In the latest popularity poll in Japan, the 5th place belongs to one of the most cruel villains in the series, causing even his voice actor to express confusion.
One of the most appealing aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen is the way it separates main character Itadori Yuji from the spotlight, allowing other characters to shine on screen, creating variety in the story’s progression. Therefore, it is not surprising that Gojo Satoru is the most popular character, not Yuji (according to a poll about the popularity of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga in Japan).
However, the shocking thing in this poll is that the 5th place belongs to Naoya Zenin, one of the most evil villains of Jujutsu Kaisen, with irredeemable characteristics. Even Naoya’s voice actor, Koji Yusa, called the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom’s choice questionable due to the character’s hideous nature.
Naoya Zenin is one of the worst characters in Jujutsu Kaisen
Naoya Zenin – son of Naobito Zenin and 26th generation patriarch of the Zenin Family, is one of the main villains appearing in the next season of Jujutsu Kaisen. Despite his infamous nature, Naoya remains one of the most popular characters among fans, with a popularity poll ranking him fifth among Jujutsu Kaisen’s most iconic characters.
This poll ranked him higher than Yuta Okkotsu, Choso, and even the manga’s main villain – Ryomen Sukuna.
The results of this poll are astonishing, considering the despicable nature of Naoya, whose horrifying actions are some of the worst in the series. The voice actor for Naoya Zenin – Koji Yusa expressed concern about this character’s reputation:
“I’ve seen popularity polls in manga volumes, and for some reason he’s near the top. With that personality? He just keeps saying the most horrible things so casually… I understand the feeling of ‘Oh my god, it must be nice to let it all out like that’, so maybe it’s true. He has high self-esteem and skills, so he says whatever he says. But the content of what he said still shocks me. It’s hard to understand when a character Things like him are so loved.” — Koji Yusa
Naoya Zenin is a literal roughneck, with the special abilities of a level 1 spellcaster. As the leader of the Hei, a group of the Zenin family’s strongest spellcasters, Noaya’s power is formidable.
His Projection Sorcery turns one second into 24 frames, allowing him to predict his next moves and counterattack.
However, Naoya’s misogynistic actions towards Maki and Mai further prove his pride and badness. Driven by the desire to become the sole heir of the Zenin family, Naoya committed depraved acts. He is a product of the Zenin clan spirit, which preys on the weak and incompetent, which is why his hatred for his female cousins is obvious.
Ultimately, Naoya does not deserve the popularity he attracts, as his popularity comes from his anti-feminist views and cruel actions.
There are many other Jujutsu Kaisen characters that deserve attention
The popularity poll rated the top three characters correctly, with Gojo Satori, Itadori Yuuji, and Megumi Fushiguro deserving first, second, and third place.
However, Naoya’s appearance in 5th place is a big question mark. Characters like Yuta Okkotsu or iconic anti-hero Toji Zenin have a more positive impact on the plot, enough to replace Naoya’s position. Even Nobara’s 14th rank is shocking when compared to his position.
By all accounts, this poll shows a persistent problem with the choices of an extremist fan base.
