Jujutsu Kaisen: Is Yuji Itadori Rising to Gojo’s Level?
Yuji Itadori’s Power Surge: What Writers Can Learn from Jujutsu Kaisen’s Reluctant Hero
Jujutsu Kaisen has been a juggernaut in the anime/manga world, and its protagonist Yuji Itadori is now at the center of the series’ latest buzz. With the manga’s climax introducing a game-changing development for Yuji (one that seemingly places him on par with his mentor, the legendary Satoru Gojo), fans worldwide are abuzz. This exciting turn, confirmed in the series’ sequel/epilogue, “suggests” Yuji has finally reached Gojo’s level — or did he? — a notion that both thrills and intrigues the fandom.
From Humble Beginnings to Heroic Heights
Yuji Itadori didn’t start off as a prodigy with a myriad of supernatural powers. In fact, at the very beginning of Jujutsu Kaisen, he was an ordinary high schooler — albeit an extraordinarily athletic one. (He famously sprinted a 50-meter track in just about 3 seconds, hinting at his superhuman potential even before gaining cursed energy!) His life took a turn when he became the vessel for the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna, thrusting this kind-hearted teen into the brutal world of Jujutsu sorcery. From that point on, Yuji’s story became a trial by fire that forged his abilities and resolve.
One of Yuji’s defining traits is his strong moral core. Guided by his grandfather’s dying wish to help others, Yuji values saving lives and ensuring a “proper death” for those who pass. This simple, earnest compassion made Yuji what creator Gege Akutami calls a deliberately “bland” or universal hero — a protagonist who does the right thing just because it’s right. While that straightforward heroism could risk seeming dull in lesser hands, Jujutsu Kaisen uses it as a sturdy foundation. It allows the story to put Yuji through extreme challenges without breaking his core character, instead adding layers to it.
Throughout the series, several factors contribute to Yuji’s remarkable growth:
Mentorship and Training: Under the tutelage of Satoru Gojo and other seasoned sorcerers, Yuji learned to harness cursed energy and hone his combat skills at a blistering pace. He proved to be a quick study — mastering complex techniques like Black Flash (a difficult feat that even Gojo struggles to pull off consistently). From Gojo’s domain-controlling prowess to Nanami’s work ethic and Todo’s battle tactics, Yuji absorbed lessons from each mentor, forging his own fighting style.
Personal Motivation: Yuji’s drive to protect others has never wavered. His simple goal of saving people and his refusal to take a life unnecessarily serve as his moral compass. Even as the darkness of the Jujutsu world encroached, this inner light kept him grounded. It’s the classic shōnen spirit — the determination to “always swing for the fences” and push past one’s limits — and Gojo himself noted that Yuji shares this all-or-nothing resolve. This unwavering motivation is a key ingredient in Yuji’s ability to grow stronger.
Trials by Fire: From early confrontations with cursed spirits to the traumatic events of the Shibuya Incident and beyond, Yuji has been tested like never before. Each arc forced Yuji to evolve. He suffered painful losses and faced gut-wrenching moral dilemmas, coming out of each trial more hardened and focused. By Season 2’s end (which saw the heroes endure the chaos of Shibuya) and heading into the manga’s final saga, we witness a much more world-weary Yuji — one who understands the stakes and the sacrifices of their war against evil. These crucibles of combat and tragedy are the fires in which Yuji’s character was tempered.
The Sukuna Factor: As the living vessel of Sukuna, Yuji’s path was never going to be ordinary. Containing history’s most malevolent curse inside him is both a source of incredible power and a grave burden. On one hand, Sukuna’s presence endowed Yuji with inhuman physical abilities and healing (he survived injuries that would kill others). On the other, every atrocity Sukuna commits weighs on Yuji’s conscience. This internal conflict has shaped Yuji immensely, teaching him humility, restraint, and the resolve to prevent the monster within from hurting those he cares about. It’s a brilliant narrative device that externalizes Yuji’s inner struggles.
Thanks to all these factors, Yuji evolved from a plucky, durable brawler into a full-fledged special grade sorcerer over the course of the story. As one fan aptly put it, “He’s gone from a plucky durable character to a special grade sorcerer making the King of Curses fear him.” By the time of the final battles, even the dreaded Sukuna had to acknowledge Yuji as a threat, a testament to how far “our boy” had come.
The Latest Development: Is Yuji on Gojo’s Level?
The buzz about Yuji “reaching Gojo’s level” largely stems from the manga’s conclusion and its newly released sequel one-shot (often referred to as Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo or Mojuro). In the climactic Shinjuku Showdown arc of the main story, Yuji steps up in a major way, effectively carrying on Gojo’s will and playing a pivotal role in the defeat of the ultimate evil, Sukuna. This crowning moment of his journey positions Yuji as one of the greatest sorcerers of his era.
