Yuji Itadori is the main protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen, and his journey is at the heart of the series. He is an energetic, kind-hearted, and athletic high school student who becomes entangled in the world of curses and jujutsu sorcery after a series of life-changing events.
Background:
Yuji Itadori initially lives a relatively normal life, living with his grandfather in a small town. His grandfather, who raised him, is a significant figure in Yuji’s life, teaching him important life lessons about helping others and living without regret. Yuji is known for his exceptional physical abilities, often showing feats of strength and agility far beyond the average person. However, despite his natural talent, he chooses to live a peaceful life and stays away from any dangerous activities.
Yuji’s life takes a dramatic turn when he comes into contact with a cursed object—a rotting finger that once belonged to the powerful curse Ryomen Sukuna, a malevolent being known as the King of Curses.
The Curse of Sukuna:
While trying to protect his friends from a group of curses, Yuji swallows Sukuna’s finger, unknowingly becoming the host for the ancient curse’s spirit. This act binds him to Ryomen Sukuna, who is a powerful and malicious curse, capable of causing destruction on a massive scale. Sukuna was once a human sorcerer but became a curse after his death, and now his power resides in Yuji’s body.
However, unlike most who become possessed or consumed by curses, Yuji proves remarkably resilient to Sukuna’s influence. He retains control of his body, despite Sukuna occasionally taking over when it suits his purposes. This unique situation is what sets Yuji apart from other characters in the series and becomes central to his character arc.
Introduction to Jujutsu Sorcery:
After swallowing the cursed finger, Yuji becomes a target of both curses and jujutsu sorcerers. He is soon discovered by Satoru Gojo, one of the most powerful jujutsu sorcerers, who takes him to Jujutsu High. There, Yuji learns about the world of jujutsu sorcery—an underground battle between sorcerers and curses. Jujutsu sorcerers work to protect humanity from dangerous curses, which are born from negative human emotions and are a constant threat to the world.
Yuji’s unique position as a human host for Sukuna makes him a special case. Instead of being immediately eliminated or controlled, Yuji is taken under Gojo’s guidance. Gojo sees potential in him and believes that Yuji could play a key role in the battle against curses, even though Sukuna resides within him.
Yuji’s Abilities:
- Superhuman Strength and Speed: Yuji’s natural athleticism allows him to perform incredible feats of physical strength and speed, making him a formidable fighter even before he learns jujutsu techniques.
- Cursed Energy: Like all jujutsu sorcerers, Yuji is capable of harnessing cursed energy, which is the fundamental power used to combat curses. He can use this energy in various ways, from enhancing his physical attacks to creating energy blasts.
- Sukuna’s Power: One of the key aspects of Yuji’s abilities is his connection to Sukuna. Though Yuji tries to maintain control over his body, Sukuna’s cursed energy can sometimes leak out or take over when the situation calls for it. However, Yuji retains the ability to resist Sukuna’s influence, which makes him both a liability and a valuable asset in the jujutsu world.
- Limitless Potential: Yuji has shown great promise in terms of learning and mastering jujutsu techniques. His fighting instinct and the ability to learn quickly make him a strong contender in the world of jujutsu sorcery, though he is still very much a beginner when he starts out.
Personality:
Yuji’s personality is one of his defining features. He is deeply compassionate, always seeking to help others and protect those who are important to him. His grandfather’s final words to him—”Help people and live without regret”—become a guiding principle for Yuji, motivating him to fight not for personal gain, but to help others and make the world a better place.
Despite his friendly and empathetic nature, Yuji is also shown to have a great deal of courage and determination. Even when facing incredibly dangerous curses or situations, he shows a willingness to risk his life for the sake of others. This sense of duty and moral compass defines his character, often placing him in morally complex situations where he must weigh the value of human life and the cost of his actions.
Yuji’s Struggles:
While Yuji is brave and optimistic, he struggles with the darker side of being a jujutsu sorcerer. A key theme in his arc is his conflict with Sukuna and the difficulty of living with the curse inside him. As he continues to fight and kill curses, Yuji grapples with the emotional burden of the violence, especially when he must take lives in order to protect others. His journey is one of self-discovery, as he contemplates what it means to live a meaningful life while being connected to such a dark force.
Relationships:
- Satoru Gojo: Gojo is Yuji’s mentor and a major influence on his development. Though Gojo is often carefree and playful, he sees Yuji’s potential and pushes him to grow stronger. Gojo’s belief in Yuji helps guide the young sorcerer as he tries to navigate the dangerous world of jujutsu.
- Megumi Fushiguro: Megumi is one of Yuji’s classmates and a fellow jujutsu sorcerer at Jujutsu High. Though initially cold and distant, Megumi and Yuji develop a strong bond of friendship. Megumi often acts as a more serious and thoughtful counterbalance to Yuji’s enthusiastic nature. Despite their differences, they respect each other deeply, and their partnership grows over time.
- Nobara Kugisaki: Nobara is another of Yuji’s classmates and a fellow first-year student at Jujutsu High. She is strong-willed, confident, and not afraid to speak her mind. Though she often teases Yuji and Megumi, she values their friendship and shares their goal of becoming stronger jujutsu sorcerers. Together, the three form a strong, supportive team.
- His Grandfather: Yuji’s grandfather, who raised him after the death of his parents, plays an important role in shaping Yuji’s moral compass. Although Yuji’s grandfather dies early in the series, his final words—”Help people and live without regret”—continue to influence Yuji’s actions throughout the series.
Yuji’s Role in the Story:
Yuji’s journey is central to Jujutsu Kaisen, both as the protagonist and as a symbol of the series’ central themes. His involvement with Sukuna places him at the crossroads of humanity and curse, and his growing ability to control his powers and understand his role in the world of jujutsu sorcery drives the main plot forward.
Throughout the series, Yuji’s ultimate goal is to find a way to get rid of Sukuna’s curse without sacrificing himself or his friends. As he faces increasingly powerful curses and uncovers more about the world of jujutsu, Yuji’s path will continue to test his beliefs, his strength, and his resolve.
Yuji Itadori’s Impact:
Yuji Itadori is one of the standout protagonists in modern anime. His mix of raw physical talent, deep emotional complexity, and a strong moral compass makes him a compelling and relatable character. His relationships with his friends, his struggles with the curse inside him, and his determination to protect those around him ensure that he remains a central figure in the Jujutsu Kaisen series, driving both its action and emotional core.
As the series progresses, Yuji will continue to evolve, facing both external threats and internal dilemmas, making his journey one that fans eagerly follow.