Satoru Gojo Has Been Holding Jujutsu Kaisen Back

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Satoru Gojo immediately became a fan favorite when Season 1 of the series premiered in October 2020. Introduced alongside the main character, Yuji Itadori, in the very first episode, Gojo is initially presented as a powerful, somewhat unpredictable figure hidden behind his blindfold. While revealing Itadori’s grim fate, it becomes clear that Itadori is the protagonist, but Gojo’s true purpose in the story isn’t immediately obvious – even in those first 58 seconds of the anime.

Honestly, it wasn’t until Episode 2 of JJK that we got to really see Gojo! He shows up right after Yuji eats Sukuna’s finger, and things get instantly intense. Watching him go head-to-head with Sukuna to figure out if Yuji can even control the curse… it really messes with the whole ‘good guy vs. bad guy’ thing. It’s amazing because Gojo is already established as the strongest sorcerer around, and now this kid, Itadori, is housing the strongest curse ever. Those first two episodes just put Gojo in the spotlight in a huge way, and honestly, he kind of stayed there for the rest of the first season, even up until he was sealed away!

Jujutsu Society Revolves Itself Entirely Around Satoru Gojo

Satoru Gojo often frustrates those in charge of the jujutsu world, but as the most powerful sorcerer currently alive—thanks to his unique abilities, the Six Eyes and Limitless—they ultimately depend on him. Jujutsu society relies on Gojo’s ability to handle dangerous threats independently, so they tolerate his difficult personality, overconfidence, and unusual approaches, even if they don’t like them.

From the beginning, Gojo uses his influence to postpone Itadori’s execution, persuading his superiors to let him handle the situation. However, it’s later, with Okkotsu’s case, that viewers truly see how much Gojo challenges those above him in rank. Like Itadori, Okkotsu is sentenced to death due to his connection with the powerful curse, Rika Orimoto. While we don’t see Gojo persuading the higher-ups about Yuji Itadori, we do see him directly threaten them to allow him to take care of Yuta Okkotsu.

Gojo’s superiors cautioned him that Yuta Okkotsu’s reprieve was only temporary. Gojo responded by making it clear he’d support Yuta, even against them, if they tried to carry out the execution – a clear warning that he wouldn’t tolerate any harm coming to his student. It’s obvious he’d offer the same protection to Yuji Itadori, and wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate if anything happened to him.

This establishes Satoru Gojo as a central figure in the world of jujutsu, and he remains a dominant presence throughout the first two seasons. Because both powerful curses and the higher-ups see him as the biggest obstacle to their goals, other characters don’t receive enough attention, making it hard to fully understand their development.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Took Gojo Out of Commission

The first five episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, titled “Hidden Inventory/Premature Death,” reveal the history of Satoru Gojo and his friendship with Suguru Geto, showing how things eventually fell apart. Episode 33 marks a turning point, as Gojo is removed from the action following a fierce fight in Shibuya Station. This leaves his students and other jujutsu sorcerers to face the rest of the Shibuya Incident on their own.

From that point forward, it became obvious that Gojo was the only thing keeping the jujutsu world stable. With him gone, Kenjaku’s plans began to unfold, and the entire jujutsu society started to fall apart. Cursed users who had been hiding emerged, free to act without Gojo to stop them. Many powerful sorcerers—friends and allies—were killed during the battle in Shibuya, all because Gojo was no longer there to maintain order.

Things fell apart quickly, and while Yuji Itadori has always been central to the story, he often lived in the shadow of Gojo. Recent episodes finally give him a chance to truly lead as he confronts his feelings and perseveres. However, neither Yuji nor Yuta Okkotsu could fully come into their own until Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen, specifically ‘The Culling Game: Part 1,’ because Gojo’s presence previously overshadowed them.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Officially Hands Itadori the Reins

After a thrilling 12 episodes, the third season of Jujutsu Kaisen has come to an end, and many fans agree it was the best season yet. While the Shibuya Incident was incredible, the Culling Game takes the story to an even higher level. With fans eagerly anticipating Season 4 in 2027, it’s clear that the first part of the Culling Game arc really shines now that Satoru Gojo isn’t the central focus.

Now that Itadori has fully accepted his place as the central character, he confidently takes the lead alongside Yuta Okkotsu. The Culling Game also allows other sorcerers to grow significantly. Without Gojo’s guidance, Maki Zen’in reaches her peak potential, and Yuki Tsukumo, a Special Grade Sorcerer, proves she’s just as powerful as Gojo himself.

While the students work to free Gojo from the Prison Realm, the challenges of the Culling Game push them to their limits. Unlike some anime that struggle when a popular character is absent, Jujutsu Kaisen is actually getting even better without Satoru Gojo. Once Gojo is finally released, it will become obvious – to him and everyone else – that his students have grown beyond his expectations, just as he always believed they would.

Now that it’s become obvious who the central characters in JJK truly are, Gojo’s role in the story is becoming less crucial. While it’s disappointing that such a powerful and important sorcerer isn’t as needed anymore, the series suggests exciting development for other characters, particularly Yuta and Yuji. Without Gojo, they’re forced to rise to the challenge and share the burden he carried alone for so long.

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2026-04-06 19:48