Both Gege Akutami and Tite Kubo have redefined modern Shonen manga in their own right with Jujutsu Kaisen and Bleach, respectively. But their occasional crossover moments offer fans a fascinating glimpse into their creative minds. One such moment came during an art exchange where Akutami drew Bleach‘s Mayuri Kurotsuchi, while Kubo sketched Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Suguru Geto.
Both of their artworks were a feast to the eyes, however, Akutami’s take on Mayuri particularly, was striking, chilling, and downright horrifying, leading fans to creep out. With this depiction of Kubo’s character, Akutami has further demonstrated her potential as a horror mangaka and proved why they specifically thrive on horror.
Gege Akutami’s Grotesque Artwork of Mayuri Kurotsuchi from Bleach
Years ago, Gege Akutami and Tite Kubo participated in an art crossover for the new Jujutus Kaisen book. This crossover artwork between the two creators showcased their distinct styles and artistic interpretations of each other’s work, with Akutami drawing Mayuri Kurotsuchi from Bleach and Kubo drawing Geto Suguru from Jujutsu Kaisen.
However, Akutami’s rendition of Mayuri Kurotsuchi took the character’s already unsettling design to a new level. Fans described it as nightmarish, with Akutami’s attention to the eerie, inhuman qualities of Mayuri amplifying his horror elements.
#BLEACH
Mayuri Kurotsuchi drawn by JJK’s author Gege Akutami pic.twitter.com/nYpJDgwpO0— Arthur (@Nagato890) November 21, 2024
Of course its gege who would draw him
— Broly (@2boisaredeaf) November 21, 2024
NEVER LET BRO COOK AGAIN THIS SHIT IS TERRIFYING
— soul king (@soul_D_king232) November 21, 2024
Peak https://t.co/bwtYNrz5Jt pic.twitter.com/bhn3AH4q4S
— Arsene²🍉 (@Arsenethe_alt) November 22, 2024
Nightmare fuel, shoutout Gege https://t.co/jHdStZT7lf
— Mr. Umbra 🏳️🌈 (@DarkUmbra26) November 22, 2024
Mayuri, known for his eerie facial expressions and grotesque experiments in Bleach, is no stranger to horrifying imagery. However, under Akutami’s pen, he became even more disturbing. The exaggerated sharpness of his features, and the ominous atmosphere surrounding him left fans chilled.
This ability to intensify horror elements indicates that Akutami’s artistic qualities are ideal for the genre. Even though Jujutsu Kaisen often deals with scary themes and horrific curses, Akutami could be able to reach their full creative potential with a proper horror-focused series.
Gege Akutami’s Fascination with Mayuri Kurotsuchi
During a special talk between Gege Akutami and Tite Kubo years ago, Akutami revealed their admiration for Bleach and its characters. While choosing a favorite character among the Bleach casts proved difficult, Akutami ultimately selected Mayuri Kurotsuchi over the equally captivating Kenpachi Zaraki.
Their reasoning? Mayuri’s unsettling design and early Bankai revelation, as they recalled “how utterly disgusted” they felt after seeing him for the first time. Mayuri’s Bankai, Matai Fukuin Shotai left a profound impact on Akutami. The thrilling reaction upon seeing Mayuri’s Bankai for the first time in Bleach highlights Akutami’s appreciation for Kubo’s ability to evoke powerful emotional responses.
Mayuri’s character represents the perfect intersection of horror and Shonen’s storytelling. His grotesque design, morally ambiguous nature, and reliance on grotesque experiments make him one of Bleach‘s most unsettling characters. Similarly, Gege Akutami’s chilling portrayal of Mayuri Kurotsuchi offers a fascinating glimpse into what they could achieve in the horror genre.
The guidelines of the Shonen genre often limit how far a creator can push certain ideas, but horror offers a platform for unfiltered creativity. While Jujutsu Kaisen remains a sample of Akutami’s brilliance, we can only imagine the spine-chilling masterpieces Akutami could create if they ever decide to fully embrace horror.
Both Jujutsu Kaisen and Bleach are currently available to read on Viz Media.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
