WE’RE THE STRONGEST: A character analysis of Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto
Jujutsu Kaisen is a well-known Japanese manga written by Akutami Gege. Furthermore, after its anime adaptation premiered in October 2020, Jujutsu Kaisen’s popularity skyrocketed even more. The series secured its position as one of the new best in the genre of shounen. It has become a sensation among other anime as it offered a unique perspective on curses in the fantasy world.
Jujutsu Kaisen follows the life of Itadori Yuuji, a high school student who excels in sports and is part of the occult club. Yuuji has an unfortunate encounter with curses which allows him to meet people from the world of Jujutsu sorcerers. In a moment of life or death, he eats Ryoumen Sukuna’s finger allowing him to be more powerful but also resurrects Ryoumen Sukuna inside his body.
Itadori is now allowed to live only with the mission of gathering all of Sukuna’s fingers and then sacrificing himself to finish the curse to save his life from execution. In the meanwhile, he attends Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College (shortened to Tokyo Jujutsu High) where he meets his fellow first years, Nobara Kugasaki and Megumi Fushiguro.
In this world, we meet Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto. Together, they went to Tokyo Jujutsu High and grew up to be the greatest sorcerers of their age. They had contrasting personalities and beliefs but ended up being best of friends and great battle partners.
They had their arguments here and there but they acknowledged each other’s strength. It could be said that they were rivals who had a healthy competition with each other. They were partners who had trust and a deep bond.
When we get a glimpse of the past, it was revealed that they were often sent to missions as a duo. Experienced sorcerers were no match for them even if they were only second year students in school. In Japanese culture, if two people are extremely close, they refer to each other as their first names. The pair used Satoru and Suguru with each other.
When Gojo starts getting stronger with the help of Geto and his friends, he starts getting sent on missions alone. Geto being alone for most of the time and numerous traumas may have all caused a decline in his mental stability. One day, Geto just loses his resolve and faith in humanity.
Geto no longer wanted to live a life where he has to fight curses in order to protect non-sorcerers. He believed it had no purpose as non-sorcerers have never acknowledged their efforts.
When he discovers two little girls getting tortured for having the ability to practice sorcery, he murders an entire village and takes them under his wing. Geto’s actions were frowned upon by their community and led to him being declared as wanted.
Gojo could not believe the news when he was told. He immediately went to confront Geto where he eventually learned the truth himself. The emotional encounter in Shibuya marked the end of the great friendship.
Even if he had the ability to do so, Gojo could not restrain Geto and ended up allowing him to leave. He was eventually questioned for this but it was obvious why. Gojo couldn’t hurt his best friend.
A few years after they had ended their friendship, Gojo still referred to Geto as his best friend and ‘one and only’ to his students. As bitter as it may be, they still referred to each other as their first names even as enemies. From this, there is no doubt that their bond was strong.
The unfortunate end to their story is Gojo being the one to kill Geto in one of their battles.
Satoru Gojo
Satoru Gojo is normally seen as nonchalant and playful. Ever since he was born, he showed great skill in sorcery.
Moreover, he was born to the Gojo family, one of the three ruling sorcerer families that have major influence over the community. From the Gojo family, he inherited special techniques such as Limitless and Six Eyes. Gojo Satoru is the first inheritor of Six Eyes in over a hundred years.
Due to his power and reputation, he often comes off as arrogant and has little to no care for those who are weaker than him.
Throughout the story, Gojo could be observed to display the virtue of courage. In situations of danger, Gojo approaches it as if it were an everyday chore. He does not fear for his life as he is confident in his abilities. Although he is rightfully confident, he forgets that he is not invincible.
In a battle against Toji Zenin, Gojo unexpectedly loses. What’s worse is Toji Zenin wasn’t even a sorcerer himself. Instead, he used his physical abilities and strategy to be victorious over Gojo. For the first time ever in his life, Gojo suffers from a loss in battle. From this, we can conclude Gojo had excess courage which led to foolhardiness.
Gojo can also be said to show the virtue of proper pride. As mentioned before, Gojo holds himself to a high pedestal. I say he also has an excess of vice for this virtue. It’s more likely than not that his colleagues and students find him laughable due to him being vain. It does not seem to faze Gojo and even keeps it up.
One virtue that Gojo has in moderation is wittiness. He is highly liked within the universe and by the fans despite his supposed arrogance. He is shown to be very funny and witty, always finding ways to make a situation light.
As a teacher, his students aren’t even afraid to joke around with him. They insult him once in a while, but they all know it’s not serious. With Gojo, there is simply no boring moment.
The virtues he possesses allow him to be the person feared by all. Without his air of confidence and wit, he would not be Gojo Satoru. Although his excess courage proved to be a hindrance to him, he learned from it and became more wary after.
