Despite the series commencing in 2021, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Yuji Itadori has already become one of the most famous anime faces of the 21st century. He represents a new crop of shonen heroes changing the narrative landscape from within. In stark contrast to older, relatively juvenile protagonists like Naruto and Goku, Yuji is both in touch with his feelings and extremely empathetic.
Many ascribe his character development to Satoru Gojo’s mentorship, and there’s no denying that Yuji was thoroughly transformed by his beloved sensei. And yet, there are a few JJK characters whose influence on Yuji cuts even deeper than Gojo’s guidance, shaping Yuji’s moral compass in ways that feel more personal and enduring.
Mahito and Kento Nanami Showed Yuji the Moral Opposites of Jujutsu
Satoru Gojo may have initiated Yuji Itadori into jujutsu society, but it was the stark ideological difference between Kento Nanami and Mahito that deepened his understanding of the world. Existing at opposite ends of the moral spectrum, while engaging in multiple fights throughout Jujutsu Kaisen, these two charactes forced Yuji to recognize what it means to be a sorcerer — even before he was emotionally prepared for the responsibility.
As the first adult sorcerer Yuji genuinely respected, Nanami’s weary professionalism was in stark contrast with Gojo’s hyperbolic personality. And this instilled in the protagonist a mature perspective on duty and sacrifice, with no romanticism whatsoever. Gojo had the power to be carefree, whereas Nanami showed Yuji the obligations that accompanied an ordinary sorcerer.
And nowhere was this burden more evident than Mahito’s nihilistic apathy towards humanity. Yuji suffered multiple times at the hands of the obnoxious cursed spirit, witnessing countless harrowing murders before eventually losing loved ones like Junpei, Nanami and Nobara to Mahito’s gleeful violence. The opportunity to become a sorcerer that Gojo granted Yuji would have meant nothing had Mahito and Nanami not taught him why that choice mattered.
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Choso Became Yuji’s Brother in More Than Just Blood
Choso’s initial desire was to kill Yuji for his role in exorcising his brothers, Kechizu and Eso. He fought with the hero during the Shibuya Incident, where Yuji nearly managed to outmaneuver Choso before ultimately failing. It was at this emotional climax, just before Choso went for the killing blow, that he got the first glimpses of who Yuji actually was and how much that meant to him.
The exact circumstances behind this sudden eruption of memories remain tied to Kenjaku’s mysterious experiments, but Choso eventually embraces the connection and dedicates himself to protecting Yuji. And the support he provides is heartwarmingly unconditional, built around the rules of family rather than mentorship. As much as Gojo cared for Yuji, Choso is one of the few who never expected anything from his brother.
Still, Choso accepted Yuji’s path throughout the Culling Game and the JJK manga’s concluding battles, where he eventually placed his brother’s safety over his own survival. His very presence reminded Yuji that he was more than just a vessel, or even a sorcerer for that matter. Ultimately, Choso was the family Yuji needed more than anything else.
Aoi Todo and Yuji Remained Close Friends for Decades
Aoi Todo’s entry is one of the weirdest introductions in anime, with him bluntly asking others to describe their perfect woman. Since Yuji was seemingly the first to seriously answer his bizarre question, Todo developed a rapport that soon evolved into a very close friendship. Despite there being no shared blood between them, he quickly claims Yuji as his brother.
In fact, a highlight of their fight against Mahito was watching Todo’s locket open to reveal Yuji’s picture, alongside Todo’s beloved pop idol Takada, demonstrating a bond that remained unbreakable for decades. Todo would influence not only Yuji’s growth as a fighter, but also his ability to strive through emotional devastation.
It was Todo who lifted Yuji after he lost his beloved friends and allies, unleashing a speech about carrying the will of fallen comrades that persuaded the hero to stand back up when he had nearly surrendered to his agony. Although he doesn’t appear in the sequel, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, Yuji refers to him in a way that underscores their lifelong friendship.
As with any shonen anime, the protagonist’s closest friends shape them considerably more than any mentor possibly could. Nobara Kugisaki and Megumi Fushiguro grew, learned, and fought alongside Yuji, transforming what could have been an isolating existence as Sukuna’s vessel into something resembling a normal adolescence. Without these two around, Yuji’s loneliness would have likely overwhelmed him.
Megumi becomes the first sorcerer Yuji ever meets, making him directly responsible for dragging him into Jujutsu Kaisen‘s world. And though he continues to challenge his new best friend’s simplistic worldview, he never once forgets his responsibility. Megumi risks life and limb for Yuji on multiple occasions, even more so than Nobara.
That said, Nobara’s influence on Yuji contributes as much to their friendship as Megumi does. The playful adventures they go on, with Megumi often tagging along as an “unwilling” participant, encapsulate the joys and freedoms of young life that Yuji deserves. While Nobara appeared at the end of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo and Megumi only got a mention, both characters were indispensable pillars of the protagonist’s support system.
Ryomen Sukuna Ironically Juxtaposed Yuji Itadori’s Core Empathy
There isn’t a single Jujutsu Kaisen character who influences Yuji Itadori more negatively — or more profoundly — than Ryomen Sukuna. With the King of Curses representing his symbolic dark side, Sukuna served as an ideological counterpoint to Yuji’s perspectives on life and power. Ironically, the villain’s relentless opposition to the hero’s innate goodness ends up strengthening Yuji’s moral convictions.
From the second Sukuna enters the story, he displays an absolute contempt for human life. He massacres entire populations at a whim, exclusively pursues self-gratification at any cost, and views compassion as a core weakness. Any aspect of Sukuna’s unchanging actions could have corrupted Yuji, but the King of Curses instead turned into a cautionary tale.
When Sukuna coldly destroys Yuji’s innocence by murdering thousands, the experience fundamentally changes his perspective and helps forge an even greater sense of duty. The manga’s final arcs heighten this contrast, culminating in Yuji’s Domain Expansion becoming the visual representation of his true nature. Gojo showed Yuji how to be strong, and Sukuna taught him why that strength matters, paradoxically defining the young socerer’s identity.
- Release Date
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October 3, 2020
- Network
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TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC
- Directors
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Ryohei Takeshita, Masataka Akai, Chie Nishizawa, Daisuke Tsukushi, Tomomi Kamiya, Kakushi Ifuku, Ken Takahashi
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Yuichi Nakamura
Satoru Gojo