Highlights
- Jujutsu Kaisen’s animation is flawless, the characters are multifaceted, and the story is compelling, making it one of the best anime of the new generation.
- While Gojo steals the spotlight, Itadori deserves more recognition as the main protagonist. His relatability, physical strength, and strategic thinking make him a character worthy of respect.
- Unlike Gojo, Itadori can form and maintain genuine friendships, showcasing his empathy, compassion, and unwavering loyalty. His ability to connect with others is a notable trait that sets him apart.
Considered one of Shonen Jump’s new Big Three, alongside My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen is widely regarded as one of the best anime of the new generation, and with good reason. It features some of the most fluid and flawless animation seen. The animation is flawless, the characters are multifaceted and dynamic, and the story is compelling.
Jujutsu Kaisen follows the story of high schooler Itadori Yuji. After consuming a cursed finger containing the soul of the powerful Sukuna, Itadori joins Tokyo Jujutsu High and is trained by Gojo Satoru to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer—a human who can see curses and must eliminate them from the world.
In the recent “Red Scale” episode, we witnessed Itadori facing a devastating defeat. With only four episodes remaining until the end of the Shibuya Incident arc and the primary focus of this arc being an attempt to free Gojo from his seal, the last arc being literally called the “Gojo’s Past” arc, many fans have commented on how Jujutsu Kaisen sometimes feels more like “The Gojo Show.” While Itadori is indeed the main protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen and the catalyst for the proliferation of curses, many fans feel that he does not receive nearly enough recognition, often overshadowed by the world’s strongest sorcerer, Gojo. While Gojo is a scene-stealer, there are aspects of Itadori Yuji that are often overlooked, and this is why he deserves more recognition and respect as a main character.
Itadori is More Relatable Than Gojo
To begin, Itadori is a more relatable character that we can all connect with on a more personal level compared to Gojo. Right from the very first episode, “Ryomen Sukuna,” we’re introduced to Itadori, who’s dealing with the illness and sudden loss of his grandfather while juggling the demands of high school life – such as sports. His journey into becoming a Jujutsu Sorcerer is far from predestined; he’s not a character born with innate powers. This all started because he ate a finger. So, he must learn, train, and put in the work to achieve his abilities.
On the flip side, Gojo Satoru was born into the Gojo clan and therefore, he possesses unique, inherently powerful abilities from birth. In the “Hidden Inventory 3” episode, we catch a glimpse of just how formidable Gojo has always been. Toji Fugushiro, known as the “Sorcerer Killer,” was a highly skilled assassin, adept at wielding cursed energy without emitting any, making him virtually undetectable by sorcerers. However, even as a child, Gojo’s eyes held such extraordinary power that he could sense Toji’s presence behind him, leaving the typically confident killer unsettled. While Gojo’s abilities are impressive, Itadori’s journey and the relentless efforts is more relatable.
Although he may not be born with the Six Eyes, Itadori possesses something that does set him apart – his strength. Itadori is incredibly strong. One of the most remarkable aspects of his character is that he primarily engages in hand-to-hand combat. While Megumi has the Ten Shadows Technique, Nobara uses cursed energy-infused nails and a hammer, Toge has Cursed Speech, and Gojo, well, he has everything. Itadori fights using his left and right fists. This approach has allowed him to emerge victorious in battles against formidable foes such as the brothers Eso and Kechizu, Awasaka, and Ko-Guy – the idiotic “clever” grasshopper curse. In summation, Itadori’s physical strength and his preference for brawling and hand-to-hand combat are qualities that set him apart from other Jujutsu Sorcerers. His raw power and unwavering determination make him a character worthy of respect.
Itadori is Smarter Than You Think
Furthermore, although he is often characterized as the typical “dumb shonen protagonist,” think Luffy, Goku, Deku, and the like, Itadori has demonstrated that he can be a quick thinker with substantial combat knowledge. In the Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc, when he and Aoi Todo were forced to battle the Disaster Curse Hanami, Itadori used his surroundings to his advantage, splashing water and throwing rocks to close the distance between himself and Hanami, landing some hard-hitting blows. In his most recent and intense battle with Choso, while ultimately defeated, he exhibited adaptability, aided by Mechamaru.
