Yuji Itadori

Yuji Itadori grew up in rural Sendai, raised by his grandfather after his parents died. He was a track-and-field star in high school, known for his extraordinary physical strength. After his grandfather's death, Yuji encountered Megumi Fushiguro, a sorcerer hunting a cursed object at his school. To protect his friends from a rampaging curse, Yuji swallowed a finger belonging to Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, becoming his vessel. This act forced him into the world of jujutsu sorcery, and he enrolled at Tokyo Jujutsu High under the supervision of Satoru Gojo.[edit]

Yuji is kind-hearted, selfless, and deeply empathetic. He takes his grandfather's dying words to heart: to help others and die surrounded by people. He is cheerful and sociable, often cracking jokes to lighten the mood, but he carries a heavy burden knowing he must eventually die to destroy Sukuna. Yuji values all life and struggles with the morality of killing, even curses. He is determined and resilient, refusing to give in to despair or hatred.[edit]

Yuji's journey begins as a naive but eager student learning jujutsu basics. In the Fearsome Womb Arc, he teams with Megumi and Nobara to exorcise a special-grade curse. The Shibuya Incident Arc is a turning point: he witnesses the deaths of mentor Nanami and friend Nobara, is forced to let Sukuna take control to fight a powerful enemy, resulting in Sukuna's massacre of hundreds, and later kills his adoptive brother Choso. This trauma scars him, leading to a darker, more pragmatic outlook. In the Culling Game Arc, Yuji grapples with his role as a killer, develops new techniques, and confronts his humanity. The Shinjuku Showdown Arc sees him master reverse cursed technique, unlock blood manipulation inherited from his mother, and land a final black flash against Sukuna, helping to defeat the King of Curses.[edit]

Yuji Itadori has become one of the most popular shonen protagonists of the 2020s. He consistently ranks in the top three in official Jujutsu Kaisen character popularity polls, alongside Gojo and Fushiguro. His design—pink hair, athletic build, and red hoodie—has become iconic in anime merchandise. Critics praise his character development from a naive, cheerful boy into a battle-hardened, morally complex young man. Some early critics questioned his uniqueness as a protagonist, but his later arcs, especially his psychological struggles and refusal to become a typical 'dark' hero, won over many detractors.[edit]