Epic poster of Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Reveals His Original Main Character Of JJK featuring a mysterious sorcerer surrounded by cursed energy and a destroyed Tokyo city background.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Reveals His Original Main Character Of JJK (2025)

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Introduction

Imagine diving into the dark, exhilarating world of Jujutsu Kaisen, where curses lurk in every shadow and sorcerers fight with breathtaking intensity. The story of Yuji Itadori, a kind-hearted high schooler turned vessel for the King of Curses, has captivated millions worldwide.

But what if I told you that Yuji wasn’t always meant to be the heart of this tale? Gege Akutami, the enigmatic creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, recently revealed that another character was originally envisioned as the series’ protagonist. This bombshell has sent shockwaves through the fandom, sparking debates and dreams about what could have been. Let’s unravel this revelation, exploring the roots of Akutami’s vision, the original hero, and how this shift shaped one of the most iconic shonen manga of our time.

Gege Akutami’s Early Vision for Jujutsu Kaisen

Inspiration Behind the Story

Gege Akutami, born in 1992 in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, is a storyteller who thrives in the shadows of anonymity. Drawing inspiration from classics like Bleach and Neon Genesis Evangelion, Akutami crafted a world where curses are born from human negativity, and sorcerers wield mystical techniques to battle them.

His love for morally complex narratives, where no one holds absolute truth, set the stage for Jujutsu Kaisen. In a 2020 interview, Akutami shared that he wanted characters driven by personal ethics, blurring the lines between hero and villain. This philosophy shaped his early drafts, where the story’s tone was even darker and more experimental than what we know today.

Akutami’s early career was marked by one-shots like Kamishiro Sosa and No. 9, which showcased his knack for blending horror, action, and emotional depth. These works hinted at the gritty, curse-filled universe he would later expand. But before Jujutsu Kaisen became a Weekly Shonen Jump sensation, it started as a different project—one with a different hero at its core.

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Original Concept of Jujutsu Kaisen 0

In 2017, Akutami serialized Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical School in Jump Giga, a four-chapter story later retitled Jujutsu Kaisen 0. This prequel introduced Yuta Okkotsu, a cursed teenager haunted by the spirit of his childhood friend, Rika Orimoto. Unlike the main series, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 focused on Yuta’s journey to control his overwhelming power under the guidance of Satoru Gojo. The story’s success caught Shueisha’s attention, earning unanimous approval for a full serialization.

However, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 wasn’t just a prequel—it was a prototype for Akutami’s vision. Yuta was the central figure, and early drafts of the main series positioned him as the potential lead. Meanwhile, another character, Megumi Fushiguro, emerged as Akutami’s original choice for the protagonist when the series evolved into Jujutsu Kaisen. This shift from Yuta to Megumi, and eventually to Yuji, is a fascinating tale of creative evolution.

Who Was the Original Main Character of Jujutsu Kaisen?

Megumi Fushiguro: The Chosen One

In a 2025 event in Tokyo, Akutami dropped a revelation that stunned fans: Megumi Fushiguro was originally intended to be the main character of Jujutsu Kaisen. For those familiar with the series, Megumi is Yuji’s brooding, stoic classmate, a sorcerer from the prestigious Zenin clan with a knack for summoning shikigami through his Ten Shadows Technique. Unlike Yuji’s upbeat optimism, Megumi is reserved, driven by a complex sense of duty and a desire to protect those he deems worthy.

Akutami envisioned Megumi as the vessel for Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses. In this early draft, Megumi would have grappled with Sukuna’s malevolent influence while navigating the jujutsu world’s politics and battles. His design—dark hair, sharp eyes, and a perpetually serious demeanor—reflected a classic shonen anti-hero, reminiscent of Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto. Akutami saw Megumi’s internal struggles and clan ties as a perfect anchor for the story’s darker themes.

Powers and Abilities Planned

Megumi’s Ten Shadows Technique, which allows him to summon shikigami like Divine Dogs and Mahoraga, was central to Akutami’s original plan. As Sukuna’s vessel, Megumi would have wielded this technique alongside the King of Curses’ devastating abilities, creating a volatile mix of power and danger. Akutami hinted in interviews that Megumi’s arc would have explored his potential to surpass even Gojo, with the Ten Shadows Technique evolving in unprecedented ways.

Moreover, Megumi’s relationship with his sister, Tsumiki, was meant to be a core emotional thread. Tsumiki’s gentle presence contrasted Megumi’s cynicism, grounding his motivations. In this version, Sukuna’s possession might have threatened Tsumiki, pushing Megumi to confront his inner demons. This setup promised a story steeped in tragedy and personal stakes, with Megumi as a reluctant hero burdened by fate.

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Why Gege Akutami Changed the Protagonist

Storytelling Challenges

While Megumi’s brooding nature and complex backstory were compelling, Akutami faced challenges in making him the narrative’s heart. In a 2024 exhibition interview, he admitted that Megumi’s reserved personality made it hard to craft a story that resonated with a broad shonen audience. His introspective nature, while rich, risked alienating readers who craved a more accessible hero. Additionally, Megumi’s role as Sukuna’s vessel felt too predictable, echoing other shonen tropes where a stoic character battles an inner demon.

