A manga prologue that was born from a creator's writer's block
In short: Before it was a global phenomenon, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 began as a desperate attempt to overcome a creative slump. What started as a horror-like prototype with a different cast and different goals eventually evolved into a foundational prologue for one of the most successful modern manga series.
In 2017, creator Gege Akutami faced significant writer's block, losing the motivation he felt while reading other series. To break through, he presented a horror-inspired manga prototype to his editor, Yamanaka. While the protagonist Yuta Okkotsu and the Cursed Spirit Rika Orimoto remained consistent, the original vision was vastly different: the story was meant to focus on sorcerers trying to stop Yuta and Rika from killing others, and Maki Zen'in was intended to be the primary recruiter rather than Satoru Gojo.
The narrative underwent heavy revisions based on editorial feedback and Akutami's own realizations. For instance, the original concept for Rika was that she would grow stronger the more time she spent with Yuta, but this was changed to ensure a more 'proper' ending. Additionally, Yuta's design was altered because he initially looked too much like the character Megumi Fushiguro. Even the setting was a point of contention; Akutami's first editor pushed for a school setting, which Akutami initially resisted, and the series was eventually published in Jump Giga rather than the flagship Weekly Shōnen Jump.
Despite these shifts, the work achieved massive commercial success. Originally serialized as 'Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical School' in 2017, it was retitled Jujutsu Kaisen 0 in 2018 to serve as a prequel. The manga has sold over 1.9 million copies by November 2021 and reached high rankings on the New York Times' Graphic Books list. The story remains a complex blend of influences, from the 'demon-host' dynamic of Naruto to the atmosphere of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Jujutsu Kaisen 0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-jujutsu-kaisen-0.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
