The hit shonen action series, Jujutsu Kaisen, is still going strong as a standout series from the Fall 2023 anime season. Jujutsu Kaisen is packed with excellent fight scenes, brutal horror elements, and more than a few fan-favorite characters. Jujutsu Kaisen, right from the beginning, draws in viewers with its wonderful characters, their engaging life stories, and it's only gotten better from there.
In broad strokes, the main cast of Jujutsu Kaisen all feel like stock shonen characters. There's the headstrong male lead and his squad mates, to his powerful mentor, his rivals, and some terrifying villains. Still, author Gege Akutami is careful to make the main characters of Jujutsu Kaisen more than basic clichés -- they are fascinating and emotionally resonant fictional characters who make the most of their general archetypes to become something more.
10 Kokichi "Mechamaru" Muta Slightly Redeems Himself In His Last Fight
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Grade 3
Kokichi Muta, who usually goes by the name Mechamaru, makes his debut in Jujutsu Kaisen's sister school tournament arc as an unfriendly rival to Yuji and his classmates. At the time, it wasn't easy to like Mechamaru as a main cast member given his antagonistic ways. However, his return early on in the Shibuya Incident arc features some major improvements for the character.
Mechamaru is still understandably bitter about his lot in life, but he's also ready to fight for real and do some actual good in the world. Mechamaru climbs his way up the ladder of Jujutsu Kaisen characters by allowing Mahito to heal him, only to then fight Mahito with his giant robot as he tries to save the day. Mechamaru fails and meets a tragic end, but he concludes his arc as a hero and a worthwhile Jujutsu Kaisen character, after all.
9 Megumi Fushiguro Hasn't Yet Become Yuji's Best Friend/Rival
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Grade 2
The first episode of Jujutsu Kaisen introduces Megumi Fushiguro as the Sasuke Uchiha for a new generation of shonen anime. Megumi is an edgy, dark-haired boy who takes himself rather seriously, like Sasuke before him, but Megumi is no traitor. Megumi remains loyal to his school and friends, which makes him fairly likable.
So far, Megumi hasn't been a standout star in Jujutsu Kaisen. He feels a bit monotonous as a dark, serious character who lets his actions do the talking. Even so, it's still fun to watch Megumi's annoyed reactions when his friends, Yuji and Nobara, tease him between missions.
8 Toge Inumaki Is a Gimmick, But A Fun One
Jujutsu Sorcerer: Semi-Grade 1
Toge Inumaki, for the most part, feels like a gimmicky main character in Jujutsu Kaisen. This is because Toge's actions and personality are largely centered around his unusual speech. His cursed technique can easily get out of control, so Toge safely expresses himself with safe words, like sushi ingredients.
This unique limitation keeps Toge from being a top-tier Jujutsu Kaisen character. However, Toge is still likable and entertaining to watch. Most importantly, Toge's broad style isn't just for laughs -- Jujutsu Kaisen makes it clear that Toge's speech-based cursed technique is a dangerous burden, which adds some weight to his otherwise silly character.
7 Panda Has A Sympathetic & Intriguing Backstory As Yaga's "Son"
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Semi-Grade 2
Like his classmate Toge, Jujutsu Kaisen's Panda seems like a silly gag character upon his initial appearance. Panda is indeed a talking panda who uses cursed techniques in combat, but also proves himself to be far more than a gimmick. Panda happens to be principal Masamichi Yaga's created "son," which means everything to him, for both better and for worse.
Panda slightly struggles with his own identity and place in the world, which is why he relates to Mechamaru during their intense, emotionally charged duel. Panda doesn't like Mechamaru's attitude, but to his credit, Panda still tries to build a bond with his enemy. This leaves Panda better equipped to take the high road in battle. If nothing else, it's also impressive to watch Panda use his savage combat Gorilla form whenever he gets serious. He's easily one of Yuji's most eclectic cursed companions.
6 Mahito Is An Unnerving Villain Who's Cruel, Weird, & Funny All At Once
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Special Grade
Some anime supervillains are memorable because they're pure evil, such as My Hero Academia's All For One or the Six Paths of Pain from Naruto. However, other anime villains are great characters because they add uncanny humor to their design. Mahito is one such villain, who's as much of a playful joker as he is a cruel monster.
