Jujutsu Kaisen: How Hidden Inventory Shaped Gojo, Explained

Summary

Gojo’s youth mindset revolved around strength, believing power dictated all actions.
Riko Amanai’s death pushed Gojo to mentor the next generation for a better future.
Geto’s shift towards destruction made Gojo choose to reshape the jujutsu world through education.

Gojo Satoru debuted in Jujutsu Kaisen as a sorcerer who appeared invincible, both physically and in terms of demeanor. His arrogance was unmistakable, yet he had an undeniable charm that captured fans’ attention. There was a certain aloofness about him that they found appealing.

In the storyline of Jujutsu Kaisen, Gojo didn’t always embody the calm and wise mentor we see now. To follow Gojo’s transformation, one cannot overlook the mirrored journey of Suguru Geto, his former friend turned foe. As youngsters, they were constantly together, but following the Hidden Inventory Arc, their lives took starkly contrasting turns—Gojo chose to cultivate future generations, while Geto opted for destruction. Their paths diverged significantly due to Riko Amanai’s demise and the revelation that the jujutsu world was more corrupted than either of them had previously perceived.

Gojo’s Mindset Before The Hidden Inventory Arc

Strength Above All

In his youth, Gojo’s perspective on life was straightforward – sorcerers were meant to perform their duties. With his exceptional skills, he believed himself and Geto to be the greatest, destined to carry out tasks as directed. His actions lacked a profound philosophical basis, showing little concern for the future of sorcery or humanity. He viewed his role as a job, and he excelled at it more than anyone else. This mindset isn’t unexpected from a boy who was constantly reminded of his uniqueness.

I’m tired of being careful of weak people.

— Gojo to Geto over their basketball game

While Geto held strong moral beliefs centered around shielding the vulnerable, Gojo embarked on missions with a self-assured demeanor that bordered on indifference. He wasn’t malicious, yet his overconfidence went unbridled. To him, power was the decisive factor in all matters. The stronger an individual, the more freedom they had to act as they wished. Conversely, the weaker an individual was, their destiny was either to be safeguarded or cast aside if required. This perspective laid the groundwork for Gojo’s early life, but the Hidden Inventory Arc would ultimately challenge and shatter it.

How The Star Plasma Mission Changed Gojo’s Outlook On Jujutsu Society

In the storyline known as the Hidden Inventory Arc, Gojo and Geto found themselves tasked with safeguarding Riko Amanai and leading her to unite with Master Tengen. Initially, this mission appeared routine, but it ultimately resulted in a sad turn of events. Typically, Gojo might have been more distraught about botching his assignment (perhaps for the first time) than Riko’s demise. However, their bond with Riko had grown stronger after spending time together on vacation. Although he tried to hide it, Gojo had begun to view her as a friend, and the two frequently engaged in friendly banter.

Following her demise, Gojo’s initial response was an overwhelming fury. In the wake of this turmoil, he fully unleashed his capabilities, attaining a level of mastery over his powers that cemented his status as the most powerful. However, his strength alone could not reverse what had transpired. The responsibility for protecting Riko, even from Tengen, was shared by Gojo and Geto, and they had fallen short in this duty.

As an onlooker, I witnessed the Time Vessel Association, comprised of ordinary individuals, commemorate a passing, viewing it as a triumph. This instance struck a chord within Gojo and Geto, but their reactions were starkly contrasting.

The Breaking Point of Suguru Geto

In Geto’s perspective, sorcerers existed to safeguard ordinary people, despite his personal belief that they were less powerful. However, the Hidden Inventory Arc opened his eyes to a harsh truth: not every non-sorcerer deserved protection.

It’s essential that we ensure the safety of the vulnerable and maintain balance by controlling the powerful. In essence, much like jujutsu is meant for protecting those without its knowledge, so should our society function.

— Geto in Hidden Inventory Arc

The Time Vessel Association consistently clashed with the established norms of jujutsu, unaware of the true consequences of Tengen’s transformation. They held little regard for sorcerers, failing to appreciate their selfless deeds. Instead, they viewed them as hindrances to their misguided beliefs. This initial doubt was sown in Geto’s mind – if those who were not sorcerers could be so shortsighted as to actively oppose those safeguarding them, were they deserving of salvation?

The persistent question troubling Geto found its answer in a tiny village, where two gifted sorceresses, Mimiko and Nanako, endured mistreatment at the hands of those they were meant to guard. It was here that Geto reached his limit. In his mind, ordinary people weren’t merely uninformed; they were a nuisance. He concluded that the world could only be saved if all non-sorcerers were eliminated, leaving behind sorcerers and curses alone. At least curses recognized the pecking order of power.

Regardless of others’ opinions, I genuinely dislike those monkey-like creatures. However, I’ve never felt aversion towards the characters from Jujutsu High.

— Geto in Jujutsu Kaisen 0

As Gojo began to sense trouble, it had already escalated beyond a point where he could intervene effectively. When their confrontation ensued, Gojo found himself caught off guard. Geto, who had previously served as Gojo’s moral compass and guidelines enforcer, was the one setting the rules of engagement. The moment Geto started discarding everything they once valued together felt like a sudden loss of support beneath his feet.

Gojo’s Response to Geto’s Fallout: A Shift in Purpose

Due to Geto’s downfall, Gojo was compelled to reassess all aspects of his life. While his friend had surrendered to darkness, Gojo resolutely chose a different path. In fact, he took an extraordinary step: he completely overhauled his priorities.

For the first time, Gojo committed fully to shaping the future. The heartbreaking incident of Hidden Inventory revealed to him that the jujutsu system was inherently flawed. Merely being powerful wasn’t enough; he needed to instill strength in the upcoming generations too. By nurturing suitable disciples, maybe they could bring about change from within. This marked the beginning of Gojo as a teacher and mentor, guiding Yuji, Megumi, and Yuta in their future endeavors.

Instead of restructuring this flawed Jujutsu realm by brutally eliminating those in power, who would merely be replaced, I’ve decided to focus on education. I require strong and intellectually capable allies to nurture and empower. This approach offers a more sustainable solution for change, as it encourages growth rather than violence, which isn’t supported by the masses.

— Gojo

His overbearing pride persisted, yet metamorphosed. While he still believed himself to be the most powerful, this conviction now served a purpose greater than himself. Rather than using his strength to maintain the status quo in the martial arts realm, he aimed to redefine and transform it.

Gojo’s choice to teach wasn’t just about making powerful sorcerers; it was about cultivating independent thinkers, those who wouldn’t be bound by traditional ways. He aimed for students who could blaze a new trail, one where incidents like Riko’s demise and Geto’s descent wouldn’t reoccur.

2025-03-11 18:28