Where Are the Parents in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Summary

JJK lacks parental figures; the present ones are toxic or deeply troubled.
Gojo mentors Itadori, Fushigoro, and Okkotsu as a surrogate parent.
Jujutsu High faculty guides students, helping them self-actualize.

As a former high school teacher myself, I find this analysis of Jujutsu High’s faculty and their impact on students incredibly insightful. It resonates deeply with my own experiences, having seen firsthand the profound effect teachers can have on shaping young minds. The parallels between the fictional world of jujutsu and real-life education are undeniable.

As an observer, I seldom come across the parents of students at Jujutsu High, a peculiarity that stands out given the significance of lineage and ancestral cursed techniques among the prominent Three Families in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen. Interestingly, some of the parent characters within this series exhibit toxic and neglectful behaviors, a stark contrast to the focus on bloodlines within the narrative.

At Jujutsu High, the teachers significantly step in to fill the void left by the missing caregivers in JJK. This theme becomes particularly poignant when we consider that first-year students at Tokyo Jujutsu High are either orphans or alienated from their families. The relationships formed between Jujutsu High’s students and teachers underscore the crucial impact teachers have on shaping their students into responsible adults.

Parents Are Mostly Absent in Jujutsu Kaisen

The Few Present Parents Are Poor Role Models

In the series Jujutsu Kaisen, there aren’t many parent figures present. Those that do appear are either absent from the screen or have minor roles. At the start of the anime, Yuji’s grandfather, who plays a significant role in his life, passes away. Characters occasionally refer to Nobara’s grandmother, but she is never shown onscreen.

In some cases, there are parents who may be physically present, but their influence is unhealthy or harmful. A prime example of such a toxic parental figure in JJK is Toji Fushigoro, who deserts his two children and sells one of them – Megumi – into slavery with the Zenin clan. From Megumi’s perspective, Toji is essentially a stranger.

In the final family of JJK, these current parents face numerous challenges, yet they strive diligently for their children’s well-being. While they may display imperfections that could raise some concerns (symbolized by a beige flag), their love for their kids remains unwavering. For instance, Nagi Yoshino cherishes her son, Junpei deeply. Her excitement is palpable when Junpei introduces a new friend, Yuji, to the household, and she warmly welcomes him at dinner. Notably, Junpei shares with Yuji that he and his mother share a strong bond.

Sadly, Nagi is experiencing a challenging divorce from Junpei’s dad. She deals with this stress by drinking alcohol and even losing consciousness during a meal with Yuji. Moreover, Nagi relies heavily on Junpei to shoulder most of the emotional weight in their relationship. As a result, Junpei often conceals the bullying he experiences to shield Nagi from distressing feelings.

Gojo Takes in Itadori, Fushigoro, and Okkotso

He Vigorously Advocates for Them Behind Closed Doors

At Tokyo Jujutsu High School, Satoru Gojo assumes an unexpected role in shaping his students’ lives. Contrary to his larger-than-life image and self-centered tendencies, he takes on responsibilities when parents are absent. In essence, Gojo effectively adopts Yuji Itadori following the young man’s grandfather’s demise. Moreover, it was only through Gojo’s timely intervention that Itadori escaped death at the hands of the Jujutsu Council.

Furthermore, we have Megumi. After taking the life of Toji Fushigoro, Gojo frequently checks up on Megumi and Tsumiki, who are now orphans, and provides them with financial assistance. Additionally, he works out a deal with the Zenin clan to cancel their agreement concerning Megumi. Lastly, there’s Yuta Okkotsu. This young man was close to ending his life when he first met Gojo. Fortunately, Gojo guided Yuta in finding a sense of purpose by demonstrating how his curse could serve as a beneficial instrument instead.

On certain occasions, Gojo displays an innate sense of paternal care. A clear illustration of this can be seen during the second day of the Kyoto Sister-School Goodwill Event. Following a disastrous first day marked by underhanded actions, the students from Jujutsu High are drained physically, emotionally, and mentally. The faculty was almost inclined to call off the event, concluding the competition on a melancholic note. However, Gojo urged Yaga and Gakuganji to persist with the event. Yet, the clever teacher had a surprise up his sleeve.

Typically, the second day of the Goodwill Event involves multiple one-on-one sorcerer battles, but given the present circumstances, it seems inappropriate. Fortunately, Gojo intervenes, performing a magic trick by picking a jar containing Day Two challenges and drawing out a slip for the contest: Baseball. This could be seen as a nod to fans, but it certainly advances the plot. In this instance, Gojo demonstrates his emotional intelligence and compassion, understanding that their future is bleak and offering them a chance to be children, even if just for a day. The world of jujutsu is filled with moral ambiguity, often justifying harsh tactics or premature maturity among the students. Gojo aspires for more than that for his pupils, and that speaks volumes.

Jujutsu High Teachers Mentor and Support Their Students

Their Guidance Enables Pupils to Self-Actualize

High school is a pivotal moment in a young person’s life. Teenagers discover their values and goals and how their actions impact the world around them—all while navigating the torrential growing pains of puberty. They are incredibly vulnerable individuals, and how adults interact with them can make or break their future. Jujutsu High’s faculty features enigmatic personalities. Some are rebellious rabble-rousers, like Gojo. Others are more pragmatic, like Kento Nanami. Then there are the skilled but ethically questionable teachers, like Mei Mei. They’re all flawed individuals, but they do what they can to develop Jujutsu High’s young minds into the guardians of the future.

Although Megumi initially dislikes Gojo, the unorthodox teacher has a profound impact on the reserved prodigy. A conversation between them, where Gojo encourages Megumi to let go of his inhibitions, eventually leads to a breakthrough that allows Megumi to perform domain expansion for the first time. Meanwhile, Maki studies at Jujutsu High amidst the prejudice from the Zenin clan. If some traditional sorcerers had their way, Maki would be stuck as a Grade 4 sorcerer indefinitely. However, Mei Mei, who has transformed her underestimated cursed technique into a valuable asset as a Grade 1 tool, recognizes Maki’s potential and advocates for her promotion.

Kento Nanami guides his pupils through personal example. Though he harbors disdain for the jujutsu realm and its impact on sorcerers, he continues to train out of a sense of obligation towards others. His unwavering spirit motivates Yuji to persevere, even when Mahito and Sukuna subject the tormented youth to extreme stress during the Shibuya Incident. Teachers at Jujutsu High don’t stand aloof on pedestals; they are not necessarily superior to students’ biological family members. Instead, they illustrate the importance of a quality educator in shaping a student’s growth into maturity. Sometimes, an enthusiastic teacher lays the groundwork for a newfound family among students who lack support, thereby sparking profound transformation.

2024-12-15 21:35