Summary

• Jujutsu Kaisen excels in exploring deep relationships between characters with meaningful connections behind every moment given.
• Aoi Todo and Itadori Yuji's friendship challenges stereotypes of masculine friendship, rooted in vulnerability, trust, and mutual growth.
• The series presents a positive model for masculinity and friendships, focusing on genuine love and care over dominance and competition.

the connection between Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto exemplifies some of the key themes of the series. In Jujutsu Kaisen, when a relationship is given time to flourish, one can guarantee that there's a meaning behind the time it's given. For me, though, one of the more meaningful relationships has been the one between Aoi Todo and Itadori Yuji, who challenge preconceptions of masculine friendship.

Initially opponents, Todo and Yuji met during the Kyoto Goodwill Event arc. Todo is a student at the Kyoto sorcerer school, who came to Tokyo so that the students of the two schools could meet and test their skills against one another. The event also serves as a way to reintroduce Yuji to the main cast, as well as to introduce Mahito, who announces a rivalry with Yuji, the vessel of Sukuna.

Todo Compellingly Plays With Irony and Sincerity.

Although a Silly Character, Todo Plays Irony Straight and Softens the Hearts of Those Around Him

The hook that inaugurates Todo and Yuji's friendship might be polarizing to many fans. Todo asks his opponent what their romantic "type" is, and responds accordingly. On one hand, this is unquestionably objectifying, but on the other hand, it's a reality of life that people have different types and can bond over them. It's actually interesting to me in two other ways.

The first is that Todo is decidedly open-minded in some ways: when he presents Megumi with the question, he adds that if Megumi likes men, that's "okay too". It could be interpreted as homophobic comedy, but I think it also reflects Todo's sincerity. Todo legitimately doesn't care about his opponent's interests, and he isn't intending to judgment; what he cares about is whether his interests align with his opponents.

The second, in turn, is that it underlines the whimsical nature of his relationship with Yuji. Yuji responds by saying that his "type" is "tall girls with big butts": also Todo's type. In response, Todo completely shifts in his favor, immediately declaring them best friends. In many ways, this reminded me of my own male friendships: a common interest without much else to it forging a resilient unity. While Todo is played is a "himbo", it also belies a sort of purity and simplicity. The friendship softens Yuji and provides some of his best moments.

This tangentially connects to Todo's love for the idol Nobuko Takada. Although it's fitting with Todo's "himbo" presentation to have a goofy "effeminate" interest, it realistically depicts the way that men have interests about which they might be insecure. In my case, one of my best friends in high school was an avid fan of Lego, seen as an "uncool" hobby then, and remains so to this day. My respect for their hobby was one of the reasons we bonded. Todo exemplifies positive masculinity by wearing his interests on his sleeve without insecurity, even those that are "uncool".

Todo and Yuji Show a Rare Sincerity

Their Care for One Another Transcends Even the Most Difficult Situations

This unlikely friendship between Todo and Yuji blossoms into a deep and sincere care, and a very intuitive understanding of each other that anchors some of Jujutsu Kaisen's most intense fights. To get to that point, though, it's crucial to acknowledge how Todo and Yuji would help each other. When Yuji was struggling to get his footing as a jujutsu sorcerer, Todo willingly helped him to improve and taught him the Black Flash technique that would mark his style for the rest of the series.

A mutual trust quickly emerges, and Todo and Yuji establish a deep bond with each other's abilities as sorcerers. Todo's displacement technique, Boogie Woogie, wins several fights alongside Yuji as the two poof around in unexpected ways, disorienting enemies. His willingness to believe in Yuji leads to Todo losing an arm and going absent, something he doesn't bemoan for even a moment.

This companionship and camaraderie allows them to take down enemies who would be impossible to contest otherwise. The first major example is Mahito, who the two manage to take down even after Mahito goes on a rampage that ruthlessly kills countless other sorcerers and civilians. Without giving too much away about the series after the anime ends, Todo's unexpected return is also decisive in one of the series' ongoing conflicts, serving to revitalize Yuji, restore his faith, and provide crucial combat .

Todo and Yuji Show Another Kind of Male Companionship

The Pair Serve as a Vehicle for Jujutsu Kaisen To Show Another Way for Men To Connect

I think there's something really valuable here that can be emulated: a masculinity not focused on dominance and repression but on genuine love and care for one another.

Jujutsu Kaisen is perhaps best known for the way it masterfully challenges common shonen tropes. While the friendship of rivals or comrades frequently features in shonen, the way that Todo and Yuji are specifically approached is different. In a way, it shows a very positive model for masculinity and friendships between masculine people. No matter how convoluted the plot gets, or whatever philosophical arguments about "authenticity" arise following Todo's being implanted with positive memories of Yuji, the earnest kernel at the heart of their friendship remains.

Their mutual trust is an anchor for the series from the moment Yuji and Todo meet one another and is crucial in resolving some of the series' largest conflicts. At the same time, it happens without a hint of jealousy or competition, and more confusingly, it happens without good reason. A chance alignment of interests brought the pair together. Moving forward, they help each other become stronger and constantly encourage one another. Beyond combat , the emotional Todo lends Yuji is pivotal.

For myself and male viewers alike, I think there's something really valuable here that can be emulated: a masculinity not focused on dominance and repression but on genuine love and care for one another. Todo and Yuji provide a model for masculine friendship based on vulnerability, trust, and mutual growth. The sincerity with which Jujutsu Kaisen is able to present this angle is what makes it second to none.