Jujutsu Kaisen has always been an anime devoid of romantic relationships as it frequently relies on its action-packed element to attract viewers. Yet, many viewers are taken aback by the sudden introduction of Yuko Ozawa, who is believed to be the love interest of the protagonist, Yuji Itadori.
However, much to the audience’s surprise, the character was supposed to be introduced in the anime in the first season rather than in the second one. According to the original manga, Yuko was initially introduced as Itadori’s classmate in junior high school, but anime changed it.
In reality, Yuko had a crush on Yuji Itadori in high school because, unlike her fellow schoolmates who used to pick on her for being overweight, Itadori was always kind to her and smiled regardless of the situation. Unfortunately, she couldn’t confess her feelings to him due to low self-esteem.
While there is much more about her than meets the eye, read on to learn more about the character’s importance in the anime and how she will influence Itadori as his love interest.
Who Is Yuko Ozawa?
Yuko Ozawa is a minor character in Jujutsu Kaisen who is introduced in the sixth episode of the second season. She is a tall girl with brownish-blonde hair and has a timid nature; perhaps it has something to do with her past.
During junior high school, she was overweight, due to which Yuko was always the center of insulting jokes. Although she liked Yuji for being kind and cheerful, she couldn’t summon the courage to reveal her feelings. However, she did manage to take a photo together on their graduation day, which is a start.
While there isn’t much anime revealed about Yuko apart from her backstory during junior high school and how she used to have a crush on the protagonist, Itadori, it does emphasize her role as the main female love interest.
Does Itadori Like Yuko?
Itadori is a typical Shonen main character who doesn’t know anything other than being righteous and kind to others. So, many fans expect him to see Yuko in the same bearing as a friend and, if possible, more.
Although it was a short glimpse, Yuji Itadori does like Yuko, but it was not specified in a romantic fashion but more of a choice. During their junior high days, Yuko overhears Yuji’s conversation with his friends, where he says that he likes the way she eats and writes.
While this heavily influenced her likeness to Itadori, she eventually moved to Tokyo after their graduation, resulting in her losing weight and growing 15 centimeters tall.
So, even though that was in the past, she appears in the sixth episode of the second season to ask Nobara whether Itadori has a girlfriend. While she isn’t sure herself, Nobara summons Megumi since he knows much more about Itadori than herself.
However, Megumi blatantly claims he doesn’t believe Itadori has a girlfriend. When asked what type of girl Itadori likes, Megumi replies, “tall” which works well with Yuko as she’s grown quite tall and slender since a year ago.
All things aside, despite Yuko’s uncertainty about Itadori remembering her, he instantly recognizes her after Nobara calls him. Unfortunately, Yuko doesn’t reveal her feelings once again since she doesn’t want to be liked based solely on her looks and eventually leaves before giving her contact information to Nobara.
The whole setup seems as if the anime is setting up an endgame for Yuji Itadori when the story reaches a conclusion, and everyone clearly knows that Nobara and Itadori are better as friends than lovers.
So, what is your take on the new episode of Jujutsu Kaisen? Do you think Yuji Itadori will end up with Yuko Ozawa by the end of the anime?
Let us know your stance in the comment section below.