While Gojo is nowhere near dumb, he often does not take situations, opponents, or battles seriously, because, well, he IS the strongest. This supreme confidence in his abilities is a defining aspect of his character. However, this was shown to be his demise, as Geto – Kenjaku using Geto’s body – was able to seal him. Itadori’s approach to combat, marked by quick thinking, resourcefulness, and adaptability, adds a unique and refreshing perspective to the Jujutsu Kaisen series. While Gojo’s overwhelming power is unquestionable, Itadori’s ability to strategize and make the best of his circumstances in battles provides a contrast and depth to the narrative. It emphasizes the diversity of heroism within the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, making Itadori a character worthy of recognition and respect.
Furthermore, while Itadori is often categorized as a typical “dumb shonen protagonist,” comparable to characters like Luffy, Goku, and Deku, he consistently proves to be a quick thinker with substantial combat knowledge. For instance, in the Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc, when confronted with the formidable Disaster Curse Hanami alongside Aoi Todo, Itadori cleverly utilized his surroundings. He employed tactics such as splashing water and hurling rocks to gain an advantage, successfully closing the gap between himself and Hanami and delivering powerful blows. In his battle with Choso in “Red Scale”, while ultimately defeated, he exhibited adaptability, aided by Mechamaru.
In contrast, Gojo, while far from being considered “dumb,” often approaches situations, opponents, and battles with an air of nonchalance. His unwavering confidence in his status as “the strongest” is a defining element of his character. However, this confidence proved to be his downfall when Geto, Kenjaku possessing Geto’s body, successfully sealed him within “Pandemonium.” Itadori’s ability to strategize and make the most of his circumstances in battles presents a distinct contrast to Gojo’s often cocky and carefree approach.
Unlike Gojo, Itadori Can Keep a Friend
Yuji Itadori shows throughout the series that he can start and maintain friendships and genuine connections with a wide range of people. Unlike Satoru Gojo, who is shown to have had only one true friend – Geto Suguru.
Gojo and Geto both attended Tokyo Jujutsu High and with their skills, rose to the rank of special-grade sorcerers and became extremely powerful – although, Gojo soon surpassed Geto as “the strongest”. However, after the Riko Amanai – the Star Plasma Vessel for Master Tengen’- is shot and killed by Fugushiro Toji, and people begin to cheer, Geto begins to become withdrawn. Slowly, his ideology changes as he realizes that they are the reason for curses existing in the first place. He begins to despise non-sorcerers, calling them “monkeys” and tries to create a world in which they do not exist. Geto begins to murder innocent people and starts a cult. Eventually, after battling Yuta Okkotsu and his childhood best friend “- turned – curse Orimoto Rika, Geto is mortally wounded and killed by Gojo at the end of “Jujutsu Kaisen 0”. Since then, Gojo has not forged any other true friendships, although he does seem to enjoy annoying Kento Nanami, but to be fair, Gojo seems to enjoy annoying everyone. (which is also probably why he can’t keep a friend.)
In contrast, Yuji Itadori’s exceptional personality traits – his empathy, compassion, and unwavering loyalty – enable him to form and preserve numerous friendships. His initial act of consuming Sukuna’s finger was driven by his desire to protect his friends, including Takeshi Iguchi and Setsuko Sasaki from the Occult Club. These bonds extend to his relationships with many of his classmates including Aoi Todo, Nobara Kugisaki, and Megumi Fushiguro, and even past classmates like Yuko Ozawa. Perhaps one of the most poignant moments in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime is his friendship with Junpei. After meeting Junpei in the episode “Idle Transfiguration,” Itadori and Junpei quickly bond over their shared love of horror movies. Itadori begins spending time at Junpei’s house, even sharing dinner with Junpei and his mother. However, the friendship did not last, because Junpei was a pawn in Mahito’s plan, and he was turned into a mutant, which led to him dying. This is a tragic turning point, sparking intense battles alongside Kento Nanami against formidable adversaries like Mahito. Itadori’s friend’s death forced him to face adversity, whereas Gojo remained distant.
In conclusion, while we all appreciate Gojo—he’s strong, handsome, and funny (did I mention handsome already?)—Itadori possesses numerous qualities that often go unnoticed due to the attention given to Gojo. Itadori’s reliance on raw strength and his unwavering resolve to face powerful enemies head-on make him a character worthy of respect. It’s his human qualities and willingness to confront adversity that resonate with viewers, solidifying his place as an inspiring and respectable main character in Jujutsu Kaisen. Itadori is a shonen protagonist who deserves more recognition in his own show, and with the forthcoming events (no manga spoilers here), he will undoubtedly earn it.
Jujutsu Kaisen is available to stream on Prime Video.
