In the hit shounen anime Jujutsu Kaisen, the heroes, and even the villains, improve as fighters and grow personality-wise. As the plot develops, so do these characters, and sometimes it’s because of a character’s growth that the plot changes. The story has fans patiently waiting on the edge of their seats to see how much more these beloved characters will change and be changed.
Though there are many moments of character development throughout the series so far, only a handful of moments have great importance both for the characters themselves and for the plot. Whether it’s pushing the story forward or building up the main character, these moments of development continuously reshape this thrilling series.
10 Yuji Deciding To Eat Sukuna’s Finger Was The First Major Action Within The Series
At first, the idea of eating one of Sukuna Ryoumen’s fingers repulsed Yuji, but the moment he saw his friends in danger that failed to matter. Only thinking about gaining the power to save those dear to him, Yuji swallowed the cursed object, attaining immense power.
The decision not only reveals Yuji’s conviction towards saving those in danger but also pushes the plot forward. It was the move that started it all, and without it, chances are that Yuji wouldn’t have lived to tell the tale.
9 Yuji Shows His Bravery As He Faces The Special Grade By Himself
On their very first mission as Jujutsu Sorcerers, first years Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara are tasked with rescuing inmates at a prison where a Special Grade curse is growing fast. Assistant Manager Ijichi leaves the young sorcerers with the warning, “If you come into contact with the Special Grade, run or die.”
The trio winds up biting off more than they can chew in the prison and upon seeing no other option, Yuji decides that he alone will face the Special Grade curse so his friends can escape with their lives. Yuji swiftly realizes he’s no match for the Special Grade, but in spite of his emotional breakdown, faces the enemy head-on.
8 When Megumi Confesses Why He Spared Yuji, He Reveals An Ugly Truth About the Jujutsu Sorcerers
On their first mission, Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara are tasked with rescuing inmates from a Special Grade curse, but they arrive too late. With Yuji and Megumi bickering about their differing opinions on who should be saved, the question arises as to why Megumi wanted Yuji’s life spared early on in the series.
Megumi isn’t given the chance to answer, since the special grade attacks them and the trio is split. But when he realizes that Yuji is going to die, he confesses that he simply couldn’t bear to watch another good person die if he could help. This scene also comes after a glimpse into Megumi’s past, another story layer to be told. More than that, his distinction of “I’m not a hero. I’m a Jujutsu Sorcerer” illuminates the truth about the harsh path that they walk on.
7 Gojo’s Challenge To Principal Gakuganji Adds A Layer To The Story And Worldbuilding
Early on, the audience is given a mere glimpse of how Gojo-sensei thinks further ahead than others. But, for the most part, his recklessness and overbearing humor are more apparent. His plan to use Yuji as a vessel to contain Sukuna and eventually destroy them both is only one of his many twisted plans towards a better future.
When Gojo confronts Principal Gakuganji of Jujutsu High’s Kyoto campus, he threatens the old man with the knowledge that powers, both from their enemies and allies, are growing far beyond the conservatives’ control. The scene also gives a bit of development to the Principal himself, revealing his own hidden devious side.
6 Sukuna’s Decision To Reject Mahito Puts A Huge Dent Into The Villains’ Plans
With all the main villains finally introduced, their plan of attack comes to fruition starting with the curse Mahito’s manipulation. The villains’ plan is to bring Sukuna onto their side to give them a boost of power, and Mahito’s way of doing that is through the innocent highschooler Junpei who befriends Yuji.
After killing Junpei, angering Yuji, Mahito reaches out to Sukuna’s soul. The two had already shared a hearty laugh at Yuji’s expense, so it already seemed as though Mahito’s plan would succeed. Surprisingly enough, Sukuna immediately rejects Mahito, showing little interest in his cause. He even tries to kill Mahito for unintentionally touching his soul a second time.
5 The Truth Behind Mai And Maki’s Relationship Shows The Internal Struggle Within Sorcerer Families
In the Kyoto Goodwill Event arc, viewers delve into the world of Jujutsu Sorcerers learning about the layout of the school and the other students. The biggest revelation when it comes to the students is that Tokyo’s second year Maki is the twin sister to Kyoto’s second year Mai, and their muddled relationship is all because of family pressure.
Within the society of Jujutsu Sorcerers, there are three main families, with Maki and Mai’s being one of them. When they were little, the sisters supported each other, but that all changed when Maki left the family. Being born without any cursed energy, Maki was always mistreated, so by leaving the family she aims to become a great sorcerer to spite them all.
4 Nobara’s Rejection Of The Ideal Female Sorcerer Is Another Step Towards Changing The Twisted Society
During the Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc, one-on-one battles ensue between the Tokyo and Kyoto students, which gave the first years, Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara a chance to show their mettle. In her fight with Kyoto student Momo, Nobara was forced to listen to a lecture on the pressures of being a female sorcerer and how “perfect” women have to be.
Nobara rejects Momo’s ideals, exclaiming how she won’t be driving herself crazy to achieve such impossible standards. Forging her own path, Nobara states “I love myself when I’m being strong.” This was Nobara’s first battle completely on her own, and she won on her own terms.
3 Yuji Learns His Most Powerful Move In His Battle Against Hanami
The situation for the heroes went from bad to worse during the Kyoto Goodwill Event arc when the villains stepped in and trapped the first and second years. Megumi and Noritoshi’s battle is interrupted when the curse Hanami attacks them. The combating students then join forces and fight against the curse to no avail.
When it looks as though Hanami is about to win, Yuji and Todo arrive just in time to save the day. Though Yuji had shown his brute strength in his fight with Mahito, the battle with Hanami is the first where he shows off his immense control of cursed energy with the move Black Flash.
2 Megumi Finally Accepting Help From Yuji And Nobara Establishes The Trio As Teammates
For most of the series, Megumi is more of a lonesome character with a hidden tragic backstory. He’s the type to keep his emotions in check and rarely asks for any help, so when he finally opens up about saving his sister from a curse threatening his hometown it’s a huge step for him.
Thanks to Yuji and Nobara’s persistent meddling, Megumi had the backup he needed to help him exorcise the curses that appeared that night. The establishment of their strong friendship also meant that they finally unified as a force to be reckoned with and that they’d support one another no matter how daunting the challenge would become.
1 The Curse Siblings’ Cries Show That There’s More To Curses Than Murderous Intent
At the beginning of the series, curses appeared to be mindless murderers who ought to be destroyed without a second thought. As the series progressed, the necessity to destroy them was still clear, however, there was more to them than the Jujutsu Sorcerers initially thought.
Curses like Mahito and Hanami, who possess deep thought and reason behind their movements, are still threats to peace for human beings, however, when the curse siblings Kechizu, Eso, and Choso were introduced, it added another dimension to curses. In their battle against Yuji and Nobara, Kechisu and Eso revealed humanity within them seldom shown by curses. The elder curse Eso cried over the loss of Kechisu, a painful sight for Yuji to see, but was subsequently destroyed soon after.