One of the greatest aspects of Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen is its well-fleshed out characters whose range of inner complexities and outward behavior is often a topic of discussion among fans. However, aside from probing into deep character sketches, fans also take this opportunity to look into each character’s relationship with their peers. While some of the interactions or relationships (in general) may be disappointing or frustrating, fans present different AU (alternate universe) or HC (headcanons) to modify a character’s personality or motivations so that they fit well with another character.
This exercise is most prominent in fanfiction or fan art sharing websites. To imagine a scenario with Jujutsu Kaisen characters, kindergarten teacher Toji Fushiguro may be seen showing romantic inclinations towards bartender Satoru Gojo, who might be confused about his feelings for his ex-classmate, Shoko Ieri. Given this is happening in a parallel universe with a different range of emotional, physical, and social complications that is different from the canon story, some fans may like it because it is a break from the reality where Toji and Gojo are sworn enemies with an age-gap and no possibilities of romance. Moreover, Gojo and Shoko may never happen since the doctor has canonically confirmed that she would never like Gojo and Geto romantically. On the other hand, some fanfiction relationships may follow the canon facts but diverge after a certain point.
As such, to celebrate the various ships that have been borne out of Jujutsu Kaisen fandom’s interests, only ten have been immensely popular to have made it to this list. Moreover, even though websites like fanfiction.net, Wattpad, or Tumblr are great repositories of fanfiction, fans mostly find themselves going back to Archive of our Own (A03), which is the greatest producer of fanfictions that has increased the popularity of the below-listed ships.
Note: All the mentioned ships are fanon, i.e., ships created by fans based on canon characters. The article also contains spoilers from the series.
From NobaMaki to SatoSugu, here are the top 10 Jujutsu Kaisen ships based on A03 fanfiction counts
10. NobaMaki (Nobara Kugisaki/Maki Zenin)
NobaMaki is the femslash ship between Tokyo Jujutsu High students – Nobara Kugisaki (first year) and Maki Zenin (second year). In the Jujutsu Kaisen series, the two met at a difficult time when Nobara and Megumi were mourning the supposed death of Yuji. Although they may have gotten on the wrong foot, the two seem to deeply care for each other. Moreover, Nobara explicitly mentions during a few instances that she is impressed by Maki and respects her a lot.
Even though the popularity of the ship may have increased due to their mutual closeness, Maki and Nobara have been together in the official cover of Jujutsu Kaisen or seen smiling in the second ending. Brief instances like these have contributed to the two being liked by fans. Aside from that, fans like these two because they are incredibly strong women who have similarities with each other. Besides, they are often seen in fanfictions (if not as a major pairing) against ItaFushi or SatoSugu. They currently have 1,161 fanfictions on Archive of our Own.
Also Read: Jujutsu Kaisen: Was Shoko Ieri in love with one of her classmates?
9. InuOkko (Yuta Okkutsu/Toge Inumaki)
Inumaki Toge and Yuta Okkutsu are both second-year Tokyo Jujutsu High students. Their first meeting happened in Jujutsu Kaisen 0, with Yuta being transferred to school, where his curse, Rika, prompted Inumaki and his classmates to take precautions against it. Later, their interaction became prominent during their first mission together. Although Inumaki only speaks in onigiri ingredients because he is a verbal curse user whose uttering of any action may result in the listener to follow it, he only limits it while exorcising. As such, this affects his throat condition. Given the mission that went wrong in Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Yuta took an active role in protecting his comrade when the other was facing problems with his voice. Their collaboration thus became a major point for fans to start shipping them.
With 1,354 fanfictions on A03, InuOkko’s popularity is based on how fans see them as being classmates-turned-lovers. Although this pairing suffers a conflict with YutaMaki (Yuta Okkutsu/Maki Zenin), they are seen in fanfictions mostly as a side pairing. Though in season 1 of Jujutsu Kaisen, they had no interaction due to Yuta’s absence, the ship still remains strong because of the two classmates being seen as best friends, something similar to Yuji and Megumi, which even Gojo mentions in the manga.
