Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Opens Up About the Real-Life Model for Yuji Itadori

by

This article contains spoilers from the Jujutsu Kaisen manga.

The latest installment of *Jujutsu Kaisen* has begun, titled *Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo*, but fans won’t find Yuji Itadori in the first chapter. While everyone anticipates his return, it’s still unclear if he’s alive or not. The story now focuses on new characters: Yuta Okkotsu and the grandchildren of Maki Zenin, Yuka and Tsurugi, taking the lead.

Fans of *Jujutsu Kaisen* are eagerly awaiting the return of Yuji Itadori, and his reappearance in future chapters of the *Modulo* arc will be a welcome sight. Before bringing Yuji back, creator Gege Akutami shared that the character was inspired by a real person – someone close to him who shaped Yuji’s personality and how he acts.

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.

Many Jujutsu Kaisen fans consider Yuji Itadori the best character in the series, particularly after he defeated Ryomen Sukuna. However, before fans started calling him the greatest, the series creator, Gege Akutami, nicknamed him “The Tiger of West Junior High.” This name came about because Yuji possesses incredible physical strength, speed, reflexes, and stamina – all far beyond what a normal person is capable of.

Before Yuji Itadori gained cursed energy and became a jujutsu sorcerer, he was already an incredibly gifted athlete. Even without any supernatural abilities, he was remarkably strong and fast. In fact, he ran the 50-meter dash in just three seconds and could throw a shot put over 30 meters – easily outperforming adults while still in middle school.

Yuji Itadori has always been a natural athlete and fighter. This explains why he quickly became stronger than many trained Jujutsu sorcerers, even while controlling the powerful Sukuna. His inherent talent, combined with his unwavering dedication to protecting people, allowed him to achieve incredible things. Simply put, he’s exceptionally gifted physically, possessing the strength, speed, and endurance to do what others can’t.

Yuji Itadori’s Real-Life Model Is Gege Akutami’s Brother

Yuji Itadori Is the Complete Opposite of Gege Akutami

Yuji Itadori is a vibrant and energetic protagonist. Despite facing hardships on his own, he remains cheerful and positive, easily brightening the days of those around him with his humor and optimistic attitude. He’s also a quick learner and naturally talented at everything he tries, which even surprised the powerful Gojo Satoru.

In a November 2024 interview with Le Figaro, Gege Akutami shared the inspiration behind the character Yuji Itadori: his own brother. Akutami explained that, like Yuji, his brother excels at everything he tries, consistently succeeding in both sports and academics.

I Will Keep Killing Curses Till I Rust Away—Yuji Itadori

Gege Akutami has said his brother was naturally gifted at everything Gege found difficult, making him someone to look up to but also feel a little envious of. Many fans see similarities between this brother and the character Yuji Itadori, who quickly becomes skilled in both physical and spiritual abilities. However, Yuji isn’t flawless – he still experiences doubts and fear, just like any other person.

Gege Akutami Also Borrowed a Classmate’s Name for Yuji Itadori

The Origins of Yuji Itadori’s Name

Now that the actor portraying Yuji Itadori has been revealed, it’s a good time to discuss the story behind his name. According to Jujutsu Kaisen’s official fan book, released in Japan in March 2021, creator Gege Akutami shared that Yuji’s first name came from a classmate of theirs. His family name, Itadori, was inspired by a type of medicinal plant.

Gege Akutami clearly put a lot of personal thought into creating Yuji Itadori. He based the character on people he knew – his brother and a classmate – and even took inspiration from a medicinal plant. This combination resulted in a memorable protagonist with subtle connections to Akutami’s own life.

Read More

2025-09-20 14:36