Shonen Jump’s Hottest New-Gen Hero Carries Trauma No Other Can Match

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Shonen Jump and the action series it publishes often follow a similar pattern. A key strength of these stories is their heroes, who usually start with big dreams. However, it’s common to find that these heroes are defined by a difficult past or a major, life-changing event. Many shonen protagonists, like Naruto whose parents made the ultimate sacrifice for him, have tragic backstories that heavily influence their journey.

Many stories feature heroes dealing with the loss of loved ones, which shapes their adventures. While most shonen anime protagonists experience some form of trauma, the main character of Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji Itadori, faces a uniquely haunting one. The anime’s second season, specifically the Shibuya Incident arc, showed Yuji being possessed by Sukuna, who then committed terrible acts. Yuji carries the immense guilt of these murders, a burden unlike any other shonen hero, and this trauma continues to be a central theme in the series.

Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Itadori Yuji Is the New-Gen Shonen Hero With Unparalleled Trauma

The latest episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 show Yuji facing a difficult situation during his fight with Higuruma. He’s falsely accused of the mass murder that happened in Shibuya, and surprisingly, he takes responsibility. Yuji knows admitting guilt will cause him to lose the fight, but he does it anyway. This is especially shocking because he was unconscious and had no control over his actions during the events in Shibuya. Despite being a victim himself, Yuji feels immense guilt for the tragedy and is willing to accept any punishment, even death, for something he didn’t consciously do.

This scene really shows how Yuji is a different kind of hero, one with a unique sense of right and wrong. Despite everything terrible he’s been through, he keeps moving forward, proving just how resilient he is. He doesn’t see himself as special, but as just one part of a larger fight, which makes him feel more relatable than many other heroes. He’s faced immense loss, losing close friends like Nobara and Nanami, not just once, but twice. This makes Yuji stand out as a modern shonen hero who has experienced an extraordinary amount of trauma, and his down-to-earth values make him a perfect protagonist for today’s audience.

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2026-03-06 23:10