8. NanaGo (Kento Nanami/Satoru Gojo)
Professionally, they are both colleagues. Kento Nanami and Satoru Gojo have known each other for a long time since their days as junior and senior at Tokyo Jujutsu High. But when Nanami is introduced in Jujutsu Kaisen season 1, he doesn’t seem to have a high regard for the playful Satoru Gojo. Nanami is seen as calm, polished, and carrying around a noble air around him, but Gojo’s teasing and roguish mannerisms often seem to pop the former’s nerves.
As such, this becomes an interesting point for Jujutsu Kaisen shippers to pair them together. With 1,513 A03 fanfictions, they are seen in tropes where people with opposite personalities end up developing feelings for each other. While the contrasting personalities theme is recurrent across NanaGo fanfictions, the other tropes that are used for this pairing include “Consummate Professional & Genius Ditz” and “Noble Male, Roguish Male.”
7. GojoHime (Satoru Gojo/Utahime Iori)
The only het ship in this listicle, Satoru Gojo and Utahime Iori are teachers at Jujutsu High, but at different branches – Tokyo and Kyoto, respectively. The duo have known each other for over 10 years. Every time they meet, Gojo is seen teasing Utahime, who often reacts to him with anger or frustration. This was first seen when the Kyoto Branch had visited the Tokyo Jujutsu High for Goodwill Event. Despite that, they seem to acknowledge each other’s status as a sorcerer and have helped during moments of need, as in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223.
Often referred to as the ‘Five Songs Couple,’ the ship currently has 1,545 fanfictions on A03. On the fanfiction website, they are seen in tropes like “Opposites Attract,” “Like an old married couple,” “Headbutting Heroes,” “One Head Taller,” “Hair Contrast Duo,” and “Sugar and Ice Personality.” But what remains constant is the depiction of GojoHime’s bickerings for majority of the fanfictions.
6. SukuIta (Ryomen Sukuna/Yuuji Itadori)
In the Jujutsu Kaisen-verse, Yuuji Itadori is the vessel of the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna. Although their relationship had been hostile previously, they came to terms with it as per season 1. Sukuna has ill intentions, which is typical of a Curse, but amidst the enmity, they learn to be codependent, where he even lends his powers to Yuuji. As per the manga, it is seen that Sukuna from several centuries ago had physical similarities with Yuuji. However, the latest developments in the manga also see the two separated as Megumi now hosts Sukuna.
Although they are two separate entities in one body, the romantic relationship between the two is seen like the host in love with the parasite. As it happens, with 2,195 fanfictions on Archive of our Own, SukuIta stories see a power dynamic that sees the King of Curses taking the upper hand. This is something that has been prevalent in Jujutsu Kaisen canon as well, so with Yuuji often posing a contrasting nature and defying him, fans like to ship these two for the chemistry they present. On the other hand, they are also re-imagined as separate beings in different bodies who meet up in an alternate universe and strike a friendship/relationship.
5. GoYuu or GojoIta (Satoru Gojo/Yuuji Itadori)
The slash ship between Gojo and Yuuji may be odd to some fans as the two share a teacher-student relationship in Jujutsu Kaisen. The two met during the Introduction arc when Gojo meets and fights a Sukuna-possessed Itadori and brings him to study at Tokyo Jujutsu High. Throughout the canon story, the two are seen to have shared a fun and caring relationship, with Gojo and Itadori showing their ditzy and crackhead energy with each other. In fact, when Itadori supposedly died, Gojo took the charge to train him after he returned to life.
Given the age-gap between the two characters, some Jujutsu Kaisen fans dislike the ship. The other reason GoYuu is hated as a romantic pair is because the shippers for SatoSuga and ItaFushi are greater, who prefer their own choices for the two respective characters rather than Gojo and Itadori together. The other side of the fandom also sees the two sharing a foster father-son kind of relationship. Yet, despite its controversial nature, the ship boasts 2,375 fanfictions on A03. Though some take the safe route to portray them in a platonic relationship that aligns with the canon storyline, a few take liberties to see them as couples of the same age in parallel universes.
4. GoFushi (Satoru Gojo/Megumi Fushiguro)
This is yet another teacher-student relationship that is popular on A03, if the 2,548 fanfictions on A03 are any indication. Just like GoYuu, they are mostly seen as foster father-child relationship dynamic since Gojo did take the guardianship of Megumi following the death of his father, Toji. Aside from that, they also show a mentor-mentee relationship in the Jujutsu Kaisen series.