Fast-forward to JJK Modulo, set decades in the future, and we catch a glimpse of Yuji’s legacy. A particular panel from this sequel shows Yuji being recognized alongside Gojo in historical records, commemorating them as the exceptional sorcerers who brought an end to the Culling Games and saved their world. In other words, the new generation looks back at Yuji Itadori and Satoru Gojo as legendary figures of equal standing. It’s a hugely satisfying payoff for fans who have watched Yuji claw his way up from newbie to legend.
However, this development also sparked intense fan debate. Initial news reports and social media chatter hyped it as “Yuji is now on Gojo’s level” in terms of raw power — a headline-grabbing takeaway that excited many. After all, seeing the once-greenhorn protagonist finally stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his unbeatable mentor is the classic shōnen dream. But is that literally what the story said?
According to careful readers and translators, the scene is more about recognition than an outright power-scaling equivalence. As one Reddit discussion explained, the panel’s intent was to honor Yuji (and others) for their contributions in defeating Sukuna, listing them alongside Gojo as heroes of that conflict — not necessarily to declare Yuji equal in strength to Gojo at his peak. In that scene, “Yuji is being recognized along with Gojo as one of the exceptional sorcerers that helped end the Culling Games”, the fan notes, clarifying that it’s about crediting the main contributors to victory rather than announcing Yuji’s power level. The nuance here is important: Yuji achieved special-grade sorcerer status and earned his place in history, which is huge, even if it doesn’t mean he copied Gojo’s exact abilities or could beat Gojo in a fight 1v1.
Fan Reactions: Hype, Debate, and Delight
The fan community’s response to Yuji’s apparent rise has been passionate and varied. On one hand, there’s an outpouring of pride and joy — many have been rooting for Yuji’s growth since day one, and seeing him finally get his due is emotional. “Yuji becoming the GOAT we all knew he’d become is great to see,” one fan wrote, celebrating how he came into his own powers and understanding of cursed techniques. Longtime readers feel vindicated that Yuji’s hard work and pain paid off in the end. It’s the classic catharsis of watching a beloved character fulfill their potential.
On the other hand, the “Yuji = Gojo level” talking point also drew some skepticism and semantic nitpicking within the fandom. Translation differences and the ever-feisty power-scaling crowd played a role in this. Some fans initially took the phrasing at face value — that Yuji has literally matched Gojo — which led to debates on forums about whether that’s “truly possible” or if it was an overstatement. This prompted community members to clarify the context (as discussed above) and even playfully chastise the power-scalers for jumping the gun. “Many people seem to believe this panel is saying Yuji became a sorcerer of Gojo’s level… it isn’t what the panel is saying at all,” one fan pointed out, adding that Yuji was simply being honored for his role in victory. The consensus among thoughtful readers is that Yuji is on Gojo’s level in terms of respect and grade, if not a carbon copy of Gojo’s might.
Interestingly, some fans are excited about what this means in-universe for Yuji’s recognition. Remember that at the start of the series, the Jujutsu higher-ups saw Yuji as a dangerous anomaly (being Sukuna’s vessel) and even wanted him executed. He was very much an underdog, fighting for approval. Now, with history recording him alongside Gojo — the gold standard of jujutsu sorcery — it implies those old institutions have no choice but to acknowledge Yuji’s greatness. One commenter (who sparked the whole discussion) cheerfully noted they “wanted all the annoying jujutsu clans to have to acknowledge [Yuji], so him being on Gojo’s level means they have to respect him.” It’s a satisfying narrative turn: the outcast becomes a legend revered by the establishment. For fans invested in Yuji’s standing among his peers, this is a huge victory beyond just power levels.
Amidst the debates, there’s also speculation about how Yuji got so strong and what his future could hold. The manga’s finale left some details to the imagination (and we’ll avoid heavy spoilers here), but it’s clear that Yuji’s rapid growth was no fluke. As fans have observed, Gojo himself had faith that Yuji could one day surpass him — an expectation he mentioned more than once. Yuji’s insane potential was foreshadowed by moments like these and by his uncanny ability to string together Black Flash attacks, an almost unheard-of feat. Now that the story has borne that out, fans are eager to discuss whether an adult Yuji (years after the main events) might truly be as formidable as Gojo was. Could he develop a Domain Expansion as broken as Gojo’s Infinity, or perhaps something entirely new? The sequel series may yet shed light on that. For now, what’s important is that Yuji Itadori earned his spot among the greats, and most of the fandom couldn’t be happier.
A Triumph of Character Development in Fiction
Beyond the excitement of power scaling and fandom debates, Yuji’s journey offers a deeper lesson in character development. In many ways, Itadori Yuji embodies the classic hero’s arc: he starts as a nobody with a heart of gold, is thrust into extraordinary circumstances, faces trials that test his ideals, and eventually emerges as a wise and capable champion. What makes Yuji’s arc particularly compelling is the balance between his external growth (strength, skill, accolades) and internal growth (values, resolve, emotional maturity).
