Yuji Itadori, the beating heart of Jujutsu Kaisen, begins his arduous journey into the world of curses and sorcery as a 15-year-old high school student. This seemingly ordinary teenager from Sendai is suddenly thrust into an extraordinary destiny, becoming the vessel for the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna, after a fateful encounter. His age at the series' onset marks him as a young protagonist, but his rapid growth, immense power, and profound emotional maturity quickly set him apart, making his chronological age almost secondary to his development. If you're curious about , this hub will guide you through his compelling story.
From his initial, innocent desire to help others – a promise made to his dying grandfather – to enduring unimaginable trauma and facing off against the most terrifying Cursed Spirits, Yuji’s journey is one of relentless evolution. He transforms from a naive, physically gifted student into a formidable Jujutsu Sorcerer, carrying the weight of the world on his young shoulders.

The Core Question: How Old Is Yuji Itadori When Jujutsu Kaisen Begins?

At the very start of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga and anime, Yuji Itadori is established as being 15 years old. He is a first-year student at Sugisawa Municipal High School before his life takes a drastic turn. His age is a crucial baseline for understanding his initial naivety, his impressive capacity for growth, and the sheer burden placed upon a teenager forced to confront horrifying realities.
While his exact birthdate isn't heavily emphasized within the main narrative, knowing his starting age provides context for his youthful exuberance and his evolving worldview. For those eager to , we have a dedicated guide that explores all available information. Beyond his years, Yuji quickly demonstrates a resilience and moral compass that many adults would envy, proving that age is just a number when it comes to inner strength. His iconic voice also plays a massive role in shaping this persona; you can and their incredible performances in our detailed breakdown.

Yuji's Journey Through Jujutsu Kaisen: Age and Evolution

Yuji's time in Jujutsu Kaisen isn't static; his experiences rapidly age him in ways no typical 15 or 16-year-old should endure. The series covers a significant period, though specific time jumps are often ambiguous, suggesting he likely progresses to 16 and possibly 17 by the manga's later arcs. Each major event, from joining Tokyo Jujutsu High to the climactic battles, molds his character and capabilities.

From Ordinary Teen to Sukuna's Vessel

After consuming one of Sukuna's cursed fingers to save Megumi Fushiguro, Yuji's life irrevocably changes. He enrolls in Tokyo Jujutsu High under the mentorship of Satoru Gojo, befriending classmates Megumi and Nobara Kugisaki. Early in his sorcerer career, he even experiences a temporary death and revival by Sukuna himself, a pivotal event that binds them even further. For , our pillar explains the terrifying circumstances and its lasting impact.
This initial phase sees Yuji grappling with his new reality, showcasing his inherent kindness and immense physical prowess, which Gojo recognizes as having the potential to surpass even himself. The intricate dynamics of form the backbone of his existence, constantly challenging his will and moral boundaries.

The Shibuya Incident and Its Traumatic Toll

The Shibuya Incident arc serves as a brutal turning point for Yuji, marking a rapid and traumatic maturation. Witnessing Sukuna's devastating massacre while in control of his body, alongside the deaths of beloved allies like Kento Nanami and Nobara Kugisaki, inflicts deep psychological scars. This period forces Yuji to confront the true horrors of the jujutsu world and the devastating consequences of his connection to Sukuna.
The trauma he endures, combined with shocking revelations about his lineage – discovering that the Cursed Spirit Choso is his older brother and that the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku is his "mother" – adds layers of complexity to his identity. These revelations push Yuji to question everything he knows, accelerating his personal growth far beyond his chronological age. The sheer weight of these events undoubtedly makes him "older" in spirit and experience. You can see as visual testament to his grueling journey.

The Culling Games and Beyond

Following Shibuya, Yuji finds himself hunted, his death faked by Yuta Okkotsu, only to then participate in the high-stakes Culling Games. This arc continues his forced evolution, pushing his abilities and resolve to their limits as he fights for survival and the future of the jujutsu world. Each battle and strategic decision further hones his skills and steel his resolve, showcasing a maturity well beyond his years.

Beyond His Years: Yuji's Unmatched Physicality and Cursed Energy Prowess

Despite his young age, Yuji Itadori is a physical anomaly. His natural superhuman strength, durability, and speed are unparalleled, allowing him to perform feats like running 50 meters in just 3 seconds. These attributes make him a formidable hand-to-hand combatant, further enhanced by his mastery of Taido Martial Arts, which grants him advanced moves like the Knee Release and Manji Kick. If you're wondering and other physical traits, our dedicated article delves into the specifics.

