Renowned for his unmatched abilities, confidence, and frequently snobby demeanor, Satoru Gojo is one of the most powerful characters in Jujutsu Kaisen. But beneath this facade of him, lies a complex identity molded by harsh reality and personal tragedies. The demise of Riko Amanai was among the key incidents that influenced Gojo’s perspective on life and death the most.
According to the seriesโ creator Gege Akutami, this experience revealed a more vulnerable and deeper aspect of Gojo, also serving as a harsh wake-up call. Until then, he had assumed a feeling of invincibility in his role as a Jujutsu sorcerer, firmly believing in his abilities to protect everyone around him. This delusion was shattered when Riko Amanai died, and he was left to face the hard fact that he couldn’t save everyone, no matter how strong he was.
A Deeper Dive into Satoru Gojo’s Psyche in Jujutsu Kaisen
Gege Akutami has recently answered 33 questions about Gojo in their Special Gojo Booklet, where they discussed various aspects of this charismatic sorcerer’s personality, along with his origin and subtle details of his character.
A particular question was brought up in this booklet to identify Gojo’s emotional state following his comrade’s death, the creator shed light on Gojo’s psychological state clearly, quoting,
I think there is also a part of him that has resigned himself to the death of his comrades. He sees it from the perspective that anyone other than himself could die at any given moment.
The perspective highlights Gojo’s deep understanding of life. His notion that those around him would eventually pass away was ingrained in him after the horrific experience of losing Riko. Even while he shows grief and rage when his comrades are killed, there is an underlying acceptance that these tragedies are an inevitable part of being a jujutsu sorcerer.
Gojo’s seemingly condescending attitude can be traced back to this significant moment. His overwhelming strength and confidence are partly a facade, masking the vulnerability and helplessness he felt during Riko’s death, who he was assigned to protect.
Akutami also commented on Gojo’s complex, which is not be able to stop Geto. This statement implies that Gojo’s primary struggle is not with feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt, but rather with the guilt and frustration of being unable to save those he cares about.
The Evolution of Satoru Gojo through Jujutsu Kaisen
Gojo underwent a dramatic character change following Riko’s departure. After this incident, he is even more driven to transform the Jujutsu world in order to establish a more secure environment where tragedies of this kind can be avoided. His condescending manner is a reflection of his innate desire to keep his comrades and students safe, even at the expense of coming across as distant and cold.
This evolution is evident in his interactions with his students, particularly Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara. While Gojo presents a self-assured and somewhat snobbish front, he also genuinely cares about their well-being. His desire to save them from suffering the same fate as Riko motivates him to train and protect them.
Gojo’s journey is evidence of the harsh realities faced by jujutsu sorcerers and the emotional toll of their responsibilities. As we continue to dive into the labyrinth of Jujutsu Kaisen, the depth of Gojo’s character serves as a sad reminder that even the most powerful and condescending people have a vulnerableย human side.
You can watch Jujutsu Kaisen on Crunchyroll.