1. Consistent Core, Evolving Personality: Throughout Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji’s fundamental kindness and selflessness remain intact — he’s always trying to save people. However, the innocence and carefree humor he showed in the early chapters gradually give way to a more solemn demeanor as the story darkens. This shift feels natural and earned. The Yuji in the final arc is more stoic and battle-worn, having shouldered grief and responsibility, yet traces of that goofy, compassionate teen from episode one still shine through in his interactions. Maintaining that thread of identity even as the character evolves is a hallmark of good writing.
2. Earning the Payoff: Gege Akutami didn’t hand Yuji ultimate power on a silver platter; every upgrade had a cost. When Yuji pulls off incredible feats — whether it’s landing multiple Black Flash hits in succession or mastering a new cursed technique — it usually comes at a climactic moment after considerable struggle and often some form of sacrifice. The narrative continuously builds toward each breakthrough, so when Yuji reaches a new height, the audience feels the weight of what it took. By the time we hear whispers that “Yuji might be on Gojo’s level,” it resonates because we’ve seen the blood, sweat, and tears behind it. This is a valuable lesson for writers: if you want the audience to accept a protagonist’s dramatic power-up or success, you must lay the groundwork through challenges and foreshadowing. Yuji’s late-story ascendancy works because it’s been hard-fought and foreshadowed (remember Gojo’s early confidence in Yuji’s potential).
3. Surrounding the Hero with Strong Supporting Characters: Akutami famously designed Yuji to be a bit of an everyman so that the supporting cast could shine in defining the story’s unique flavor. This approach paid off in spades. Characters like Megumi, Nobara, Maki, Yuta, and of course Gojo himself all left profound marks on Yuji’s growth. They challenged his views, taught him new techniques, or even acted as measuring sticks for his progress. By having a “blank slate” hero interact with vibrant allies and enemies, JJK managed to develop Yuji in relation to them. For example, Yuji’s partnership with Todo during the Goodwill Event not only unlocked Black Flash for him but also taught him the value of camaraderie. Similarly, his battles with Mahito forced him to confront the harsh reality of death and his own limits of mercy. This interplay shows how character development often comes from dynamic relationships — a crucial principle in fiction writing. Yuji’s arc is essentially co-written by every character around him, which makes his final growth feel like a communal payoff.
4. Thematic Resonance: At its core, Yuji’s journey underscores one of Jujutsu Kaisen’s central themes: finding purpose in a cruel world. Yuji starts with a simple purpose (helping others to honor his grandfather) and clings to it even as the world of curses tries to break him. By the end, he has refined that purpose into something even stronger — not just a personal promise, but a mission to ensure no one else endures what he did. His rise to “Gojo’s level” symbolizes the passing of the torch: the new generation inheriting the will of the old. Gojo believed in nurturing the youth to be better than the past, and Yuji exemplifies that by literally continuing Gojo’s legacy in battle and in ideals. For writers, this is a lesson in how to use a character’s development to reinforce the story’s themes. Yuji’s growth isn’t just power for power’s sake; it’s tied to the narrative’s exploration of mentorship, legacy, and morality.
The Road Ahead: Legacy of a New Legend
As of late 2024, the Jujutsu Kaisen manga has concluded Yuji’s main story, and the baton has been passed to a sequel storyline (JJK Modulo) set in the future. The anime, meanwhile, is catching up — a third season is confirmed, which will throw Yuji into the intense Culling Game arc. Anime-only fans have a lot to look forward to, as Yuji’s evolution in that arc will further bridge the gap between the enthusiastic boy from Season 1 and the formidable young man at the series’s end. Importantly, the anime viewers will finally get to see some of those pivotal moments (kept vague here to avoid spoilers) where Yuji’s character is irreversibly changed and steeled — the very moments that set the stage for him earning a comparison to Gojo.
For now, Yuji Itadori stands tall as one of the most well-developed new-gen shōnen protagonists. His rise to reputedly stand on Gojo’s level is both a literal plot point and a powerful metaphor. It represents how far determination, heart, and growth can take someone in a story richly layered with adversity. Fans aren’t just cheering because “big punch man got even stronger”; they’re cheering because they’ve been on a long, emotional journey with this character and seen him transform in a believable, resonant way. In an era where anime protagonists often chase the shadow of those who came before, Yuji managed to step out of Gojo’s shadow and cast his own — one just as large and inspiring.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s latest development is the crowning achievement of Yuji’s character arc, but it’s also a new beginning. It reaffirms that Yuji inherited the best of Gojo’s teachings and will carry that forward into the future of the franchise. For fans and writers alike, it’s a satisfying reminder that great characters aren’t born legendary — they become legendary through trials, growth, and an indomitable spirit. Yuji Itadori’s story, from eating a cursed finger on a dare to being hailed a generation-defining sorcerer, will be remembered as a masterclass in how to build up a hero the right way. And as the curtain falls on one saga and rises on another, one thing is certain: the world of Jujutsu Kaisen will never forget the kid who rose to meet the level of the strongest.