Has Fantasy Anime’s New King Finally Replaced Gojo?

The endless allure of a white-haired, morally gray protagonist has doubled as a greatly welcome anime stereotype. In the wake of Satoru Gojo’s devastating demise in Jujutsu Kaisen, Witch Hat Atelier may have introduced the next snow-haired sensation.

Qifrey’s introduction in Witch Hat Atelier has been universally welcomed, and as the manga progresses deeper into its anime, his bewitching presence is enough to captivate fans as they tune in episode after episode. On a surface level, it’s incredibly easy to point at Qifrey and declare him to be the more spellbinding Gojo due to such strikingly similar appearances. As Jujutsu Kaisen shifts into a new era that sets Gojo to the side momentarily, Qifrey’s prominence in Witch Hat Atelier becomes more demanding. Has anime finally found its new Gojo?

Both Gojo and Qifrey seem to be undeniably interchangeable on a surface level, with more than just their physical characteristics serving as the direct means of comparison. Both serve as powerful mentors, guiding the next generation of talent through challenging worlds while facing impossible threats. Viewed as exceptional, it’s fair to understand that Gojo and Qifrey aren’t to be seen as rivals. Instead, they’re paralleled to one another through alternative perspectives. Gojo’s representation of strength complements Qifrey’s overflowing wisdom. When thrust into the adoring view of the internet, though, it may feel as if Gojo is temporarily replaced.

Satoru Gojo’s Unbudging Status As The Anime “It” Boy

The sensationalism around Gojo has been astronomical following the destined popularity of Jujutsu Kaisen, which was naturally bound to take hold of entertainment media. Even beyond anime and manga, Gojo’s presence was felt, and the Honored One felt inescapable through immeasurable popularity. The adoration of Saturo Gojo was inevitable: from those who resonated with the most powerful being grappling with unforgiving loneliness to those who were drawn to the silkenness of his voice, Gojo was destined to become anime’s next “it” boy. Perhaps not the first nor the last time that anime will see this phenomenon take hold of the industry as a whole, though Gojo’s measureless scale as the current anime “it” boy has guaranteed that it’ll be a challenge to see him overlooked permanently.

It’s not a guarantee that every male anime character will be promised the fame and glory of being the most sought-after and adored. Countless have attempted to reach the same untouchable level of stardom that Gojo has achieved, yet the legacy he’s left behind has become nearly inaccessible to those who are determined to break free of his shadow. Long-established genre icons such as Sebastian Michaelis, Levi Ackerman, or Kakashi Hatake have broken ground for the mass attraction given to Gojo, and it’s established that he’s unwilling to sacrifice his prominence in today’s entertainment landscape. Long after his death in Jujutsu Kaisen, fans are unwilling to move on from the fall of Saturo Gojo.

Few anime characters have transcended the screen in the same manner as Gojo, though he’s formulated in such a meticulous manner that he is bound to captivate anyone who catches a glimpse of the character. Crafted to stand out with an unforgettable character design, Gojo’s visual appeal is paired with both personality and power fantasy. Matched with perfect poise for social media-ability, Gojo has effortlessly proved himself to be one of anime’s biggest faces of the 2020s, when he’s not always standing as the center of attention.

Can Qifrey Really Dethrone Gojo?

To defeat Satoru Gojo is a mighty feat, which one might presume to be impossible before his ultimate demise. From a fan affiliation standpoint, it’s a challenge within itself to attempt to reach the status that Gojo is on. When overlooking their power structure, knowing that Gojo’s dominance will most often allow him to reign supreme through sheer ability alone, Qifrey and Gojo share a similar narrative NDA. One may be more rooted in tragedy than the other, but beneath the constitution of physical ability alone, Gojo and Qifrey feel fairly synonymous.

On a granular level, Qifrey is naturally different than Gojo. Their personalities cannot be comparable. It’s impossible to confidently gamble on Qifrey’s popularity surpassing Gojo, though there is one notion where one dethrones the other — writing. Gojo’s legacy has been firmly cemented for the foreseeable future, yet it’s how Qifrey is written that may truly “dethrone” Gojo. The way Qifrey is written both in the manga and in the anime propose a gentle-yet-obsessive enticement about him. Gojo’s maximalism feels bombastic compared to Qifrey’s more refined and composed nature as he conceals his true power. Perhaps Witch Hat Atelier has leveraged the visual appeal of Qifrey looking like Gojo in its favor to lure in new audiences, while knowing that he’ll never dominate the popularity that Gojo has created for himself.

Gojo hasn’t been replaced, but it’s wickedly coincidental that he’s been reflected by more than just the likeness of a character who’s strikingly similar. Gojo is fascinating because his attraction comes from being larger than life; Qifrey offers his own allure through his nurturing-yet-manipulative nature. Qifrey may be complex, but it’s Gojo who refuses to sacridice his reputation of being beloved on a universal level.

Both Witch Hat Atelier and Jujutsu Kaisen are streaming on Crunchyroll.

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