for selecting which characters to spare or sacrifice now have a clearer understanding of his motives. The observe of scrutinizing reputation polls and viewers sentiment seemingly performs a job in Akutami’s decision-making course of, making certain that every demise serves a objective past mere shock worth.
Whereas this method will increase the stress within the story and retains readers on the sting of their seats, it additionally carries dangers. If deaths turn into too predictable or formulaic over time, their affect can diminish, doubtlessly alienating followers and resulting in a stagnant forged of characters who lack emotional resonance.
Gege says that the characters who haven’t got the enchantment to make readers unhappy after they die, need not die (the explanation Mei Mei did not die) photograph.twitter.com/5ycELHFOgq
— Go_Jover (@Go_Jover) July 7, 2024
But Akutami’s technique just isn’t with out advantage. By difficult the notion that protagonists are secure from mortality, Jujutsu Kaisen stands out throughout the shonen style, providing a narrative wherein nobody is really resistant to the results of their actions or the unfolding plot.
Characters like Satoru Gojo are an instance of this method, their deaths taking part in a vital function in each the plot improvement and the non-public progress of the surviving characters.
Finally, Akutami’s method to character demise in Jujutsu Kaisen underscores his craftsmanship in storytelling and his dedication to making a story that exceeds expectations.
Whether or not seen as a story gamble or a stroke of genius, his willingness to stare mortality within the face ensures that every chapter unfolds with gripping uncertainty, leaving followers eagerly awaiting the following twist on this unpredictable journey.