This duality makes Mahito feel like two people in one. He can switch between those modes with eerie swiftness, depending on his erratic mood. Mahito also creates immense stakes for the heroes due to his agenda to rid the world of humanity so that only curses, which are supposedly superior, can comfortably rule the globe.
5 Maki Zenin Is Inspiring Because She Will Prove Everyone Wrong
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Grade 4
Maki Zenin is one of those anime characters who must fight without the usual superpowers that bless the rest of the main characters, similar to Mash Burnedead in Mashle or Asta in Black Clover. Maki has no cursed power of her own, so she uses cursed glasses and weapons to see and fight curses alongside more conventional jujutsu sorcerers like Panda and Toge.
Maki is a cool, inspirational Jujutsu Kaisen main character because of her unshakable faith in herself and her mission to prove that everyone else has been wrong to underestimate her. Maki's traditional jujutsu clan scorns female sorcerers, but as a girl with no powers, she's determined to prove them wrong on all levels. It's a stressful burden for Maki, but one that she never lets corrupt her. Maki remains steadfast and stern, but is always a good person.
4 Kento Nanami Is the More Cynical Satoru Gojo
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Grade 1
Jujutsu Kaisen's Satoru Gojo and Kento Nanami are treated like complementary counterparts in the anime. They're both smart, experienced jujutsu sorcerers in their late 20s who often support and coach the teenage main character heroes. Kento, unlike the carefree Satoru, is a bitter and jaded sorcerer who feels despair about both sorcery and mainstream office work.
Despite his cynical ways, Kento still dedicates himself to fighting curses and saving the day. This makes Kento a fascinating anomaly who both does his job, but also inhernetly doubts its value. Kento also causes amazement in Jujutsu Kaisen with his 7/3 fighting style, which allows him to take on even Mahito and survive.
3 Satoru Gojo Makes OP Characters Cooler Than Ever
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Special Grade
Some overpowered anime characters are compelling despite the lack of tension in most of their fights, such as Saitama in One-Punch Man or My Hero Academia's All Might. Satoru Gojo, on the other hand, comes along and makes all other overpowered anime characters seem less cool thanks to his overwhelmingly charming personality and intriguing powers.
Satoru Gojo doesn't just punch hard to win. Gojo harnesses the power of infinity, which allows him to pull off dazzling feats in combat and escape any enemy attack unscathed, even when he tangles with deadly Special Grade curses. Jujutsu Kaisen fans also love Satoru's playful prankster side, which keeps him down to earth and takes the edge off his sheer cockiness.
2 Nobara Kugisaki Sets A New Standard For Shonen Girls
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Grade 3
Jujutsu Kaisen fans love Nobara Kugisaki for both who she is and what she represents for batlte shonen anime as a whole. Nobara reflects the next phase of shonen heroines as she reinforces these archetypes to be far more than token love interests or simple fan service eye candy. Shonen girls can and must be just as deep, complex, and engaging as their male counterparts. Nobara shows everyone that this is easy to achieve and how it's done.
As a person, Nobara holds up well as a delightful tsundere and a vital part of Yuji's main trio of shonen heroes. She is tough, smart, loyal, and has a solid sense of humor without making a total joke of herself. She formed an excellent comedic duo with Yuji, acting like his foster sister while pranking an unsuspecting Megumi with him.
1 Yuji Itadori Has Perfected the Shonen Protagonist Formula
Jujutsu Sorcerer Grade: Special Grade
Jujutsu Kaisen's protagonist, Yuji Itadori, checks off all the boxes for a shonen main character, but does so in such a way that he remain highly compelling, rather than generic. Yuji's secret is that he refines the familiar shonen hero formula in order to carefully balance all of its elements, all while he keeps Jujutsu Kaisen fans impressed through his excellent fight scenes against curses and jujutsu sorcerers alike.
Yuji follows the "overnight hero" concept, except the heroes' higher-ups want him dead for this newfound power. This creates unusual and serious stakes that hang over Yuji's head for the entirety of Jujutsu Kaisen. Yuji is also goofy and friendly without annoying his audience or creating scenarios that make them cringe. That being said, Yuji is no stranger to a serious and scary demeanor, albeit without ever being too edgy or brutal about it. Yuji's light and dark side are in perfect sync, which is why Jujutsu Kaisen is all about.
