{"id":79185,"date":"2026-08-31T15:45:31","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/?p=79185"},"modified":"2026-08-31T15:45:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:45:31","slug":"itadori-hardest-moment-shibuya-incident-79185","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/itadori-hardest-moment-shibuya-incident-79185\/","title":{"rendered":"Junya Enoki Reveals Itadori’s Hardest Moment in Jujutsu Kaisen"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Japan Expo Paris this past July, Junya Enoki, the voice behind Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em>, sat down for an exclusive interview<\/strong> during the anime’s 5th-anniversary celebrations. While fans across the globe wait for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4<\/a><\/em>, Enoki offered rare insight into the psychological weight of playing one of modern shonen’s most burdened protagonists. His revelations cut straight to the heart of the series: the Shibuya Incident, he confirmed, remains the single hardest moment for Itadori \u2014 a crucible of guilt and darkness that reshaped both the character and the story itself.<\/p>\n

Enoki’s candor during the conversation with European fans at the meet and greet, and later in this interview conducted with the assistance of an interpreter, provides a window into how a voice actor navigates the emotional terrain of a character who has become synonymous with suffering and endurance. The interview, portions of which have been edited for length and clarity, touches on everything from Itadori’s relationship with Sukuna to the physical demands of recording the series’ most intense scenes.<\/p>\n

The Shibuya Incident: Why Junya Enoki Calls It Itadori’s Darkest Hour<\/h2>\n

When asked directly about the hardest moment for Itadori across the anime’s three seasons, Enoki did not hesitate. “Definitely the Shibuya Incident, because many people died, and he thinks it’s his fault. When I tried to put myself in his shoes, I couldn’t bear the guilt and darkness.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

This answer is significant not only for its clarity but for what it reveals about Enoki’s approach to the role. The Shibuya Incident arc, which concluded in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2<\/a><\/em>, represents a narrative turning point where Itadori’s world collapses. Hundreds of civilians die. Satoru Gojo is sealed. Friends and mentors fall. And at the center of it all, Itadori is forced to confront the reality that Sukuna \u2014 the entity housed inside his own body \u2014 orchestrated much of the carnage. Enoki’s ability to articulate that guilt suggests a deep immersion in the character’s psychology.<\/p>\n

For viewers who have followed the series from its beginning, this moment crystallizes something they have likely felt but perhaps could not name. Itadori has always carried a weight disproportionate to his age and experience. The Shibuya Incident is where that weight becomes unbearable. Enoki’s performance in those episodes \u2014 a slow shift from righteous determination to hollow-eyed despair \u2014 now has a clear creative rationale behind it.<\/p>\n

How Enoki Approached the Psychological Split Between Itadori and Sukuna<\/h3>\n

One of the most challenging aspects of voicing Itadori is the constant presence of Sukuna, the ancient curse who shares his body. Enoki explained that this dynamic forced him to fundamentally change his approach to the character. “I had to change my approach to Itadori because of him. Sukuna, who is the character inside him, is the cause of all Itadori’s problems. Basically, Itadori is enduring a tough situation because of Sukuna. Itadori has to be very cautious as he can’t trust Sukuna.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

This distrust, Enoki noted, creates a constant underlying tension in every scene \u2014 but it does not erase the trust Itadori has in his friends. “But even if this was the way I approached my role, when he was interacting with his other friends, like Megumi and Nobara, I had to keep conveying the trust inside of him.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

This duality is what makes Enoki’s performance so compelling. Itadori must simultaneously be guarded against the monster within and open with the people who matter to him. Enoki’s recognition of this tightrope walk explains why the character never feels like a simple shonen archetype. He is not merely courageous or cheerful; he is someone who has learned to compartmentalize his terror.<\/p>\n

From First Impressions to Three Seasons: How Itadori Changed for Enoki<\/h2>\n

Every voice actor brings a first impression to a role, but few characters evolve as dramatically as Itadori has. Enoki reflected on how his understanding of the character has deepened since the beginning. “Itadori is a character who has been through a lot. As I mentioned, because of Sukuna he’s facing difficult circumstances and many people have died. I feel sorry for him.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The word “sorry” is striking. It suggests that Enoki does not simply see Itadori as a role to be performed but as a person whose suffering he has come to intimately understand. This sympathy is the foundation of his performance. When Itadori smiles, Enoki knows what lies beneath it. When Itadori screams, Enoki knows the specific flavor of pain behind that scream.<\/p>\n

For longtime fans of Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em>, this evolution mirrors their own. Early in the series, Itadori seemed like a classic shonen protagonist: physically gifted, morally grounded, eager to protect others. But as the story progressed, the genre subversion became clear. Gege Akutami was not writing a hero who would triumph through sheer willpower. He was writing a hero who would be systematically broken. Enoki’s vocal performance has tracked that arc with remarkable fidelity.<\/p>\n

What Enoki Would Say to Itadori: A Gesture That Speaks Volumes<\/h2>\n

When asked what he would say to Itadori if they could meet in real life, Enoki did not reach for a grand speech. Instead, his response was physical and immediate. “I would hug him [gestures hugging].”<\/strong><\/p>\n

