Let's cut right to the chase: if you're asking "how old is Yuji Itadori in Dragon Ball?", the simple answer is that he doesn't exist within the Dragon Ball universe at all. Yuji Itadori is the spirited, kind-hearted protagonist of Gege Akutami's wildly popular manga and anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen. The worlds of Jujutsu Kaisen and Dragon Ball are entirely separate, operating under their own distinct rules, characters, and timelines.
While Yuji isn't busy fighting Saiyans or searching for Dragon Balls, his own story in Jujutsu Kaisen is rich with complex lore, incredible powers, and a timeline that significantly impacts his age and development. So, while we can't tell you his age in a universe he's not part of, we can dive deep into his canonical age and journey within his own thrilling world. If you're curious about Yuji's full story, from his humble beginnings to becoming a key player in the jujutsu world, dive into our comprehensive character profile: .
Yuji Itadori's Canonical Age in Jujutsu Kaisen
When we first meet Yuji Itadori at the start of Jujutsu Kaisen, he's a typical high school student with extraordinary physical prowess, clocking in at 15 years old. His life dramatically changes after he consumes Sukuna's finger to save his friends, thrusting him into the dangerous world of jujutsu sorcerers.
Throughout the original Jujutsu Kaisen series, minor time skips occur. By the conclusion of the main storyline, Yuji is typically estimated to be around 15-16 years old. However, the upcoming spin-off manga, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, offers a fascinating glimpse into his much, much older future. Set 68 years after the Culling Game, Yuji is depicted as being approximately 83 years old. For a detailed breakdown of Yuji's age across different arcs and timelines within Jujutsu Kaisen, check out our deep dive into his age timeline: .
The Enigma of Yuji's Prolonged Youth
Despite his projected age of 83 in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, Yuji is notably depicted with a youthful appearance. This peculiar longevity and youthful look have sparked numerous fan theories, often pointing to his unique physiology as Sukuna's former vessel. The connection to the Death Paintings after he consumes them is also theorized to play a role in slowing down his aging process, making him an exceptionally resilient and long-lived sorcerer.
The Roots of a Sorcerer: Yuji Itadori's Origin Story
Yuji's journey is far from ordinary. Before becoming Sukuna's vessel, he was a 15-year-old with exceptional athletic abilities, living a relatively normal life with his grandfather. It was his grandfather's dying wish – to "save others" and not die alone – that profoundly influenced Yuji's moral compass and drive.
His fateful encounter with a cursed object led him to ingest Sukuna's finger to protect Megumi Fushiguro, marking him for execution. However, Satoru Gojo intervened, postponing his execution until he could consume all twenty of Sukuna's fingers. This decision set him on a path of intense training, newfound friendships with Megumi and Nobara Kugisaki, and an unrelenting fight against cursed spirits. To fully grasp the events that shaped Yuji into the sorcerer he is today, explore his complete backstory and the pivotal moments that defined his journey: .
Beyond Human: Yuji's Powers and Abilities
From the outset, Yuji possessed superhuman strength, reflexes, and agility, capable of impressive feats like running over 60 km/h. As he delved deeper into the world of jujutsu, his abilities grew exponentially.
Initially, he learned to channel cursed energy through techniques like the Divergent Fist, which delivers a delayed second impact of cursed energy. He also quickly mastered Black Flash, an empowered strike occurring within an astonishing 0.000001 of a second, using it seventeen times in the manga. His unique physiology as Sukuna's vessel also granted him resistance to curses and the ability to harm their souls. Later, after consuming the remaining Death Paintings, Yuji gained the powerful ability of Blood Manipulation. Furthermore, through his connection to Sukuna, he can access Sukuna's "Shrine" cursed technique, and remarkably, he managed to open a Domain Expansion after only a month of training. Curious about how Yuji masters his unique fighting style and the incredible powers he wields? Our guide on Yuji Itadori's abilities and techniques offers a detailed look: .
Yuji's Journey Through Jujutsu Kaisen: Key Moments and Relationships
Yuji's story is one of profound growth, devastating loss, and unwavering determination. He died and was resurrected by Sukuna early on, later revealing his survival during the Kyoto Goodwill Event. The Shibuya Incident proved to be a brutal turning point, as he witnessed the tragic deaths of beloved figures like Kento Nanami and the apparent demise of Nobara Kugisaki.
His battles included a significant confrontation with Choso, who was later revealed to be his older brother, adding another layer of complexity to his origins. The shocking revelation that Kenjaku acted as his "mother" and created him with power to rival Sukuna further cemented his pivotal role. After being hunted and then eventually aided by Yuta Okkotsu, Yuji became a central figure in the Culling Games and played a key role in the ultimate confrontation to defeat Sukuna. Follow Yuji's development through the most impactful arcs of Jujutsu Kaisen, including his trials, triumphs, and the critical events that shaped the series: .
Critical Acclaim and Evolving Role
Yuji Itadori has consistently been a fan favorite, topping polls on platforms like MyAnimeList and Viz Media. Critics have praised his character development, often noting how he subverts typical shonen protagonist tropes with his empathy and willingness to sacrifice. He's frequently compared to other iconic characters like Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach. While his impact and critical reception have been largely positive, some critics have observed that his role seemed to diminish in later arcs, at times being overshadowed by characters like Satoru Gojo and Yuta Okkotsu. For a deeper understanding of his character evolution, impact on the story, and comparisons to other shonen leads, our detailed character analysis of Yuji Itadori is a must-read: .
The Future of the "Greatest Known Sorcerer"
Looking ahead to Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, Yuji's portrayal as an 83-year-old who is still youthful and known as the "greatest known sorcerer on Earth" is incredibly significant. It speaks volumes about his enduring strength, the unique physiology he's developed, and the lasting impact he will continue to have on the world of jujutsu long after the main series concludes. His journey is far from over, promising more exciting developments for fans.
So, while Yuji Itadori will never appear in Dragon Ball, his own universe is brimming with enough action, mystery, and personal stakes to keep any fan on the edge of their seat.