This article contains spoilers from the Jujutsu Kaisen manga.
Jujutsu Kaisen is officially back, but Yuji Itadori is nowhere in sight in the debut chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo. Fans are expecting to see Yuji back in action, but his status is still unknown, whether he is dead or alive. He’s not the main character anymore, with Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin’s grandchildren, Yuka and Tsurugi, replacing him at the center of the story.
Yuji Itadori is greatly missed by Jujutsu Kaisen fans and seeing him again in future chapters of Modulo will surely be a special treat. But before Gege Akutami could bring back Yuji Itadori, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen revealed that Yuji Itadori has a real-life model personally close to him, someone who inspired him to shape Yuji Itadori’s personality and attitude.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Akutami Kills Off Two Major JJK Characters In The Sequel
JJK just killed off two major characters, and fans are shocked.
Yuji Itadori Is a Gifted Main Character
Yuji Itadori’s Innate Talent Fuels His Fast Growth
- Most fans consider Yuji Itadori as the goat of Jujutsu Kaisen.
- Yuji Itadori is a prodigy.
Jujutsu Kaisen fans like to call Yuji Itadori the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of the series, especially after he ended Ryomen Sukuna’s reign of terror. But before fans dubbed him as the goat, series creator Gege Akutami gave him the moniker "The Tiger of West Junior High" due to his overwhelming physical abilities, from strength, speed, and reflexes to endurance that are far superior to ordinary humans.
Even before Yuji Itadori became a jujutsu sorcerer and a vessel of Ryomen Sukuna, he was already far beyond a normal human. His raw, beast-like talent without cursed energy made him a powerhouse at school. His record in the 50-meter dash is three seconds, not to mention he could throw a shot put like a baseball for more than 30 meters, overpowering adults effortlessly while still in junior high.
In other words, Yuji Itadori has always been good at sports and fighting. No wonder he quickly surpassed most Jujutsu sorcerers while containing Sukuna, as his natural talent on top of his relentless determination to protect others, pushed him beyond limits that only a few could reach. He is just built differently, with a body suited for extraordinary feats of strength, speed, and more.
Yuji Itadori’s Real-Life Model Is Gege Akutami’s Brother
Yuji Itadori Is the Complete Opposite of Gege Akutami
Yuji Itadori is the type of main character who’s full of life. He isn’t gloomy, brooding, or distant, even though there were times when he had to carry the burden alone. Still, Yuji can easily bring warmth to others, lifting their spirits with his humor and optimism. On top of that, he is good at everything he does, so much so that Gojo Satoru was even impressed by his ability to learn fast.
That said, Gege Akutami did not hesitate to revea l the real-life model he used for Yuji Itadori in an interview he had with Le Figaro back in November 2024. According to Gege, his brother was the inspiration behind Yuji Itadori. Just like Yuji, Gege’s brother is good at everything he does, someone who “succeeds in everything he undertakes,” whether it’s sports or even studies.
I Will Keep Killing Curses Till I Rust Away—Yuji Itadori
Gege Akutami also mentioned that his brother was the complete opposite of him, probably excelling in all areas where Gege would struggle, making him both admirable and enviable. Fans can easily see these character traits reflected in Yuji Itadori, who’s known as a prodigy in both body and spirit. This doesn’t mean Yuji is perfect, as he has flaws, doubts, and moments of fear like anyone else.
Gege Akutami Also Borrowed a Classmate’s Name for Yuji Itadori
The Origins of Yuji Itadori’s Name
With Yuji Itadori’s real-life model revealed, it’s the best opportunity to also talk about the origins of his name. In the official fan book of Jujutsu Kaisen released in March 2021 in Japan, Gege Akutami surprisingly revealed the origins of Yuji Itadori’s full name. As it turned out, his given name, Yuji, came from one of Gege Akutami’s classmates. His last name, Itadori, on the other hand, came from a medicinal plant.
Overall, Gege Akutami’s approach in creating and naming Yuji Itadori is both personal and thoughtful. By drawing inspiration from his brother and classmate, as well as from a medicinal plant, Gege created a memorable main character that carries traces of his own identity.
Source: Reddit
- Release Date
- October 3, 2020
- Network
- TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC
- Directors
- Ryohei Takeshita, Masataka Akai, Chie Nishizawa, Daisuke Tsukushi, Tomomi Kamiya, Kakushi Ifuku, Ken Takahashi
Cast
-
Junya EnokiYuji Itadori -
Yuichi NakamuraSatoru Gojo
WHERE TO WATCH
- Writers
- Hiroshi Seko
- Franchise(s)
- Jujutsu Kaisen
