Why Yuji Itadori Feels Like a Side Character in His Own Story

If you’ve been following Jujutsu Kaisen from the beginning, you might have noticed something strange: the supposed main character, Yuji Itadori, often feels like he’s not at the center of the story. While Yuji kicks off the series and plays a big part in some major fights, it’s usually characters like Gojo Satoru, Megumi Fushiguro, or even Yuta Okkotsu who steal the spotlight.

But what if we told you this wasn’t an accident? What if Yuji was never supposed to be the main character at all?

That’s exactly what series creator Gege Akutami revealed. And once you know the behind-the-scenes truth, everything about Yuji’s role starts to make a lot more sense.

Yuji Wasn’t Meant to Be the Star

In the Jujutsu Kaisen prototype, Jujutsu Sousen, Gege originally planned for Megumi Fushiguro to be the main character. In fact, it was Megumi who was supposed to be Sukuna’s vessel not Yuji. That would’ve changed the story completely. Imagine Sukuna having access to Mahoraga from the beginning! Gojo and the others would’ve been in serious trouble right from the start.

In the prototype, Yuji wasn’t cut out of the story, he just wasn’t the focus. He still had a similar background with his grandfather and was present alongside Megumi during key events. But he was more of a side character, not the emotional core of the narrative.

Eventually, Gege scrapped this version of the story. He felt the prototype was “too boring” with Megumi as the lead and decided to shift the focus to Yuji instead. The final version of Jujutsu Kaisen that we all know and love today is the result of that change.

But even after becoming the protagonist, Yuji never fully took over the spotlight.

A “Universal” Hero by Design

In a 2024 Jujutsu Kaisen exhibition, Gege Akutami gave more insight into why Yuji often feels like he fades into the background. He explained that he made Yuji a “universal protagonist”, a kind of blank canvas that other characters could shine around.

Yuji is intentionally bland, Gege said, not because he lacks depth, but because his simplicity allows the story to move forward without overcomplicating his motivations. He doesn’t need an elaborate reason to save someone. He just does it and that’s what makes him both relatable and forgettable at the same time.

According to Gege, Yuji’s versatility made him easy to fit into a shonen story, but it also came with an exchange: readers might not feel emotionally connected to his actions. He could be everywhere, yet still not leave a strong impression. That’s the downside of being a “universal” protagonist in a world filled with flashy, emotionally charged characters.

Why Megumi and Yuta Often Outshine Yuji?

When you think of Jujutsu Kaisen’s most dramatic and emotional arcs, Yuji isn’t always front and center. The Shibuya Incident, for example, might have had big moments for Yuji, but Gojo’s absence and Sukuna’s rampage often overshadowed him. Meanwhile, Megumi had complex emotional ties to his sister Tsumiki and eventually became Sukuna’s new vessel, stealing a huge chunk of narrative weight.

Then there’s Yuta Okkotsu, the star of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Some fans even preferred him over Yuji, praising his unique backstory and emotional depth. While Yuji was learning to punch harder, Yuta was dealing with love, grief, and curses in deeply personal ways. And even though he appeared in just a prequel and later in the main story, Yuta still managed to be more memorable to many fans.

The Existential Weight Yuji Carries

But Yuji isn’t just a placeholder hero. His story may seem simple on the surface, but there’s something deeply human about his journey. His whole motivation begins with the death of his grandfather, who tells him to help people and live a life that matters. That idea of a “meaningful death” haunts Yuji throughout the series.

Yuji isn’t chasing power, revenge, or some ultimate goal. He’s trying to find meaning in a world where people die horribly and without reason. During Sukuna’s massacre in Shibuya, Yuji realizes it’s not just about how people die, but how meaningless it can all feel. And yet, instead of shutting down, he keeps going. He keeps fighting, not because he’s the strongest or the chosen one, but because it’s the right thing to do.

This makes Yuji different from other shonen protagonists. He’s not the loudest, the strongest, or even the most interesting. But he’s there, holding everything together, giving the story its emotional spine even when he’s not in the spotlight.

A Protagonist for a Complicated Generation

In today’s world, where everyone feels pressure to be special or find deep meaning in everything, Yuji represents a different kind of hero. He’s okay with not having all the answers. He’s okay with just doing his best. And maybe that’s what makes him the perfect protagonist for our time.

Yuji’s lack of a dramatic destiny or overwhelming power isn’t a flaw, it’s what makes him real. In a story filled with jujutsu prodigies, walking disasters, and cursed kings, Yuji is just a kind, strong-willed guy trying to protect others and make sense of life. That quiet strength is easy to miss, but hard not to admire once you notice it.

Conclusion: The Quiet Hero Who Holds It All Together

So, why does it feel like Yuji isn’t the star of his own show? Because, in many ways, he was never meant to be. From the early drafts of Jujutsu Kaisen to the latest epilogue, Yuji has always been the character who lets others shine. But that doesn’t mean he’s any less important.

Yuji might not always stand in the spotlight, but he’s the reason the spotlight exists in the first place. Without him, the story would collapse under the weight of its own curses, power systems, and tragic heroes.

And maybe that’s what makes Yuji Itadori one of the greatest shonen protagonists of all time, not because he stands out, but because he holds everything together.

Want More Jujutsu Kaisen?

Catch up with the anime on Crunchyroll and read the complete manga series on Manga Plus. Trust us, Yuji’s journey is one you won’t forget, even if he’s not always the loudest in the room.