It is almost an ironclad rule of the Shonen genre that protagonists need to stand out from the rest. Otherwise, where is the fun and thrill? And why would readers continue the series? Gege Akutami, on the other hand, has created a protagonist who is often overshadowed by other characters.
Of course, Yuji’s physical strength, as well as determination, has always set him apart from the rest. But isn’t that true for every Shonen hero? In an interview at a Jujutsu Kaisen exhibition, Gege Akutami answered some questions about Yuji that will change your entire concept about the character.
Gege Akutami States Yuji’s Flexibility Can Make Stories Bland
In the interview, Gege Akutami explained that Yuji Itadori is a straightforward main character. His idea was to use other characters to pave a defined path while a universal protagonist was portrayed.
Itadori’s versatility is in the sense that he’s easy to fit into shounen-type stories. But this can also make the stories a bit bland.
Itadori is indeed a flexible character, as you can fit him into any story, and he will act as any other protagonist. Yuji is hardworking, straightforward, says what he thinks, and is kind. He is also extremely energetic, friendly, and outgoing, like most Shonen heroes. Doesn’t this sound like a hundred other heroes that you have already encountered as an anime fan? No wonder Gojo stole the spotlight in Jujutsu Kaisen as soon as he debuted.
In other words, Gege Akutami admits that Yuji Itadori is a bland character. But this revelation is not great news to fans, especially just a few chapters before Jujutsu Kaisen ends. There are already speculations that claim Yuji might die by the end of the manga. If Akutami considers him a bland character, it would not take long for him to dispose of Itadori.
Yuji Itadori as a Reflection of the Jujutsu Kaisen Audience
Gege Akutami further explained that when Itadori does an action, like saving someone or any other morally just deed, there doesn’t have to be a real reason behind it. As a universal protagonist, it’s just what is expected of his character. However, in return for the story moving forward easily, the mangaka has to pay the price as readers might not get a good taste of the protagonist’s actions, thus resulting in an inability to relate to the series.
Another aspect of his versatility is being able to react to things in the story alongside the reader’s perspective.
Gege Akutami constructed Yuji in such a way that his reactions almost always match those of Jujutsu Kaisen readers. In a way, he is an extension of the audience in the manga world. So when Itadori encounters something new, his reaction matches with that of the readers, thus making fans feel more attached to the series.
There are several extremely difficult concepts in Jujutsu Kaisen. From the Culling Game setup to Cursed Techniques, which can only be understood by scholars as Akutami did not hold back on the lengthy explanations. But, when the rules are explained to Itadori, and he reacts like he doesn’t understand them, readers will also feel that it’s ok for them not to get everything. If the protagonist himself is winning battles despite not knowing the rules, then readers feel a lot more at peace.
Jujutsu Kaisen is available to read on Viz Media, and the anime is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
