In the gripping narrative of Jujutsu Kaisen, the journey of every sorcerer is marred by personal sacrifice. These characters endure a multitude of trials—both physical and emotional—that leave indelible scars and haunting memories. The harsh world they inhabit demands relentless sacrifices, often overshadowing their victories.
The series powerfully highlights the varied experiences of pain and loss among its characters. Some face catastrophic losses, while others persist in their struggles until they are all but depleted. Tragically, a few never even get the chance to realize their dreams or fulfill their potential.
This article delves into ten of the most tormented characters in Jujutsu Kaisen, exploring their profound suffering and the impact it has on their journeys.
10. Nobara Kugisaki
The Rose That Bloomed Too Briefly
Nobara exudes an unwavering confidence, characterized by her fiery spirit and refusal to be pitied, even as the specter of death threatens her existence. During the Shibuya Incident, a surprise attack from Mahito leaves her fatally injured, leading her to reflect on cherished moments from her past with friends Saori and Fumi. As she faces despair, her courage shines through as she maintains her smile.
While her ultimate fate remains ambiguous, her potential demise can be viewed not as a tragedy of death but of her life—a constant battle against loneliness masked by sharp humor. In a ruthless world, she stood her ground, showcasing the strength of the human spirit.
9. Riko Amanai
The Girl Who Wanted to Live
Riko is a poignant example of a character designed by Gege Akutami to evoke deep empathy. Her life as the Star Plasma Vessel was a cruel twist of fate, foretelling a future of sacrifice rather than personal fulfillment. Despite the inevitability of merging with Master Tengen, Riko radiated optimism, capturing the hearts of even cynical characters like Gojo and Geto.
The heart-wrenching moment arises when, after tasting normalcy, she rebels against her fate. Her desire to experience life—attending school, making friends—was starkly cut short by Toji’s assassination, an act that altered the trajectories of several characters, including Geto, ushering in some of the darkest times in Jujutsu Kaisen.
8. Junpei Yoshino
The Broken Bird
Junpei’s journey highlights the tragic evolution from victim to unwitting participant in evil. A bullied outsider, he seeks solace in movies, only to fall prey to Mahito’s manipulation. Initially feeling empowered through a cursed technique, his rise is tragically brief. When Mahito distorts his very being, Junpei’s cry for redemption turns into a harrowing end, showcasing the steep consequences of his agony.
His brief flicker of hope is extinguished just as he yearns for a fresh start, further underscoring the series’ exploration of lost potential.
7. Choso
The Eldest Brother Who Was Never Truly Human
Choso, a Cursed Womb: Death Painting No.1, is ironically more family-oriented than any of his siblings. Despite being created solely for vengeance—following the slaughter of six of his siblings—the shocking potential for a familial bond is triggered during his encounter with Yuji. Although these memories are fabricated, they grant Choso an unexpected purpose: to protect his “younger brother.”
His struggle is less about fighting foes and more about reconciling the lies of his existence, making his quest deeply tragic as he fights not just for survival, but for his right to be a part of something greater than himself.
6. Megumi Fushiguro
The Pawn of Everyone’s Plans
Megumi’s existence is shadowed by loss and manipulation. Orphaned early, he was sold to the Zen’in clan, where his potential became a commodity in jujutsu politics. Gojo’s mentorship provided him with some light, but the arrival of Sukuna cast a long shadow. During the Culling Game, Sukuna’s takeover of Megumi’s body is a brutal violation, stripping away the young sorcerer’s agency and leading to unspeakable grief.
Once a protector, Megumi finds himself trapped, a puppet in a game of larger forces beyond his control.
5. Toji Fushiguro
The Man Who Sold His Name
Toji’s life reflects profound themes of identity and loss. Cast aside by the Zen’in clan due to his lack of cursed energy, he became a mercenary, finding his strength in physical prowess alone. This transformation led to a life steeped in bloodshed, earning him a fearsome reputation as the Sorcerer Killer. Yet, beneath this violent exterior lies a father striving for redemption through the naming of his son, Megumi.
Toji’s dual deaths—first at the hands of Gojo and later through resurrection—culminate in an uneasy peace where he finally acknowledges his son’s future, showcasing the tragic layers of his character.
4. Nanami Kento
The Salaryman Who Chose the Battlefield
In a world of sorcery, Nanami initially sought comfort in the mundane life of a salaryman. Yet, the harshness of that reality drew him back to the battlefield, fighting not out of desire but out of necessity. During the Shibuya Incident, he sustained horrific injuries but remained steadfast, directing efforts to protect others while his body deteriorated. His demise, cruelly orchestrated by Mahito, encapsulated the harsh truth that many sorcerers face: death is often unceremonious.
3. Yuji Itadori
The Boy Who Carried Everyone’s Pain
Yuji’s life dramatically shifts the moment he ingests Sukuna’s finger, seeking to protect his friends. From that point onward, he becomes burdened with the pain of others—guilt from murders he never wanted to commit, including Junpei’s death and the atrocities during the Shibuya Incident. His resilience is not rooted in fearlessness but in a deep sense of responsibility to fight for those who can no longer do so.
As losses accumulate, Yuji’s internal struggle intensifies, forcing audiences to consider the true cost of his smile—how much remains untouched by his burdens.
2. Gentile
The Strongest, But Never Free
Gojo’s immense power isolates him within a realm of loneliness. Gifted with the Six Eyes and Limitless technique, he is both revered and burdened. His closest friendship with Geto enhances his isolation, culminating in a heartbreaking betrayal that reshapes his life and perspective. Gojo becomes not only the strongest sorcerer but a solitary figure, forced to mold a new generation capable of defending themselves.
His entrapment in the Prison Realm signifies much more than a strategic loss; it represents a psychological ordeal where he endures the weight of his failures and unyielding expectations. Even in his climactic battle against Sukuna, the realization that his strength may not suffice further deepens the melancholy of his character.
1. Suguru Geto
The Idealist Who Became His Own Worst Enemy
Geto’s transformation represents the ultimate tragic fall in Jujutsu Kaisen. Initially, he was a protector intent on safeguarding those unable to defend themselves. However, witnessing Riko’s death and subsequent events catalyzed a drastic shift in his ideology, leading to a chilling acceptance of violence against non-sorcerers. His journey illustrates the bitter consequences of a disillusioned idealist.
Emblematic of his internal turmoil, Geto’s cursed technique signifies the struggle between his desire for power and haunting realizations about humanity’s flaws. The tragic incident involving Mimiko and Nanako reveals the depth of his pain and the rationale behind his horrifying decisions, illustrating that his love did not vanish—it merely warped into justification for mass cruelty.
Ultimately, Geto’s demise at Gojo’s hands and the subsequent manipulation of his identity by Kenjaku highlight the profound erosion of his essence, reflecting the catastrophic impact of lost faith in humanity.
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