Summary
Jujutsu Kaisen excels at exploring deep relationships between characters with meaningful connections behind every moment. The friendship of Aoi Todo and Itadori Yuji challenges stereotypes of masculine friendship, rooted in vulnerability, trust, and shared growth. The series presents a positive model of masculinity and friendship, focusing on genuine love and care rather than dominance and competition.
Jujutsu Kaisen is a gem among contemporary shōnen, in part because of the depth of the relationships between the characters. For example, the connection between Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto illustrates some of the series' main themes. In Jujutsu Kaisen, when a relationship is given time to develop, one can be sure that there is a meaning behind the times given. However, for me, one of the most meaningful relationships is the one between Aoi Todo and Itadori Yujipeople who challenge entrenched notions of male friendship.
Originally rivals, Todo and Yuji met at the Kyoto Goodwill Event. Todo is a student of the Kyoto Witch School who came to Tokyo so that students from the two schools could meet and test their skills against each otherThe event also serves as a way to reintroduce Yuji to the main cast, as well as introduce Mahito, who claims to be competing with Yuji, Sukuna's vessel.
Todo's performance is convincing with irony and sincerity.
Despite being a silly character, Todo still acts very witty and softens the hearts of those around him.
The opening line to the friendship between Todo and Yuji might be divisive for many fans. Todo asks his rival what their romantic “type” is and answers accordingly. On one hand, this is certainly objective, but on the other hand, it’s a fact of life that people come in different types and can bond with each other. To me, this is really interesting in two other ways.
First, Todo has some pretty open ways: when he asks Megumi out, he adds that if Megumi likes men, then “that’s fine too.” This could be interpreted as homophobic comedy, but I think it also reflects Todo’s sincerity. Todo legalindifferent to the interests of the opponentand he had no intention of making a judgment; what he cared about was whether his interests were aligned with his opponent's.
Second, in turn, is it emphasizing the quirky nature of his relationship with Yuji. Yuji responds by saying that his “type” is “tall girls with big butts”: which is also Todo’s type. In response, Todo completely flips the switch in his favor, immediately declaring them best friends. In many ways, this reminds me of my own male friendships: a shared interest that nothing else creates a lasting unity. While Todo is played as a “himbo,” it also hides a kind of innocence and simplicity. Friendship softens Yuji and brings some of his best moments.
This is related to Todo's Love for Idol Nobuko Takada. While it fits Todo’s “himbo” narrative of having a silly “girly” hobby, it realistically illustrates how men can have hobbies they’re insecure about. In my case, one of my best friends in high school was a diehard Lego fan, which was considered an “uncool” hobby at the time, and still is to this day. My respect for their hobbies is one of the reasons we bonded. Todo exemplifies positive masculinity by express your preferences without feeling insecure, even the “uninteresting” things.
Todo and Yuji show rare sincerity
Their care for each other transcends even the most difficult situations.
The unlikely friendship between Todo and Yuji blossoms into a deep and genuine care, and a very intuitive understanding of each other, that anchors some of Jujutsu Kaisen's most intense matches. However, to get to that point, it's important to acknowledge how Todo and Yuji will help each other. As Yuji struggles to find his footing as a jujutsu mage, Todo is willing to help him improve and teach him the Black Flash technique That marked his style for the rest of the series.
A mutual trust quickly emerged, and Todo and Yuji established a deep bond over each other's abilities as mages. Todo's teleportation technique, Boogie Woogie, won several battles alongside Yuji as the two disappeared in unexpected ways, leaving their enemies disoriented. His willingness to trust Yuji resulted in Todo losing an arm and disappearing, which he not complaining for a minute.
This friendship and comradeship allows them to take down enemies that would otherwise be unfightable. The first major example is Mahito, whom the two managed to take down even after Mahito went on a rampage. brutally killed countless witches and other civilians. Without revealing too much about the series after the anime ends, Todo's unexpected return also plays a decisive role in one of the series' ongoing conflicts, helping to revive Yuji, restore his faith, and provide crucial combat support.
Todo and Yuji show a different type of male companionship
The couple serves as a vehicle for Jujutsu Kaisen to show another way for men to connect.
I think there is something truly valuable here that we can emulate: a manhood that is not focused on domination and oppression but on genuine love and care for one another.
Jujutsu Kaisen is perhaps best known for the way it masterfully challenges the stereotypes commonly found in shonen. While rival or comrade friendships are common in shonen, Todo and Yuji's particular approach is different. In a way, it shows a very positive model formasculinity and friendship between men. No matter how complicated the plot gets, or whatever philosophical arguments about “authenticity” arise after Todo is implanted with positive memories of Yuji, the sincere core of their friendship remains.
Their mutual trust is the backbone of the series from the moment Yuji and Todo meet and plays a key role in resolving some of the series' biggest conflicts. At the same time, it happens without any jealousy or competition, and more confusingly, it happens without any real reason. A random arrangement of interests brings the pair together. Moving forward, they help each other become stronger and constantly encourage each other. In addition to supporting each other in battle, The emotional support that Todo gives Yuji is very important..
For me and for male audiences, I think there's something really valuable here that we can emulate: a masculinity that's not about domination and oppression but about genuine love and care for one another.Odo and Yuji offers a model for masculine friendship based on vulnerability, trust, and shared growth. The honesty that Jujutsu Kaisen Its ability to present this perspective is what makes it unparalleled.
