When adapting the manga Jujutsu Kaisen into an anime, the animation studio MAPPA made some small but noteworthy changes to the character designs originally created by author Gege Akutami.
One area where several alterations were made was the eye color of certain characters.
Though a subtle detail, eye color can reflect deeper aspects of a character’s personality according to color symbolism. As the common saying goes, “The eyes are the windows to the soul.”
So MAPPA’s modifications to some characters’ iris hues likely aimed to better capture their essence or align with the overarching story.
While staying faithful to the manga overall, these animated adaptations provided MAPPA an opportunity to put their own interpretive spin on things.
This article takes a closer look at which jujutsu sorcerers and cursed beings had their eye color changed between the manga and anime versions.
It analyzes possible symbolic reasons behind these alterations and what that might indicate about who the characters fundamentally are on the inside beneath their striking exteriors.
MAPPA Changed The Eye Color Of These Characters
Here is the list of characters whose eye color has been changed by MAPPA, as compared to the original art style by Gege Akutami.
Megumi Fushiguro
Megumi Fushiguro, one of Jujutsu Kaisen’s central characters, received a small but meaningful alteration to his appearance when transitioned from manga to anime.
Specifically, his vivid green eyes described in Gege Akutami’s original artwork were changed to a dark blue hue by the show’s animation team at MAPPA.
This modification to Megumi’s eye color was likely intentional rather than a random creative choice or oversight. The somber navy blue likely better reflects his serious, no-nonsense personality and troubled past than bright green would.
It also visually complements his dark hair and clothing, reflecting a darker inner world beneath his attractive exterior.
Additionally, this eye color switch arguably meshes better with the overall ominous tone and supernatural themes of Jujutsu Kaisen’s storyline.
Intense blue suits Megumi’s intricate Cursed Technique and the dangerous domains he conjures, not to mention his daunting reputation as a formidable jujutsu sorcerer at such a young age.
So in the anime adaptation process, MAPPA seems to have felt dark blue eyes enhanced Megumi’s character and his role within the larger arc of the show versus adhering directly to the manga’s original emerald iris description.
Subtle tweaks like this eye color change demonstrate the complex considerations and artistic license that come into play when transitioning a popular manga like Jujutsu Kaisen into an animated format for the screen.
Both mediums have strengths in portraying characters, so justified alterations can maximize what works best in each.
Mei Mei
Mei Mei, a Grade 1 jujutsu sorcerer, received an eye color modification between the Jujutsu Kaisen manga and anime as well. Originally drawn with brown eyes by Gege Akutami, MAPPA’s animated adaptation depicted Mei Mei’s irises as a light purple lilac hue instead.
This alteration seems an intentional attempt to have Mei Mei’s eyes better reflect her youthful spirit and pride in maintaining a cute, childlike appearance despite her actual age.
The light purple evokes themes of innocence and playfulness true to her vain personality. It also coordinates well with her pastel hair and clothing palette.
Beyond the symbolic meaning behind the new eye color, the change also helped visually distinguish Mei Mei from other brown-eyed figures in the series.
And with her tendency to operate independently and sometimes surprisingly reappear at Jujutsu High due to behind-the-scenes financial deals, her distinctive lighter eyes set her apart.
Given she was a senior to both Gojo Satoru and Suguru Geto back when they were students, Mei Mei’s lengthy experience in jujutsu is easy to forget next to her youthful looks.
But the bright lilac eyes in MAPPA’s adaptation seem to hint at knowledge and talents lying beneath the surface. Thus the alteration not only fits Mei Mei’s character design but also quietly underscores there is more to her than meets the eye.
Toji Fushiguro
Considered damn near perfect in power and skill, even the formidable Toji Fushiguro received a subtle design modification between the Jujutsu Kaisen manga and anime adaptation.
Originally intended to have piercing green eyes, MAPPA’s animated version depicts the Sorcerer Killer with dark blue irises matching his son Megumi’s instead.
This minor tweak to Toji’s eye color may seem a strange choice given his established greatness in the story. But it arguably adds chilling depth to his intense gaze, better communicating hidden facets within his character not immediately apparent.
The somber blue eyes coordinate with his cold, dangerous assassin skills and brutal fighting style more so than vibrant green, despite subtle hints of warmth towards Megumi.
It also quietly underscores the irony around Toji—that despite having no Cursed Energy whatsoever, he stands unmatched as arguably the strongest jujutsu sorcerer via raw power and talent alone.
His slate blue eyes seem to wordlessly convey this complex duality in a way green might not have delivered as effectively. Not to mention the symbolic Bond shared with his son Megumi thanks to their now matching eye color in the anime.
So in Toji’s case, the simple eye color edit by MAPPA retains his magnificence while adding deeper dimension through color symbolism and ties back to son Megumi’s own shift in eye hue.
Thus the change was likely deemed to enhance his aura, background, and relationships within the darker Jujutsu Kaisen world rather than detracting from the original.
Shoko Ieiri
Shoko Ieiri plays a vital supporting role in Jujutsu Kaisen as the medical expert behind healing and rehabilitating injured jujutsu sorcerers.
Originally conceived with black eyes in the manga per Gege Akutami’s vision, the anime adaptation by MAPPA portrays Shoko with softer brown irises instead. Her hair color also changed along with the eyes between versions.
This modification was likely done to have Shoko’s overall look better reflect her gentle, compassionate nature so integral to her unique skillset.
As one of the rare few sorcerers capable of wielding positive energy via her Reverse Cursed Technique, warm brown eyes coordinate well with her abilities centered around healing, repairing, and caring for others.
