Why Is Todo the Best Character in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 22, 2024 5 Views 8 Min Read
Why Is Todo the Best Character in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Summary

  • Aoi Todo pushes his friends to excel, coaching Yuji during the Kyoto Sister-School Goodwill Event.
  • Todo defends and advocates for his friends, standing up for Yuji against his Kyoto classmates.
  • Todo supports his friends’ emotions, helping Yuji through grief during the Shibuya Incident.

This feature contains spoilers from the Shibuya Incident arc in Jujutsu Kaisen, season 2.

Aoi Todo bursts into Jujutsu Kaisen with so much bombast that it’s hard to peg him. Who asks a stranger they just met what their taste in women is? What is the deal with his idol infatuation? Is this dude a meathead, or is there more going on under those muscles? All of Jujutsu Kaisen’s characters are multi-layered, with Todo being one of the most complex.

Todo initiates an initially one-sided friendship with a perplexed Yuji Itadori. However, as the duo’s friendship grows, Todo repeatedly displays his honor and loyalty. Later, Todo’s strength of character and emotional intelligence saves Yuji from what quickly could have become an execution at the hands of Mahito. In short, Aoi Todo is one of the best friends one could have.

Yuta Okkotsu And Satoru Gojo wait inside a hospital in Jujutsu Kaisen.

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Todo Pushes His Friends to Strive for More

Todo and Yuji prepare to battle each other while a montage of imaginary memories of their friendship play behind them in Jujutsu Kaisen.

The Kyoto Sister-School Goodwill Event reveals plenty about each Jujutsu High student’s character. However, the most commendable display of sportsmanship belongs to Aoi Todo, who enthusiastically takes Yuji under his wing (even if Yuji is not initially interested).

Todo coaches Yuji through the Black Flash technique, a rare physical attack that sorcerers can occasionally perform under specific circumstances. It’s essentially a sorcerer’s version of ‘being in the zone.’ After noticing the delay between Yuji’s physical strikes and the cursed energy that characterizes his Divergent Fist technique, Todo challenges his new friend.

The spectacular Grade 1 sorcerer will not accept mediocracy, especially from those he cares about. In season 1, episode 15, “Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event – Group Battle 1 -,” Todo gives Yuji an ultimatum:

If you’re satisfied staying on that level, then sadly, you and I can’t possibly stay best friends

Yuji accepts Todo’s help, and the two spar while Todo teaches Yuji new lessons about the flow of cursed energy. When Psuedo-Geto’s compatriots invade the Tokyo Jujutsu High campus, Todo’s coaching enables Yuji to land a black flash on Hanami, a dangerous special-grade cursed spirit.

Todo Advocates for His Friends

Mei Mei and Tojo meet with Gakuganji to recommend five candidates for promotion in Jujutsu Kaisen.

When Todo forms a bond with someone, nothing can come between them, even Todo’s allies. After Todo’s first round with Itadori in “Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event – Group Battle 1 -,” his Kyoto classmates interrupt the pair’s sparring. Although Principal Gakuganji instructed his students to kill Itadori, Todo defies these wishes, telling Noritoshi and his peers to back off. Todo’s willingness to defend Yuji, even against his classmates, is admirable.

Todo gives Yuji plenty of respect in person. However, the best diagnostic of a friendship is how said friend speaks of you when you’re not around. Nothing is more soul-crushing than a two-faced frenemy that sings your praises to your face only to trash-talk you behind your back.

Fortunately, Todo is 110 percent sincere. He’ll never lie to your face and always advocate for you behind closed doors. Season 1’s conclusion exemplifies Todo’s commitment to Yuji. After witnessing Itadori’s potential during the Goodwill Event, he makes it his business to recommend Itadori for promotion.

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Todo Gives Space for His Friends’ Emotions

Todo encourages Yuji to continue fighting during a pivotal moment in Jujutsu Kaisen's Shibuya Incident arc.

The most significant watershed moment regarding Yuji and Todo’s friendship is during the Shibuya Incident. Even the most well-meaning friends struggle when confronted with grief, either dismissing their friend’s feelings or becoming so overwhelmed they allow the relationship to fade. When Todo witnesses Yuji mourning over Nanami, Nobara, and Sukuna’s many victims, the audience knows his response could turn out several ways.

Aoi Todo’s macho-man archetype may lead viewers to expect him to scold Yuji. Perhaps he would give a brash, ‘Quit feeling sorry for yourself’ speech. However, that’s not what Yuji needs now. Instead, Todo calmly speaks to Yuji, holding space for his friend’s deep despair. Todo’s words recognize Yuji’s love for others, directing that love in a more productive direction.

Brother, you’re a man amongst men. Don’t limit yourself to such narrowmindedness.

Then, Todo shifts his words toward progress. He reminds Yuji about the unpredictability of being a jujutsu sorcerer, absolving him of a guilt that is too much for one human to bear. Finally, Todo directs Yuji toward action, encouraging him to continue fighting so all of the Shibuya Incident’s casualties are not in vain.

Attempting to find meaning in the deaths of the fallen can, at times, defile the memory of those we’ve lost… What is it that you have been entrusted with?… Until you’re able to find it, you cannot stop moving forward.

Todo’s reasoning adjusts Yuji’s perspective, enabling the big-hearted young man to continue fighting. This comeback solidifies Yuji and Todo’s friendship. In season 2, episode 45, “Metamorphosis,” Yuji takes over the battle against Mahito. As the young sorcerer departs, he expresses his gratitude and calls Todo his brother. If only everyone were lucky enough to find a “brother” like Todo.

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