Akutami also worried that Megumi’s clan ties and jujutsu expertise made him too entrenched in the sorcerer world. The story needed a fresh perspective—an outsider who could introduce readers to the jujutsu universe organically. This realization led Akutami to rethink his protagonist, paving the way for Yuji Itadori.

Creative Decisions and Editorial Inputs

Shueisha’s editors played a significant role in this shift. According to posts on X from 2025, Akutami’s editors encouraged him to create a more relatable lead to broaden the series’ appeal. They saw potential in a character like Yuji, whose everyman qualities—kindness, humor, and resilience—could balance the series’ dark tone. Akutami, initially hesitant, began experimenting with Yuji as the protagonist, drawing inspiration from Naruto Uzumaki and Ichigo Kurosaki.

Interestingly, Yuta Okkotsu’s role as a potential lead was also reconsidered. While Jujutsu Kaisen 0 proved Yuta’s appeal, Akutami felt his story was complete, making him better suited as a supporting character. Megumi, meanwhile, remained a key figure, but Yuji’s creation allowed Akutami to explore new narrative dynamics. This decision, though risky, transformed Jujutsu Kaisen into the global phenomenon it is today.

How Jujutsu Kaisen Might Have Been Different

Plotline Possibilities

What if Megumi had been the protagonist? The story would likely have been more introspective, focusing on his internal battle with Sukuna and his ties to the Zenin clan. The narrative might have delved deeper into jujutsu politics, with Megumi navigating alliances and betrayals. Tsumiki’s role would have been amplified, perhaps as a catalyst for Megumi’s growth or a tragic figure in his fight against Sukuna.

In contrast, Yuji’s journey emphasizes camaraderie and hope. His friendships with Megumi, Nobara, and Gojo drive the story, grounding its darker moments. A Megumi-led Jujutsu Kaisen might have been colder, with less emphasis on teamwork and more on solitary struggle. The Shinjuku Showdown arc, for instance, could have centered on Megumi’s showdown with Sukuna, altering the emotional stakes.

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Impact on Other Characters

A Megumi-centric story would have reshaped the roles of other characters. Gojo, already a mentor figure, might have been more antagonistic, challenging Megumi to surpass him. Nobara and Yuji, if present, could have been secondary allies, their vibrant personalities overshadowed by Megumi’s gravitas. Sukuna, meanwhile, would have had a different dynamic with Megumi, perhaps exploiting his insecurities rather than clashing with Yuji’s optimism.

Interestingly, Akutami’s 2025 comments suggest that Megumi’s eventual possession by Sukuna in the manga was a nod to his original plan. This plot point, where Sukuna takes over Megumi’s body, hints at the darker story Akutami once envisioned. However, Yuji’s presence as the protagonist ensured that this moment was a tragic twist rather than the story’s foundation.

Fan Reactions to the Revelation

Community Opinions

When Akutami revealed Megumi as the original protagonist, fans took to platforms like Reddit and X to share their thoughts. Many were intrigued, imagining a grittier Jujutsu Kaisen with Megumi at the helm. “Megumi as the lead would’ve been so intense,” one Reddit user wrote, “but Yuji’s warmth makes the story special.” Others felt Megumi’s reserved nature suited a supporting role, allowing Yuji to shine as the emotional core.

Some fans, however, expressed disappointment, believing Megumi’s depth was underutilized. On X, users debated whether Akutami’s editors pushed for a safer choice with Yuji, citing posts like one from @_foggymind in April 2025, which claimed editors favored Yuji for marketability. Regardless, the revelation sparked lively discussions, with fans re-reading the manga to spot clues of Megumi’s original role.

Critical Analysis

Critics have praised Akutami’s decision to pivot to Yuji, noting that his universal appeal broadened the series’ reach. In a 2024 ComicBook.com article, Akutami described Yuji as a “bland” hero whose versatility drives the story forward. While some fans initially bristled at this, critics argue that Yuji’s simplicity allows other characters—like Megumi, Gojo, and Sukuna—to shine. Megumi’s complexity, in contrast, might have narrowed the narrative’s scope, making it less accessible.

Still, the revelation has fueled speculation about spin-offs. Could Akutami revisit his original vision in a new project? Fans point to Jujutsu Kaisen 0 as proof of his ability to craft compelling stories with different leads. For now, the fandom remains divided yet fascinated, eager for more insights from Akutami.

Conclusion: How Yuji Itadori Became the Perfect Hero

Gege Akutami’s revelation about Megumi Fushiguro as the original protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen is more than a fun fact—it’s a window into the creative process behind a modern masterpiece. Megumi’s dark, introspective journey could have crafted a gripping tale, but Yuji Itadori’s warmth and resilience gave Jujutsu Kaisen its universal heart. By choosing Yuji, Akutami balanced the series’ grim themes with hope, creating a story that resonates across cultures and generations.

This pivot wasn’t just a practical decision; it was a bold leap that redefined the series’ soul. Yuji’s journey—marked by loss, friendship, and an unwavering desire to save others—mirrors the human experience in ways Megumi’s colder arc might not have. As fans, we’re left to marvel at Akutami’s genius, wondering what might have been while cherishing the story we have. So, the next time you re-read Jujutsu Kaisen or watch Yuji face impossible odds, ask yourself: was this the story Akutami was always meant to tell?

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