Yuji Itadori’s story begins with a tragedy: Right in the first episode of Jujutsu Kaisen, his grandfather dies. One minute, the two banter as usual during Yuji’s post-school hospital visits. The next, the man who was like a father to Yuji is gone. Before Wasuke Itadori passes on himself, however, he does the same with a few final words to his grandson:
“Yuji. You are very strong. Use that strength to help others, at least those closest to you. You don’t have to help everyone, but try to anyway. It’s okay to be confused at times, and don’t worry if no one thanks you for it. Just keep trying to help as many as possible. Even if you can only save one. That way, when you die, you’ll be surrounded by people. Please don’t end up like me.”
“Don’t worry if no one thanks you for it.” That struck me. At this point in the show, we know Yuji is strong. We know Yuji is special. We’ve just seen him casually break the shot putting world record by a 25% margin during a high school competition. So the question is not whether Yuji has the power to save anyone. It’s: Will he choose to try? Even if no one thanks him for it?
Later in the show, another character will note: “Karma is not fully automated. Nothing in this world is spread as fairly as unfairness.” Yet for him, as well as Yuji, and, of course, us, the matter at hand is not whether we’ll do what’s right when we think it’ll help us get what we want. That’s the easy part. Any animal with survival instinct will do it. Our calling is a higher one: to smile through the pain. To not lose hope when the world gnaws at us. And to pick ourselves up and help again, even if all we’ll do is land in the dirt once more.
That’s what Yuji’s grandfather reminds us of with his last words. Karma may not be fully automated, but it is still worth protecting. Use your strength. Help others. And don’t worry if no one thanks you for it.