Gojo grew up in the eyes of the public. He was put under a lot of pressure and everyone was waiting for him to make a mistake. Gojo’s virtues allowed him to get past through this and become the greatest sorcerer alive. He became a person deserving of the praise that he received.
Now, it’s time to look at the other side of the coin. What did Gojo Satoru lack?
If I were asked this question, I would say friendliness and modesty. Gojo has the bad habit of coming off as rude and apathetic. It might’ve been a normal result of being praised for most of his life.
Gojo did not respect authority nor did condone himself to any norms. He knew he was above this and acted like so. He did not respond to criticism unless he experiences firsthand his flaws. This is noticeable when Gojo only trained after his loss from Toji Zenin.
It is to be noted that the only person who did not treat him like a god was Geto. It is highly likely that this was what caused them to be such good friends. Geto was the only one who could see Gojo for who he was.
Suguru Geto
Suguru Geto is introduced as one of the antagonists of the series. During the duration of the series, he is seen to be working in alliance with curse users. He is seen as a threat to the community due to his immense power and technique to control curses.
Geto is one proud and condescending individual. He sees non-sorcerers or humans as lower beings which he calls “monkeys.” He despises the fact that sorcerers try and protect humans from curses rather than leaving them to fend for their own.
In my own opinion, Geto and Gojo have similar virtues. Like Gojo, Gojo is a proud man who thinks highly of himself. However, I would like to think Geto has a sufficient amount of courage, unlike Gojo.
Geto knows how to pick his battles. If he knows it’s something not worth his time or something he cannot win, he does not involve himself or thinks of another way. I believe in this way Geto is smart and strategic.
We can observe this virtue when Geto manipulated the students and somehow isolated Okkutsu Yuta from them. Geto wanted to steal something from Yuta but he knew he would be successful against all the students and teachers. If help did not reach Yuta in time, it is said Geto would’ve been successful.
Geto also showcases the virtue of proper pride. However, it seems like he has an excess of it. As mentioned, he thinks of himself as superior and is often heard to degrade humans. As a result, Geto would disguise himself as a religious figure that would trick humans.
Like Gojo, Geto is witty and well-liked by his peers. He keeps up with bickers and jokes while remaining composure. In a way, it can be said he was a calmer version of Gojo. Another virtue of Geto that comes along with this is his friendliness. He was very sociable and respectful to authority, unlike Gojo.
Friendliness, along with his other virtues, allowed him to be a well-respected figure in the Jujutsu society. If he did not go against the law, it would be most likely that Geto would’ve held a high position within the community. His virtues were beneficial for him as they allowed him to get what he wants.
Things always worked in favor of Geto. When he went against Jujutsu sorcerers, he was branded as a big threat. He was a valuable asset no matter what side he chose.
For the virtues he lacked, it would be modesty. As if it weren’t already obvious, Geto is apathetic. He does not care about insults because he knows he is superior and strong. Moreover, he does not have trouble proclaiming himself as one of the strongest sorcerers with Gojo.
Gojo and Geto: What could’ve been?
It would’ve been very different if they had the virtues they lacked. If they were more aware of their flaws, maybe they wouldn’t be facing the issues they had.
Gojo would’ve been a greater fighter if he exercised moderation of courage. It’s good to be confident, but it allows him to be foolish. I don’t think Gojo practicing friendliness and modesty would’ve changed the story much, other than having more relationships and being more liked.
On the other hand, if Geto would’ve been less proud, he would have had a different approach to humans. I’m sure he wouldn’t have murdered an entire village that night if so. He wouldn’t be on the run from Jujutsu sorcerers and he might’ve remained by Gojo’s side.
Geto not deflecting would’ve prevented Jujutsu sorcerer so many problems. He is a very strong sorcerer that has great significance. Not only was he strong, but he was also a great strategist. Curse users had been oppressed for years and only had to opportunity to fight back once Geto was on their side.
And of course, most importantly, Gojo might have not killed Geto. Gojo wouldn’t have had to go to the pain and suffering of the person he treasured the most. Geto would’ve been alive and not possessed by an old and evil sorcerer. Gojo wouldn’t have had to see his dead best friend’s body be used.
However, I think Gojo and Geto’s bond wouldn’t have been the same. They were friends because of who they were. They accepted each other’s flaws despite being aware of them.
Their friendship was the way it was because of the way they were. They might’ve been still friends, but it wouldn’t have been as valuable as it would have.
An alternative ending would be Gojo and Geto living their everyday lives as well-respected individuals in the community. Their lives are more peaceful and curse-users aren’t much of a threat. There was no need to go through multiple traumas and battles. Everything was well.
However, they are on two different ends of a stick. They are only two colleagues who interact with one another when necessary.
In conclusion, Gojo and Geto having the virtues would’ve majorly changed their lives, but also their bond.
