Why Yuji Itadori’s life being a tragedy actually makes sense in Jujutsu Kaisen 

Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, might have given the worst possible life to his protagonist. In the modern shonen genre, we have seen that the main character in the end always gets a good ending. But things are different for Itadori Yuji, because even after he became incredibly strong and fought against some opponents who made him push past his limits. In the end, fans noted that it was Yuta who got the better conclusion to his story.

The creator did give Yuji an ability to not age, which was confirmed in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, but this has only made him miserable because he had to see everyone close to him die, but he gets to live on. That is why the fandom has been asking the same exhausted question: “Why does Gege hate him so much?” Every time the story pushes Yuji back on his feet, another cruel twist drops, like a friend dying, he suffers a new existential blow, or a curse from his past returns to torment him.

His life in the universe of Jujutsu Kaisen has officially crossed into full Greek-tragedy territory. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Yuji’s whole life being a tragedy actually makes sense, both narratively and symbolically. And yes, it also aligns disturbingly well with Gege’s own comments about not liking Yuji much.

Yuji was never written to win; he was written to carry something

From the very first chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji was not framed as a chosen one destined to triumph. He was a vessel, a container, an experiment that was not born from love but from manipulation. Kenjaku didn’t create Yuji to give him a future, as he was created to serve a purpose. That is why when fans say, “Gege hates Yuji,” what they’re really feeling is something deeper: Yuji’s story removes all illusions of shonen destiny.

His character never ended up making a big change in the world or becoming an inspiration to all. He did his part, and that was to end something, specifically Sukuna, and the story keeps pushing him toward that inevitable endpoint. Most shonen protagonists rise above their circumstances. Looking at the curveball constantly thrown at him, Yuji is crushed by it.

The tragedy fits his core theme in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen

Yuji’s story in Jujutsu Kaisen has always been one long interrogation of humanity, what it means to feel guilt, grief, responsibility, and love when your life is defined by curses. Unlike Gojo or Sukuna, Yuji has experienced human suffering and was forced to pull himself back up. That’s why Mahito is his true narrative enemy. This villain represents the cruelty of being alive, and Yuji represents the human spirit refusing to break. So now, when we know that he cannot age in Modulo, it’s not random cruelty. It reinforces the core theme of his characters.

Humans have to inevitably change, grow as people, and eventually face death. Our main protagonist from the original show cannot go through any of that. He is stuck in a body that refuses humanity, but a heart that can’t stop feeling it. His tragedy is not accidental; rather, it is the logical, painful extension of the story, asking what happens when a human is denied every human experience

Yuji’s lonely immortality is the final proof: he was built for tragedy

Yuji not aging in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo is brutal, but it also fits perfectly:

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• He watches everyone he loves die.
• He cannot fulfill his grandfather’s final wish.
• He isolates himself because pain has become his shadow.
• And his final purpose seems to be dying in battle against a stronger opponent.

His character is the strongest, and therefore the loneliest, just like Gojo and Sukuna. Unlike them, he never wanted power or fame. The only thing he ever wanted was a normal life, which he cannot have. In the end, his tragedy makes sense because he represents the cost of the jujutsu world. His suffering is the story’s message: Strength comes with loss. Humanity comes with pain. Purpose comes with sacrifice. And it’s exactly what makes Yuji Itadori one of shonen’s most powerful modern protagonists.

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