This moment, brief as it was, encapsulates the relationship between actor and character. Enoki has spent years embodying a young man who has been denied comfort. The gesture of a hug \u2014 an act of wordless reassurance \u2014 suggests that even the voice actor recognizes that Itadori has endured more than words can address. It is a sentiment that will resonate with any viewer who has watched Itadori lose friend after friend, mentor after mentor, piece after piece of himself.<\/p>\n

If Enoki Could Play Any Other Jujutsu Kaisen Character<\/h3>\n

The interview took a lighter turn when Enoki was asked which character he would choose to voice if he could play anyone other than Itadori. His answer was unexpected and delivered with a knowing smile. “I would choose Inumaki because he doesn’t talk much. Itadori is always screaming, so Inumaki would be easier on my throat.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

This quip offers a glimpse into the physical demands of voice acting. Fans who have watched behind-the-scenes content from anime recording sessions know that screaming takes a toll. Itadori’s role is especially demanding because his emotional range goes from zero to one hundred with alarming frequency. Inumaki, who communicates primarily through preset “salmon” and “tuna” commands, represents a kind of vocal vacation.<\/p>\n

But the joke also carries a kernel of truth about the contrast between the two characters. Where Itadori is all open emotion and desperate effort, Inumaki is restraint and economy. Enoki’s choice reflects an appreciation for the<\/a> full spectrum of performance styles within the series.<\/p>\n

Enoki’s Favorite Jujutsu Kaisen Song and Why It Mirrors Itadori<\/h2>\n

Music has always been central to Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em>‘s identity, with opening and ending themes that capture the emotional core of each season. Enoki singled out one track in particular. “My favorite is the ending song ‘more than words’. It represents how Itadori feels. I really like this song.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

“More Than Words,” performed by Hitsujibungaku, served as the ending theme for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2<\/em>‘s Shibuya Incident arc. Its melancholic melody and lyrics about unspoken pain align perfectly with Itadori’s state of mind during that arc. Enoki’s identification with the song suggests that he hears in it the same emotional truth he tries to convey in his performance. When the credits rolled on those devastating episodes, the song was not just background music \u2014 it was Itadori’s internal monologue set to melody.<\/p>\n

Kirara: Enoki’s Favorite New Character from Season 3<\/h3>\n

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3<\/em>, which adapts the Culling Game arc, introduces a host of new characters. Enoki was asked if any stood out to him. “I like Kirara because the character’s power is interesting and unique. It’s actually very complex too. I also like the character’s visuals; Kirara has a very cute [appearance].”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kirara Hoshi, one of the Culling Game’s participants, possesses a cursed technique called “Love Rendezvous,” which involves manipulating the positions of marked objects and individuals. It is a power that requires strategic thinking and creates visually striking combat sequences. Enoki’s appreciation for the complexity of this ability reflects his broader interest in the mechanics of Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em>‘s world. Even as a voice actor, he engages with the series’ power system with a fan’s curiosity.<\/p>\n

The Physical and Mental Demands of Recording Jujutsu Kaisen<\/h2>\n

Voice acting is often discussed in terms of emotional delivery, but the physical reality is equally important. Enoki addressed this directly when asked about recording fight scenes that involve dialogue \u2014 particularly the famous “courtroom battle” between Itadori and Higuruma, voiced by Tomokazu Sugita. “For those kinds of scenes, it’s more about internal dialogue. I approach it as a fight with myself, an internal fight.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

This description reframes what viewers see on screen. The battle with Higuruma is a clash of ideologies and legal reasoning, not punches and kicks. But Enoki treats it with the same intensity as a physical confrontation. The “internal fight” he describes is the struggle to maintain Itadori’s moral clarity under pressure. It is a fight against doubt, against guilt, against the temptation to give in.<\/p>\n

This internal approach may explain why Enoki’s performance in the courtroom scene feels so gripping. Itadori is not just arguing with Higuruma; he is arguing with himself. Every line Enoki delivers carries the weight of a young man trying to convince himself that he still deserves to live.<\/p>\n

Enoki’s Message to Overseas Fans: “I’ll Scream a Lot”<\/h2>\n

As the interview wound down, Enoki was given the opportunity to address international fans directly. His message was characteristically heartfelt and self-deprecating. “I know that a lot of people in France and worldwide love Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em>. Right now, we are working on the next season, so I’ll do my best and scream a lot. Please look forward to Season 4 when it comes out.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The promise to “scream a lot” is both a joke and a guarantee. Anyone familiar with the Culling Game arc knows that Itadori’s journey only grows more brutal. The quiet days of school life and cursed womb missions are long behind him. Enoki’s acknowledgment that Season 4 will demand even more vocal intensity is a signal to fans: the story is not softening, and neither is his performance.<\/p>\n

The mention of the next season being in production will also reassure fans who have been anxious about the anime’s timeline. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4<\/em> has been confirmed, and with Enoki already at work, the wait may be shorter than anticipated.<\/p>\n