Mastering Cursed Energy: From Divergent Fist to Domain Expansion

Yuji's growth in Cursed Energy manipulation is equally astounding. Initially, his primary Cursed Technique was the Divergent Fist, a unique ability where his cursed energy lands a delayed second impact after a physical strike. He also frequently utilizes Black Flash, a critical hit that amplifies a strike's power 2.5 times when cursed energy is applied within 0.000001 seconds of impact, which he has used an impressive eighteen times in the manga. For , our specialized guide has the numbers.
His journey of acquiring new techniques is incredibly rapid, especially for someone so young:

  • Blood Manipulation: After consuming Cursed Womb: Death Paintings, Yuji gains access to Blood Manipulation, a powerful technique allowing him to use abilities like Piercing Blood.
  • Shrine (Mizushi): He later awakens Sukuna's innate technique, Shrine, enabling him to cut anything he touches along marked lines, including the lethal Dismantle.
  • Advanced Techniques in a Month: Demonstrating his exceptional talent, Yuji learned Reverse Cursed Technique (RCT) for healing, the New Shadow Style: Simple Domain to counter Domain Expansions, and even developed his own Domain Expansion, Hometown Domain, all within a single month of intense training.
    These advancements solidify his status as one of the most promising sorcerers of his generation. For and , explore our comprehensive guides that break down every facet of his combat prowess.

The Heart of a Sorcerer: Relationships, Family, and Motivation

At his core, Yuji is driven by a profound sense of empathy and a desire to help others, a motivation rooted in his grandfather's dying wish. This compassionate nature, even amidst the brutal world of jujutsu, defines his character.

The Bonds That Drive Him: Friends, Mentors, and Rivals

Yuji's relationships are central to his character development. His bond with Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki forms the iconic first-year trio, while Satoru Gojo acts as his primary mentor. He also forms an unlikely "brotherly" bond with Aoi Todo, who inspires much of Yuji's growth as a fighter. These connections provide him with strength, purpose, and, at times, immense sorrow. To understand the depth of his character, explores his kindness, resilience, and unwavering resolve.

Unraveling His Past: Parents and Brotherhood

One of the most shocking revelations for Yuji, and for readers, concerns his lineage. He learns that the Cursed Spirit Choso is his older brother, and that the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku inhabited his "mother," Kaori Itadori, and orchestrated his birth. This deeply personal discovery adds another layer to his already complex identity, further cementing his unique place in the jujutsu world. To , our dedicated pillar unravels these intricate family ties and their implications.

The Question of Romance

While Yuji is surrounded by strong, interesting characters, romance is not a central theme in his personal narrative within Jujutsu Kaisen. His focus remains squarely on his mission and protecting his friends, leaving little room for romantic entanglements. However, fans often speculate about his potential connections. If you're curious about , our article explores fan theories and the possibilities within the series.

Yuji's Enduring Legacy in Jujutsu Kaisen and Beyond

Gege Akutami was inspired by Naruto Uzumaki's relationship with Kurama for the Yuji-Sukuna dynamic, hinting at Yuji's significance as a modern shōnen protagonist. His first name, Yuji, means "abundant, help, and brave," perfectly encapsulating his character. His surname, Itadori, comes from Japanese knotweed, a plant used in traditional medicine to relieve pain – a fitting name for someone who constantly bears and tries to alleviate the pain of others.
Critics have widely praised Yuji's character development, highlighting how he subverts typical shōnen tropes with his unwavering empathy and the emotional toll his journey takes. He is a testament to resilience, kindness, and the extraordinary potential that can emerge from the most unlikely of individuals, regardless of their age.

The Future of the Boy Who Swallowed a Curse

Yuji Itadori's journey is far from over, and with each passing chapter and episode, he continues to defy expectations. His age at the beginning of Jujutsu Kaisen is merely a starting point for a character who rapidly matures, not just in power but in emotional depth and resolve. As the story progresses, Yuji embodies the profound impact of responsibility, trauma, and unwavering compassion, solidifying his place as a truly iconic figure in contemporary manga and anime. His path forward is fraught with peril, but his spirit remains unyielding, a beacon of humanity in a world consumed by curses.