It also helps distinguish Shoko’s appearance from other black-haired, black-eyed characters prominent throughout the series.
The brown eyes signal there is more nuance to this gifted young woman than the normalcy she believes herself to lack.
Much like the vital aid she provides Jujutsu High behind the scenes, Shoko’s eye color change quietly underscores the understated wisdom and strength she brings to this dangerous world.
So for this valuable support character, a simple tweak from black to brown iris color by the anime team allowed Shoko Ieiri’s eyes to become a subtle testament to the restorative light she selflessly offers to those who fight on the darker fringes of society.
Toge Inumaki
One of the most distinctive jujutsu sorcerers in Jujutsu Kaisen is a Semi-Grade 1 student, Toge Inumaki, who wields the rare Cursed Speech technique inherited from his clan.
Originally conceived with regular brown eyes in the manga, the anime adaptation takes creative liberty by instead depicting this character’s irises as a striking violet-purple hue.
This eye color change seems intended to visually set apart the Cursed Speech sorcerer in a way befitting his unique talents. The vivid violet not only stands out from other brown-eyed figures but also coordinates well with the ominous nature of his abilities.
By infusing Cursed Energy into commanding statements, he can force absolute obedience from anyone who hears him speak.
The eye color modification also subtly hints at the willpower this sorcerer must summon to keep his power in check, avoiding misuse.
The more demanding the Cursed Speech order, the greater the physical toll inflicted back upon himself. So the bright purple eyes reflect the constant inner battle behind this double-edged skillset.
Overall, the anime’s alteration from mundane brown to vivid violet iris color serves to make the already exceptional Cursed Speech Student instantly more distinctive and memorable.
It is a simple but meaningful change for this supporting character that aptly underscores his complexity hidden behind a seemingly average exterior.
Yuki Tsukumo
As one of only four elite Special Grade jujutsu sorcerers, the fiercely independent Yuki Tsukumo originally had distinctive pink eyes when conceived in Gege Akutami’s manga.
However, Jujutsu Kaisen’s anime adaptation took creative license by instead depicting Yuki with more commonplace brown irises.
This change from the manga’s unusual pink eyes to a darker, earthier brown hue was likely intended to make Yuki’s appearance seem a bit more grounded and realistic to match her stern, no-nonsense personality.
The brown also gives her more of a subtle Western look befitting someone who bucks the establishment and chooses to operate outside traditional Japanese jujutsu circles.
While vibrant pink eyes coordinate well with Yuki’s light hair and pastel wardrobe choices, brown makes more sense for a battle-hardened sorcerer focused solely on the larger goal of creating a Curse-free world.
It diminishes any softness or whimsy pink that might imply presenting Yuki as the tough, complex figure she needs to be.
So for this uniquely powerful and headstrong character, Jujutsu Kaisen’s animation team felt altering the original eye color to plainer brown was a better fit than adhering directly to the manga’s pink.
It lends more gravity and nuance to Yuki overall while still preserving all the skill and enigma surrounding someone so divorced from the very system she aims to change.
Suguru Geto
Suguru Geto underwent a dramatic fall from grace throughout Jujutsu Kaisen’s backstory, transforming from a promising Jujutsu High student into the notorious villain labeled the worst of all sorcerers.
Originally designed with uniquely purple eyes in the manga, Geto’s anime adaptation by MAPPA features more nondescript brown irises instead.
This alteration from vivid purple to mundane brown was likely an attempt to make Geto’s initial innocent, compassionate nature feel more believable before tragedy warped him.
The soft brown eyes coordinate better with his former caring personality as an honorable sorcerer in training alongside Gojo and Shoko.
The change also heightens the contrast once Geto snaps, unable to reconcile his duties with his hatred of non-sorcerers after a devastating massacre.
Had Geto retained unique purple eyes from the start, it may have lessened the impact of him shattering expectations by turning murderous and vengeful later on.
So in Geto’s case, the anime team’s choice to normalize his eye color to brown suggests a conscious decision to make his fall from righteous student to the story’s central villain feel more pronounced.
It perhaps makes his eventual madness and extremism traceable back to a brighter-eyed boy who might have been saved under different circumstances.
About Jujutsu Kaisen
Yuji Itadori starts off as an extraordinarily athletic high school student who swallows a cursed finger to save his friends, becoming the reluctant host of the sinister spirit Ryomen Sukuna.
This leads him to the world of jujutsu sorcery, where he gets taken in by eccentric teacher Satoru Gojo rather than being immediately executed as required.
Gojo sees potential in using Yuji and his unique link to Sukuna for good.
So while battling his own inner darkness, Yuji joins fellow first-years Megumi and Nobara as a jujutsu sorcery student. He must learn to control the immensely powerful being now sharing his body and balance its murderous impulses with his innate desire to help people.
Over time, a complex relationship between the boy and the demon develops.
Yuji subsequently finds himself caught in the middle of several larger threats facing jujutsu society—a wave of coordinated attacks from cursed spirits like Mahito, a scheme by the Kyoto faction to assassinate him, and a plan by revived villain Suguru Geto to eradicate non-sorcerers. But his singular willpower and compassion change allies and enemies alike.
Through all the supernatural disasters and politics surrounding someone hosting such a destructive entity, Yuji remains grounded by human bonds.
He draws strength from friends and teachers while walking the line between good and necessary evil. His journey epitomizes the wider themes of moral gray areas and inner darkness that confront the sorcerers of Jujutsu Kaisen.
