5 Anime main characters who are better written than Yuji Itadori (& 5 who can’t be compared)

Yuji Itadori is the main character in the popular anime series Jujutsu Kaisen. He is a high school student who unexpectedly becomes a powerful jujutsu sorcerer, capable of combating dangerous curses.

Throughout the series, Yuji faces immense challenges, heartbreaking losses, and intense battles against formidable curses. His character resonates with fans due to his relatable nature and the profound, complex development of his personality as the story unfolds.

While Yuji is undeniably a well-written and compelling protagonist, the anime world is vast and contains many other characters who are arguably superior than him in terms of their character writing. These characters may have more intricate backstories, face greater internal conflicts, or leave a more profound and lasting impact on viewers.

At the same time, there are also popular characters who, despite their unique traits and fan appeal, do not quite match the level of depth and quality in their writing when compared to Yuji Itadori's character development and portrayal.

5 anime main characters better written than Yuji Itadori

1) Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)

Spike Spiegel (Image via Sunrise Studio)

Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop is better developed than Yuji Itadori due to his complex past, which he fails to escape, making him a deeply layered character. The show explores Spike's history, his relationship with his former partner, Jet Black, and the inner struggles that shape his view of the world.

Spike's personality, which blends cynicism and idealism, as well as his profound outlook, make him a fan favorite character. In addition, his ability to navigate the morally ambiguous world of bounty hunting makes him more compelling than Yuji Itadori.

2) Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)

Eren Yeager, the main character in the Attack on Titan series, experiences profound transformations throughout the story. Unlike Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen, whose character follows a more straightforward path, Eren's journey is marked by greater complexity and depth.

Initially, Eren was portrayed as a determined and passionate young man driven by a desire for revenge against the monstrous Titans who mercilessly devoured his mother before his eyes. However, as the narrative progresses, Eren's character undergoes a metamorphosis that reflects the harsh realities of the war he finds himself caught in.

In the anime, Eren evolves from an impulsive and hotheaded youth into a morally conflicted figure grappling with the weight of his actions and the ethical dilemmas that confront him.

3) Hyakkimaru (Dororo)

Hyakkimaru from Dororo was born without 48 body parts. His life journey is about getting those missing parts back and finding his true self. The story explores Hyakkimaru's struggle to regain his stolen body parts as well as his relationship with Dororo, the young girl who aids him.

Hyakkimaru develops both emotionally and psychologically as the narrative goes on. Owing to his nuanced outlook, he deals with issues of identity, morality, and what it means to be human, which leads to a deeper character development than Yuji Itadori's portrayal.

4) Shinji Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

In Neon Genesis Evangelion, Shinji Ikari, unlike Yuji Itadori, is not a typical heroic character. He struggles with self-doubt, emotional issues, and feelings of loneliness. The show delves deeply into Shinji's mind while also examining his difficult relationship with his father, his search for purpose, and how he deals with life's harsh realities.

Shinji's character journey is a powerful look at the human experience. This makes him a more complex and psychologically interesting main character than Yuji Itadori.

5) Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)

Lelouch Lamperouge (Image via Sunrise Studio)

Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass is not only extremely intelligent but also morally multifaceted. Unlike Yuji Itadori, who wants to do the right thing, Lelouch's motivations are complicated by nature. He wants to overthrow the oppressive Britannian Empire and create a better world for his sister Nunnally.

Lelouch's story explores the line between being a hero and a villain. Compared to Yuji Itadori, he is a more interesting main character because the show delves deeply into his decision-making process, which is rife with dubious motives, relationships with other characters, and significant consequences of his actions.

5 anime main characters that cannot be compared to Yuji Itadori

1) Kamado Tanjiro (Demon Slayer)

Kamado Tanjiro (Image via Studio Ufotable)

Kamado Tanjiro from Demon Slayer is quite different from Yuji Itadori, the lead in Jujutsu Kaisen. Both have strong values and want to safeguard loved ones. Tanjiro's driving force is finding a cure to reverse his sister Nezuko's transformation into a demon, a goal that sets him on a vastly different journey than Yuji, whose mission centers on containing the powerful cursed spirit Sukuna.

Tanjiro's character growth underscores familial bonds, forgiveness, and the pursuit of healing, fundamentally distinct from Yuji's more introspective and heroic arc. But Yuji's psychological wounds are more recent and fresh because he lost mentors Nanami and Gojo in addition to a host of other characters, including his friend Nobara. This makes his journey to defeat Sukuna more interesting and makes him a better-written main character.

2) Kirito (Sword Art Online)

Kirito and Yuji Itadori are distinctly different characters. Comparing these two leads is tricky since their worlds and goals vary greatly. Kirito's quest takes place inside a virtual reality game where death is real and escape is the aim—to reunite with loved ones.

However, Yuji's battles with cursed spirits in the real world, combined with his personal loss, make him a better main character. Although Kirito's story is shaped by his talents as a gamer and swordsman, Yuji's development stems from his understanding of the Jujutsu realm and his own sense of duty. He is a far more tragic character than Kirito because of the deaths of his friends and mentor along the way.

3) Yukiteru Amano (Future Diary)

Yukiteru Amano, the main character in the anime Future Diary, is quite unlike Yuji Itadori. At first, Yukiteru is shy and quiet. However, he undergoes a significant transformation when forced into a deadly survival game. As the story progresses, Yukiteru changes from a withdrawn individual to someone willing to do whatever it takes to survive.

The themes explored in Future Diary are distinct from Yuji Itadori's more straightforward heroic journey. Yuji's story follows a more traditional path of personal growth and overcoming challenges, where he begins as a naive person but constantly has to adapt and change his morality throughout the series, making him a more endearing character to anime fans.

4) Alucard (Hellsing)

Alucard, the vampire protagonist from the Hellsing anime, is a complex character with mysterious motives. The Hellsing series delves into Alucard's past, his ties to the Hellsing Organization, and the extent of his supernatural abilities.

While Alucard is extremely powerful, he is morally ambiguous, unlike traditional heroic protagonists. Yuji Itadori, on the other hand, is motivated by a strong sense of justice and responsibility. Yuji's goals are straightforward, but Alucard's allegiances and motivations are unclear. Thus, Jujutsu Kaisen's clear, character-driven approach sets Yuji apart and makes him a more well-developed character than Alucard.

5) Violet Evergarden (Violet Evergarden)

Violet Evergarden (Image via Kyoto Animation)

Violet Evergarden was a child soldier who experienced terrible trauma and loss. She struggled to understand emotions because she had to shut them off during her time as a soldier.

In the series, Violet's journey was all about reclaiming her humanity by writing letters and connecting with others. Yuji Itadori, on the other hand, had a more normal upbringing. He was raised by his loving but gruff grandfather and was motivated by his grandfather's dying wish.

Violet's questions in life were about emotions and human connections, while Yuji's questions were about life, death, and morality. What set Yuji apart from Violet were his circumstances. He was suddenly thrust into the dangerous world of Jujutsu, where he had to constantly suppress Sukuna, who was living inside him, all while facing a death sentence. This added a lot of urgency and complexity to his character. Furthermore, the constant battle for control gave Yuji an edge over the challenges that Violet faced.

Final thoughts

Anime has many great characters with complex stories. Some are better written than Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen in certain ways. Characters like Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan and Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass have remarkably deep character arcs and pivotal roles in their stories, surpassing Yuji in some aspects.

But even with their unique narratives and themes, characters like Alucard from Hellsing, Violet Evergarden, and Kamado Tanjiro from Demon Slayer cannot be compared to Yuji because they lack the depth that he possesses.