Yuji Itadori
A Jujutsu Sorcerer who hosts the ancient curse Ryomen Sukuna.
Yuji Itadori is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the manga series Jujutsu Kaisen, created by Gege Akutami. He is a first-year Jujutsu Sorcerer at Tokyo Jujutsu High who becomes the host of the powerful sorcerer Ryomen Sukuna after eating one of Sukuna's fingers. Yuji's story revolves around exorcising Curses while honoring his grandfather's legacy and saving others unconditionally, knowing he will be executed after consuming all twenty fingers.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- First
- Jujutsu Kaisen #1, "Ryomen Sukuna" (2018)
- Creator
- Gege Akutami
- Voice
- Japanese:
- Junya Enoki
- English:
- Adam McArthur
- Occupation
- Student at Tokyo Jujutsu High
- Nationality
- Japanese
Facts from the source article.
Concept
Gege Akutami created Yuji Itadori after writing Jujutsu Kaisen 0. His first name, Yuji, translates to "abundant, help, and brave," with "yu" meaning slow or relaxing and "ji" meaning caring for others. His family name, Itadori, comes from Japanese knotweed, used in traditional medicine to take away pain, representing Yuji's caring interior. Akutami stated that if he were to identify Yuji's theme music, it would be "Heart ni Hi wo Tsukete" by 9mm Parabellum Bullet and "Itsuka Dokoka De" by Kuchiroro. Inspired by Naruto Uzumaki and Ichigo Kurosaki, Akutami aimed to create a different dynamic where Yuji is constantly mocked and victimized by Ryomen Sukuna. Yuji's appearance wearing a hoodie was meant to symbolize his hesitancy and indecisiveness. Akutami debunked fan theories that Yuji's mother was Yuki Tsukumo.
Appearances
Yuji first appears as an eccentric 15-year-old living with his grandfather Wasuke and a member of his high school's Occult Club. After his grandfather's death, Yuji is approached by Megumi Fushiguro about a finger of Sukuna that the club obtained. Satoru Gojo tells Yuji he is intended for execution but delayed until he eats all of Sukuna's fingers. Yuji moves into Tokyo Jujutsu High and befriends Megumi and Nobara Kugisaki. He dies during an altercation with a Cursed Womb but is revived by Sukuna. Yuji later befriends Junpei, who is killed by Mahito, prompting Yuji to swear revenge. At an exhibition between Tokyo and Kyoto schools, Yuji reveals he survived. He forms a brotherly bond with Kyoto's Aoi Todo. Together, they repel an invasion by Mahito and Hanami, during which Yuji uses Black Flash. Later, Yuji and Nobara kill two Cursed Womb brothers, though Yuji regrets disrupting their bond.
Reception
Yuji Itadori topped the MyAnimeList fan-favorite rankings for Jujutsu Kaisen in June 2021, and in a Viz Media poll from March 2021, he came in second only to Satoru Gojo. At the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, he was up for Best Protagonist and took home Best Fight Scene for his team-up with Aoi Todo against Hanami. Adam McArthur earned a nomination for Best Voice Artist Performance (English) for voicing Yuji. Critics have responded well to the character. Polygon’s Chingy Nea initially saw him as a standard hero but noted the series uses him to challenge shonen tropes with modern grimness, making him a scared but persistent helper. Yale’s Karen Lu pointed out that Yuji breaks the mold of the stubborn lead by quickly accepting he can’t save everyone, and that his strength comes from real pain. Eric Thomas of Discussing Film appreciated the anime’s added scenes with Yuji’s grandfather, which gave his backstory more emotional weight.
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