On A03, the fandom remains divided on their romantic depiction on the website due to their age gap. Despite that, Megumi’s romantic role in Gojo’s life often takes two angles:
- Gojo taking Megumi’s guardianship but the nature of the relationship gradually changes over time as the latter usually catches feelings for the former.
- Megumi replacing Geto’s role in Gojo’s life, or the fresh change after getting out of a relationship.
3. SukuFushi (Ryomen Sukuna/Megumi Fushiguro)
The slash pairing between Sukuna and Megumi started when the King of Curses showed an active interest in the latter’s powers. Many chapters later in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, it is seen that Sukuna possessed Megumi’s body in order to get access to his skills and abilities as sorcerer. However, given how Sukuna showed a mocking/playful face while battling Megumi in season 1, it is often thought by fans that the King of Curses may be interested in the sorcerer differently, which is when the “Simpkuna” term emerged for Sukuna. This is how the “Enemies to Lovers” was applied to their dynamic since Megumi hates Sukuna due to him being a major antagonist or an ill-intentioned Curse who has made the young sorcerer suffer through the deaths of his loved ones.
With 2,761 A03 fanfictions, the SukuFushi ship is portrayed in many ways, with most of them involving Itadori. A few of the recurrent theme include:
- Sukuna being Itadori’s brother in an alternate setting and pining for Megumi
- Contrasting personalities but ending up liking each other
- Love triangle between Megumi, Itadori, and Sukuna
- Unrequited love involving the three
- Historical setting involving one of them either being human and curse or two of them being human but turning into curse later on
2. ItaFushi or MeguYuji (Yuuji Itadori/Megumi Fushiguro)
The second most Jujutsu Kaisen ship across all platforms, it sees best friends and classmates Yuuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro. In the Jujutsu Kaisen series, the two had met while Megumi was searching for Sukuna’s finger and later Itadori saved him, but he also ended up being the vessel for Sukuna after consuming the finger. However, over time, the two have shown an incredible display of camaraderie, with the two having each other’s back in battles. When Sukuna possesses Megumi, Itadori makes the active effort to rescue his best friend, and following their reunion after the Shibuya Incident arc, the trope “You Are Better Than You Think You Are” came into being.
The ship currently houses 4,259 fanfictions on A03. The reason for their popularity among fans is their friendship dynamic that is typical of shonen stories, such as Natsu and Grey from Fairy Tail. Moreover, they are so in sync with each other that fans think that they may be compatible outside of their battles and friendship. Interestingly, the works for this slash ship are often canon compliant, with fan stories taking a more behind-the-scenes approach. Many fanfic authors also imagine them in a normal world without curses and explore their friendship/relationship in that setting. In fact, since mangaka Akutami revealed that Itadori would’ve been a firefighter if not for a sorcerer, it is a headcanon among fans that Megumi will be a veterinarian. And similar scenarios like these are quite common in the fanfiction landscape.
1. SatoSugu (Satoru Gojo/Suguru Geto)
The most-written Jujutsu Kaisen ship on A03 also happens to have a tragic outcome in the canon storyline. The saddest part being – Gojo is the one to have killed Geto behind-the-scenes of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. However, Geto’s body is used by Kenjaku to traumatize and defeat the invincible sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, during the Shibuya Incident arc. Aside from that, the two have a long history, having been best friends and classmates since their time in Tokyo Jujutsu High. Due to irrevocable personal beliefs, Geto went astray and became an antagonist in the Jujutsu Kaisen storyline.
Given the sorrowful nature of their relationship, it attracts many fans to explore their contrasting dynamics in the verse. Besides being queercoded, a symbol that represents them includes dragonflies. A common trope that is often applied for them is “Achilles Heel” since both are each other’s weaknesses. Aside from the breakup or divorce theme that is common in the fanfictions, they are explored as a pairing on the opposite side of the law (“Love Across Battlines”) and in what-if scenarios. Just like other ships, SatoSuga are also seen in many imagined scenarios, which can be found within the current 6,809 A03 fanfictions under their name. Now that Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 is soon approaching, the popularity of the ship is sky-rocketing once again, so the number of fanfictions will increase too in no time.
