The Surprising Naruto Character Who Actually Inspired Jujutsu Kaisen's Gojo

Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen is often compared to Naruto's Kakashi Hatake by anime fans. However, it is believed that another character served as the inspiration for Yuji Itadori's mentor. According to Twitter, Gojo drew inspiration from Tonbo Tobitake, a shinobi from Naruto who may not be as well-known as other characters from the popular series.

Kakashi has long been a beloved character since the start of Naruto. He played the role of a mentor to Team 7, and his iconic white hair, along with his forehead protector that covered his eye, made him easily recognizable among Konoha's elite shinobi. The Sharingan, which was visible in his eye, granted him tremendous power throughout the original series.

Gojo's Design Isn't Inspired By Kakashi

Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, recently shared a quote on Twitter discussing the design of Gojo and the influence of Naruto on the series. Both Naruto and Jujutsu Kaisen follow a young protagonist who acts impulsively but is fiercely protective of others, all while being inhabited by a powerful entity capable of causing widespread devastation. Naruto and Itadori can be seen as living prisons, striving to become stronger. Given these similarities, it's not surprising that connections between the two series would be made, including the design of each protagonist's mentor. Interestingly, Akutami reveals that Tonbo Tobitake, a minor character in Naruto, served as inspiration for Gojo's appearance.

Akutami explains that Gojo's character design was not primarily influenced by Kakashi-sensei, but rather by the proctor who wore bandages and a blindfold during the second phase of the Chuunin Exams. This character design made a lasting impression on Akutami, and when they later asked Kishimoto-sensei about it, he seemed unaware of the character.

As stated in the quote, Tonbo Tobitake serves as a proctor during the Chunin Exams. He made his initial appearance in the third episode of Naruto and chapter 40 of the manga. His head and upper face are mostly concealed by the bandages enveloping his head, while his forehead protector is positioned over his eyes. Although Gojo also has a covering over his eye, he occasionally removes it to utilize his Six Eyes jujutsu. It is understandable that this characteristic might appear to be influenced by Kakashi's Sharingan, especially considering that both characters sport spiky white hair.

Tobitake, although not widely recognized, remains a character with limited exceptional abilities in the world of Naruto. Presently, his role appears rather ordinary, except for his role as a Chunin within the Konohagakure Intelligence Division, dedicated to gathering and analyzing information. It is worth noting that Tobitake does bear some resemblance to Kakashi Hitake, but it must be emphasized that Satoru Gojo was not directly modeled after the renowned Naruto mentor.

Source: @kishimotomasshi/Twitter