Why the Shibuya Incident Remains the Series’ Defining Trauma<\/h2>\n

Enoki’s identification of the Shibuya Incident as Itadori’s hardest moment is worth examining in the broader context of Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em>‘s narrative structure. The incident is not just a single event but a cascade of horrors. It begins with Itadori’s desperate attempt to stop Mahito and ends with him covered in blood, unable to save anyone. Along the way, he watches Nanami die, is forced to fight his friend Todo in a broken state, and ultimately triggers Sukuna’s rampage that kills hundreds.<\/p>\n

What makes the Shibuya Incident uniquely devastating is that Itadori cannot blame anyone else. He carries the responsibility because he allowed Sukuna to take control, even though he did so to save his friends. The guilt is rational and irrational simultaneously \u2014 the kind of guilt that does not respond to logic. Enoki’s description of “the guilt and darkness” as something he could not bear even in imagination speaks to the skill of Gege Akutami’s writing. Itadori is not a victim of circumstance; he is a victim of his own choices, made under impossible pressure.<\/p>\n

For viewers, this is what separates Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em> from more conventional shonen. The hero does not emerge stronger from his trials. He emerges scarred, quieter, and fundamentally changed. Enoki’s voice acting in the post-Shibuya episodes reflects this transformation. Itadori still fights, but the brightness has gone out of him. The screams are angrier. The silences are heavier.<\/p>\n

The Significance of “More Than Words” as Itadori’s Emotional Anthem<\/h3>\n

Enoki’s choice of “More Than Words” as his favorite song from the series aligns perfectly with his understanding of the character. The song’s lyrics speak to feelings that cannot be expressed, to love and pain that exceed language. Itadori has always been a character of action rather than introspection. He does not sit and analyze his emotions; he channels them into movement. But the Shibuya Incident forces him into a stillness that is foreign to him. In that stillness, the song’s melancholy finds a home.<\/p>\n

The connection between voice actor and theme song also highlights how deeply Enoki has internalized Itadori’s psychology. He does not just perform the character; he listens to the character. The song is his interpretation of Itadori’s inner world, presented in musical form.<\/p>\n

The Future: What Season 4 Means for Itadori and Enoki<\/h2>\n

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4<\/em> will adapt the latter half of the Culling Game arc, a stretch of the manga that pushes Itadori to even darker places. Without venturing into spoiler territory, it is safe to say that Enoki will have ample opportunity to fulfill his promise of screaming. The Culling Game is a battle royale where sorcerers and cursed users fight to the death, and Itadori is forced into alliances, betrayals, and confrontations that test every facet of his character.<\/p>\n

The first trailer for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4<\/em> has already been revealed, offering glimpses of the new visual style and the high-stakes action that awaits. For fans who have followed the manga, the trailer confirms that the production team is maintaining the quality that has defined the series. For anime-only viewers, the coming season promises to be the most intense yet.<\/p>\n

Enoki’s preparation for these scenes, as he described, involves an internal approach. He is not just screaming into a microphone; he is fighting himself. That struggle is what elevates his performance beyond mere vocal technique. When Itadori screams in Season 4, the audience will hear not just a character in pain but a voice actor who understands that pain intimately.<\/p>\n

Reflections on the Interview: What It Reveals About Voice Acting and Character<\/h2>\n

This interview with Junya Enoki offers more than just answers to specific questions. It reveals the methodology behind one of anime’s most acclaimed vocal performances. Enoki does not approach Itadori as a collection of lines to be read. He approaches him as a person whose circumstances demand empathy. Every choice \u2014 from the guilt of the Shibuya Incident to the hug he would offer \u2014 is rooted in an understanding that Itadori is not a typical hero. He is a boy who has been given an impossible burden and is crumbling under it.<\/p>\n

For fans of Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em>, this insight deepens the experience of watching the series. The screams and whispers and silences are not random. They are the result of disciplined thought and genuine feeling. Enoki has spent years inside Itadori’s head, and he has emerged with a profound respect for the character’s endurance.<\/p>\n

As Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em> continues its run, Enoki will be there, screaming into the void on behalf of a character who cannot stop fighting. The interview confirms what attentive viewers have long suspected: the voice behind Itadori is not just a performer. He is a witness to the character’s suffering, and he carries that witnessing into every session. Season 4 will test both of them. But if Enoki’s preparation and dedication are any indication, they will emerge on the other side together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At Japan Expo Paris this past July, Junya Enoki, the voice behind Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen, sat down for an exclusive interview during the anime’s 5th-anniversary celebrations. While fans across the globe wait for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 4, Enoki offered rare insight into the psychological weight of playing one of modern shonen’s most burdened […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":82563,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cards.overcentral.com\/cards\/en\/79185.png","fifu_image_alt":"Junya Enoki Reveals Itadori's Hardest Moment in Jujutsu Kaisen","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79185","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anime"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cards.overcentral.com\/cards\/en\/79185.png","fifu_image_alt":"Junya Enoki Reveals Itadori's Hardest Moment in Jujutsu Kaisen","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79185","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79185"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79185\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overcentral.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}