10 best anime characters like Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen

Yuji Itadori is the main protagonist of the popular anime series Jujutsu Kaisen. He is an energetic, determined, yet kind-hearted high school student who eats the Cursed Finger of Ryomen Sukuna to save his friends, transforming himself into a vessel to contain the evil Cursed Spirit within his own body.

Yuji's selfless personality, fighting spirit, and sheer strength of will in battling Cursed Spirits have made him a hugely beloved character amongst anime fans worldwide. For those who adore Yuji Itadori and want similar anime characters, here are 10 fantastic suggestions to check out.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any particular order.

Naruto Uzumaki, Ichigo Kurosaki, and 8 anime characters like Yuji Itadori

1. Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

Much like Yuji Itadori, Tanjiro Kamado is a brave, compassionate, and fiercely determined young protagonist with a tragic family past. However, he develops incredible supernatural fighting powers to protect those he loves.

After his family is killed and his sister Nezuko becomes a Demon, Tanjiro sets out on a quest to defeat the Demons and find a cure for Nezuko. His kind spirit, strong morals, and frequent funny mishaps mirror many of Yuji's endearing traits.

While Yuji becomes the "Vessel" protecting the world from the evil Ryomen Sukuna, Tanjiro takes up the mantle of the "Demon Slayer," wielding his famed Nichirin Blade with unique Sun Breathing techniques in epic battle scenes that rival Yuji and Sukuna's fights against deadly Cursed Spirits.

2. Izuku "Deku" Midoriya from My Hero Academia

Fans may see shades of a nerdy and quirky pre-Sukuna Yuji Itadori in Izuku Midoriya from My Hero Academia. Though born without superpowers called 'Quirks,' Izuku has a tremendous fighting spirit and an unwavering desire to become a superhero to protect others.

He inherits the legendary Quirk 'One For All' from his childhood idol, All Might. He begins attending U.A. High, battling villains using this amazing new power alongside developing his own unique strategies and techniques.

Like Yuji, who gained immense physical strength and Cursed Energy by eating the Cursed Finger to fight monsters, Izuku received the gift of near-limitless strength from All Might. This enables him to pursue his heroic dreams of fighting evil, no matter the odds, while trying to master control over his new abilities.

3. Gon Freecss from Hunter x Hunter

Gon from Hunter x Hunter matches several of Yuji Itadori's qualities: unwavering conviction, selflessness to protect others, open-mindedness towards villains' perspectives, and tremendous natural talent to fight and solve problems.

With his superhuman physical gifts, masterful energy control, and lightning-fast learning ability similar to Yuji after consuming Sukuna's finger, Gon is considered a prodigy combatant and brilliant battle strategizer amongst the elite Hunters of HxH.

Gon overcomes long odds, villains with even greater experience/power, and challenging psychological mind games - much like Yuji against the lethal Cursed Spirits and moral complexities in Jujutsu Kaisen.

4. Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

The determined, hot-headed, justice-loving Edward Elric contains many similarities to Yuji Itadori in terms of personality and character growth throughout the series. Starting as skilled, confident teenagers dabbling in dangerous mystic arts, both Edward and Yuji have their fates intertwined with powerful supernatural entities (Sukuna & Truth) that affect their futures.

Bonding their disembodied souls to battle-ready armored bodies to contain the chaotic forces now inhabiting them, Yuji and Edward set off on perilous journeys to understand better the immense mystic powers governing reality itself.

Along the way, they demonstrate courageous self-sacrifice to protect others from harm, overcome deep psychological trauma, and forge unbreakable bonds by fighting alongside close allies with complementary powers.

5. Yusuke Urameshi from Yu Yu Hakusho

The street-smart punk Yusuke Urameshi shares key traits with Yuji Itadori: fierce loyalty to friends, harnessing supernatural power after dying unexpectedly, innate combat talent requiring quick thinking, and growth from reckless teen to responsible adult protecting society.

Instead of inhabiting/manipulating Cursed Energy, Yusuke becomes Earth's Underworld Detective, gaining unique Spirit Energy powers after being revived. Yusuke must strike a delicate balance in controlling the supernatural chaos within him. He also initially struggles to adjust to the hidden Spirit World dynamics revolving around him, much like Yuji navigates Jujutsu sorcery politics.

6. Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach

If devouring Sukuna's Cursed Finger radically transformed Yuji Itadori's fate overnight, then meeting the mysterious Rukia Kuchiki similarly turned Ichigo Kurosaki's world upside down by awakening the teenager's latent Soul Reaper (Shinigami) powers in Bleach.

Thrust onto the frontlines protecting the Living World from murderous Lost Souls, Ichigo also contends with his inner Hollow attempting to consume his very soul. This echoes Yuji's traumatic bonding with the fearsome Cursed Spirit Ryomen Sukuna. Both Ichigo and Yuji beautifully showcase battle Shonen protagonists' soulful compassion and courage when faced with unspeakable horrors.

7. Naruto Uzumaki from Naruto

Naruto Uzumaki, the loudmouth orange jumpsuit-clad Ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village, contains more than his fair share of parallels with Jujutsu's courageous hero, Yuji Itadori.

Both energetic Shonen protagonists start off as relative underdogs looked down upon by their peers for the dangerous powers contained within them (Kurama the Nine-Tailed Fox Seal & Ryomen Sukuna's Curse, respectively).

Yet through immense determination and creativity applying their unique abilities, Yuji and Naruto gradually earn deep respect - becoming beloved protectors against the darkness plaguing society. They inspire allies with their selfless teamwork and flexible battle tactics when confronting overpowered enemies.

8. Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece

Monkey D. Luffy (Image via Toei Animation)

Sailing the high seas in search of the ultimate treasure to become King of the Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy shares Yuji Itadori's idealistic dreams, unwavering loyalty towards friends, incredible fighting instincts, and penchant for attracting trouble wherever he goes!

After accidentally eating the Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, Luffy likewise gained immense physical strength coupled with a body capable of stretching like rubber to combat enemies creatively - not unlike Yuji tapping into demonic power after consuming Ryomen Sukuna's Cursed Finger.

Fans of one hot-blooded Shonen protagonist jumping recklessly into the action to protect their cherished comrades would certainly appreciate the other's compelling journey spread across sea and sorcery-filled lands!

9. Asta from Black Clover

In terms of vocal intensity, heroism, and fighting spirit, Asta feels like Yuji Itadori's long-lost brother. Born without magical power in a world of magic, Asta chases his dream to become the Magic Emperor through physical ability, swordplay mastery, and a never-say-die attitude, mirroring Yuji's resolve.

After bonding with the Anti-Magic Devil in his Five-Leaf Grimoire, Asta gains raw power to combat magical foes, similar to Yuji contracting with Sukuna.

Fiercely loyal, able to inspire hope when facing impossible stakes, backed by steadfast comrades balancing out their brashness - Yuji and Asta showcase tremendous hearts in their quests to quell evil and bring justice to a world filled with supernatural threats lurking in plain sight.

10. Shinichi Izumi from Parasyte: The Maxim

Much like Yuji Itadori's life changes after his fusion with the Cursed Spirit Sukuna, Shinichi Izumi's peaceful existence shatters when the parasitic alien Migi replaces his right hand. Together, they must co-exist and battle Migi's murderous species invading Earth to harvest humans.

This uneasy human/monster partnership and the ensuing dangerous battles against supernatural foes mirror Yuji's tentative bond with Sukuna to combat Cursed Spirits threatening humanity in Jujutsu Kaisen.

Both Shinichi and Yuji Itadori must walk an uneasy tightrope, struggling to maintain their fundamental humanity when forced to tap into monstrous strength. Their journeys of coming to terms with horrifying transformations while fighting to protect society should greatly appeal to fans of either series.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Yuji Itadori has quickly become one of anime's most beloved new-generation battle Shonen protagonists known for selfless heroism, immense inner strength in the face of unspeakable horrors, and unwavering loyalty toward friends.

As seen through characters like Tanjiro Kamado, Izuku Midoriya, Edward Elric, Yusuke Urameshi, Ichigo Kurosaki, Naruto Uzumaki, Monkey D. Luffy, and Asta, Yuji contains shades of numerous iconic anime heroes who inspire others with their compassion, conviction, and refusal to ever give up against all odds.

For fans desiring more fierce yet fun-loving fighters like the courageous star of Jujutsu Kaisen, be sure to check out these fantastic battle Shonen anime classics led by characters containing plenty of parallels with Yuji Itadori!