If there is one trope Shounen protagonists have in common, it’s their design. No one wants to read the story of a protagonist who isn’t appealing. They don’t have to be completely attractive. Sometimes, it’s enough for them to be decent. Midoriya Izuku from My Hero Academia attests to that. To some extent, Saitama from One Punch Man does as well.
However, there is one exception to this rule. If it’s an overpowered character, then expect them to be somewhat attractive or disgusting. There is often no in-between for this. Luckily for us Jujutsu Kaisen fans, we got the former!
Why is Gojo So Hot?
When we first saw Gojo unmask in Episode 7, I’m sure everyone had the same thought. To quote Squidward, oh no, he’s hot! Well, maybe not everyone. His perfect appearance did bring up a question for the fans. Mostly from the manga readers. As everyone in the manga knows, Gojo didn’t look that attractive. If any, he looked unhinged in many panels.
So, faced with this contradiction, people began questioning. Why is Gojo hot? There are many ways to answer this question. You can say that Gojo is hot because the animators made it that way. They wanted to enforce that Gojo is a “perfect” being. Thus, handsome features are a must. Although, that answer may not be enough. Not every person finds Gojo handsome or perfect. So, we need to find a different answer.
The answer I came up with is that people find Gojo hot for various reasons. His bright bubbly personality, strengths, and appearance are chief among them. However, I know many people out there are inquisitive like me. This may not be enough and I hear you! So, I’ll divide the summary above into three sections.
Gojo’s Personality
Gojo has one of the most complex personalities in recent anime history. Unlike most Shounen Protagonists, Satoru isn’t exactly kind and well-rounded. He knows how dirty the world is and is not afraid to get his hands dirty. He lacks the naivete of a hero but is filled with the arrogance of a villain. Pair that with his ideals, and it won’t be a stretch to say that he is more of an anti-hero. His dislike for the weak and belief as the one above all confirms it.
However, years of experience and tribulations mellowed him out. The Gojo that we are presented with is now outgoing and upbeat. He understands that life is too short to take seriously. Or maybe it’s because he’s the strongest that he couldn’t take things seriously!
However, his ruthlessness still exists. When faced with Curses, he reverts to his “holier-than-thou” attitude. This gap in personality is what would draw fans into his character. People can imagine him as the dominant caretaker in the relationship. To some, that is hot.
Gojo’s Strength
There is nothing more attractive to people than strength. While this is a rude and primitive opinion, it is true nonetheless. As humans, it is our instinct to seek out stronger partners. And the term “strong” here doesn’t have to be about physical strength. It can be mental strengths or emotional strengths. This instinct also translates to the characters we like.
Take a moment and think about your favorite character. What is it about them that draws you in? I guarantee you that there will be one trait that represents their strength.
In the case of Gojo Satoru, he happens to have all three. People can find Gojo hot because he is strong and in control of his life. He knows what he wants and exercises great lengths to capture it. His Limitless Cursed Techniques are the cherry on top.
Gojo’s Appearance
Admittedly, we do not know why Gojo is designed that way. Gege Akutami hasn’t made any comments about it. Thankfully, we can use science to explain why Gojo is hot!
First, there is the matter of how Gojo is portrayed. Before Episode 7, we normally see Gojo in his blindfold and slacks. His all-black attire and lack of accessories make it hard to pay attention to him. He employed the “Gray Man” tactic so he would not stand out. When he revealed his eyes and let down his hair, it provided a great contrast to what he looked like. This creates a “Glow Up” Effect that can make people believe Gojo is hot.
Then, there is the case of his features. Gojo’s white hair and blue eyes are that way for a good reason. They are the rarest traits you can find in real life. It makes Gojo look unique and makes him look hot. For the Japanese fans, this goes double for them. However, this may be not the only reason why Gojo is made to look that way. I’ll be explaining that more below.
Gojo’s White Hair
In anime, there is this thing called “hair color symbolism”. The hair color is supposed to hint at a character’s personality and role in the story. The colors all give a different meaning, but so does the brightness. The darker a character’s hair is, the more down-to-earth they are. This is why serious characters are often portrayed with black hair.
In Gojo’s case, his white hair represents his otherworldliness. His belief as the one “exalted by heavens” makes him stand out. He is also strange for the norms in Jujutsu Kaisen itself. Thus, this may be the reason why Gege gave him white hair.
Gojo’s Blue Eyes
Gojo’s blue eyes are chosen because they are unknown among Japanese citizens. Even in Jujutsu Kaisen, only Gojo has incredibly pronounced blue eyes. However, what makes this hot for people is culture. In Western cultures, blue eyes are associated with “fun” and “sexy” aspects. Gojo holds both of these aspects, reaffirming this belief.
Conclusion
Gojo is hot because he is designed that way. His features take advantage of existing cultural norms that dictate what makes a person hot. He happens to tick all of these norms which I’m sure is no coincidence. Gege illustrated him to be attractive and the anime capitalized on that point.