Enthusiasts of Jujutsu Kaisen have always been prompt to observe how the series appears to draw inspiration from past Shonen Jump creations to craft an entirely fresh universe, and the creator of the series, Gege Akutami, has never been hesitant about this either.
During an interview, Akutami disclosed that the bold and ruthless (yet highly amiable) Aoi Todo is, in fact, an inherent allusion to Kenpachi Zaraki from Tite Kubo’s Bleach series.
Not only Bleach, but Gege Akutami also drew inspiration from several other anime series for Jujutsu Kaisen, including the most beloved Naruto.
It wouldn’t be surprising if someone were to say that the main characters, Yuji Itadori and his best friend Megumi Fushiguro, in Jujutsu Kaisen were directly inspired by the protagonist Naruto Uzumaki and deuteragonist Sasuke Uchiha from the Naruto series.
Itadori And Fushiguro are Best Friends, Not Rivals
While there’s no disputing that Jujutsu Kaisen and Naruto are two distinct franchises with entirely different narratives and personas, both series swiftly gained notoriety shortly after their introduction.
Nevertheless, ever since it began, enthusiasts have been highlighting certain noteworthy resemblances between the two animations that are challenging to overlook. In fact, creator Gege Akutami once disclosed that Naruto was one of the major inspirations in the creation of Jujutsu Kaisen.
It was surprising when Akutami revealed that, instead of Kakashi Hatake (Naruto Uzumaki’s mentor), it was Tonbo Tobitake, a minor character from Naruto, who provided inspiration for Gojo Satoru.
And now, Akutami has asserted that he drew inspiration from Naruto and Sasuke for Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Itadori and Fushiguro. Akutami stated that he provided Itadori with his distinctive red scarf to mirror Naruto’s iconic neck-covering jacket, and Fushiguro’s appearance and demeanor bear a striking resemblance to Sasuke’s.
Nevertheless, Gege has clarified that Yuji and Fushiguro don’t engage in as many conflicts as Naruto and Sasuke did because they are best friends, not rivals and it’s not in their nature to do so.
Irrefutable Similarities Between Naruto and Jujutsu Kaisen
Beyond the initial inspirations, there exist numerous undeniable similarities between these two beloved series. Both feature legendary mentors in Kakashi and Gojo, renowned throughout their respective worlds for their remarkable talents.
It’s noteworthy that Gojo and Kakashi share equal measures of style, skill, bravery, and unwavering dedication. With their distinctive white hair, unique ocular abilities, and masks to conceal their eyes, the commonalities are striking. Even in terms of their seemingly lazy demeanor, fans can spot commonalities. Despite their distant behavior, both care deeply for their students.
Moreover, both teams consist of two males and one female, and their personalities often mirror each other in various ways. Megumi Fushiguro’s aloofness and occasional irritability are reminiscent of Sasuke, yet he always comes through when his team needs him.
Nobara Kugisaki’s determination aligns with Sakura Haruno’s character, and she takes great pride in her femininity. Finally, Yuji Itadori, an inexperienced yet endearing protagonist, shares similarities with Naruto, boasting a strong sense of morality.
Source: CBR
