SuguSato

Introduction

Although Gege Akutami is actively ruining the potential of an amazing anime like Jujutsu Kaisen, Satoru Gojo and Surugu Geto’s characters are part of the rare few that stand as dynamic characters. As we watch the active fall of something that could have been as great as Isayama’s Attack on Titan, I would still like to acknowledge that some characters, although being largely mischaracterized (and sexualized) by the fandom, are worthy of praise.

I’m sure that you have at least heard about them before, as being one of the most mainstream and well known “ships” in anime in recent times. They fall under a number of the most popular tropes, with their story attracting more attention than the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen. Their relationship feels more and more dreadful and gut wrenching as you delve deeper into it, looking for the details on every frame. The fandom has resorted to coming up with their own interpretations of the available content, actively trying to ignore Gege’s underlying hatred for Gojo as a character. This blog aims to not only discuss them as characters and lovers, but to provide a space for my readers to feel understood, to relate to Satosugu’s experience and not feel alone. 

To start, I would like to describe my experience with meeting them for those who may not be as familiar. For those who are also actively invested like me, I would just like to provide a different perspective. 

Character Description / Story

The order of their story was rather confusing for me, as I first met Gojo as an adult during the first season. My first impression of him was a guy who actively hid his trauma and true self behind a “silly” persona. With the release of the movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, a year later, we get to meet Geto for the first time. This movie was also what solidified my beliefs, as Satoru began to show parts of his true self.  I watched both the first season and the movie with no context of the manga, as I was not an avid manga reader during those years (I liked the smooth animations and being able to hear instead of read dialogue at the time, also quarantine was wild). I was extremely confused at the ending, wondering what had happened between the two. Looking back (I can’t even bear to think about that scene sometimes), it feels like a punch in my stomach. Just remembering that interaction feels as if I had been drowning in an empty ocean for an eternity. Season 2 is when I finally receive context of their past, and what ultimately convinced me to open a manga website and spend hours of my life to catch up on the 200 some chapters currently out (I was actually not super invested in their dynamic until I started to see edits on Tiktok). Needless to say, I stopped reading after Gojo’s death. However, ultimately, I do think that it was those Tiktok edits and angsty slideshows that drew me into their dynamic, the pitiful ending that could have been prevented, but never was. Because of Gege’s incapabilities, it is left to many fans to expand on the character’s traits and make connections. 

Parallels to Other Fiction/Real Life

They are a prime example of separation due to morals. It is a difficult decision between your beliefs and the person you love, especially when that choice will force you to part ways. In their story, one ends up killing the other due to these differences. They changed from each other's most trusted partners to enemies that stand on opposite sides. 

The parallel between them and Soukoku, or even characters in Aot like Levi & Erwin

Why I Like Them

Everytime I get reminded of their relationship, whether it is those traumatizing Tiktok edits or just reflecting on a daily basis, it feels as if a blunt knife has been plunged into my chest, as if part of my body has been taken out, leaving a hollow emptiness inside of me. It is suffocatingly similar to the soul crushing emotions I felt towards Attack on Titan during quarantine. 

Although the high school era feels nostalgic and is my favorite arc that makes jjk seem like a shojo, the most impactful section to me still has to be the unconditional love that still remains after their separation. I guess wholesome romances/relationships just don’t do it for me, has to be gut wrenching for me to remember. They still refer to each other as their best friend in front of other people. How Gojo refrained from killing Geto at their “breakup” although he had the ability to. 

Editing notes:

Might have to rewrite this whole thing

Change publication date to whenever you finish the final draft