by The third season of the TV anime Jujutsu Kaisen, officially titled “Death Tour Part 1,” began airing late at night on January 8 with a one-hour special covering Episodes 48 and 49. Almost immediately, one character dominated online discussion: Zen’in Naoya.
Known among fans as a “scumbag character,” Naoya made an unforgettable—and deeply controversial—entrance. His barrage of sexist, arrogant, and deliberately provocative remarks left many viewers stunned, prompting reactions such as “Is this really okay to broadcast on terrestrial TV?” and “He’s absolute trash… but that’s exactly why he works as a character.”
Who Is Zen’in Naoya? A Beginner-Friendly Breakdown
For viewers new to Jujutsu Kaisen, Zen’in Naoya is a member of the powerful and deeply conservative Zen’in clan, one of the three major jujutsu families in the series. He is the son of Zen’in Naobito, the clan’s 26th head, and grew up in an environment that valued bloodline, power, and rigid gender roles above all else.
Naoya:
- Has extreme pride in his lineage
- Looks down on both men and women he considers “inferior”
- Embodies the worst traditions of the Zen’in family
From the moment he appears, it becomes clear that Naoya exists to personify the ugliness of outdated values that the story itself strongly criticizes.
Episode 48: A Non-Stop Stream of Problematic Remarks
In Episode 48, Naoya wastes no time shocking viewers. His most talked-about line is directed at his cousin Zen’in Maki, a fan-favorite character known for rejecting the Zen’in clan’s misogynistic ideology. Naoya sneers:
“A woman who can’t walk three steps behind a man should be stabbed in the back and die.”
He then continues with insults aimed at his own relatives, dismissing them with lines like:
- “All my brothers are useless.”
- “(Zen’in Jin’ichi) has a bad face.”
To make matters worse, Naoya casually orders the women of the Zen’in household to tie the strings of his straw sandals—treating it as an obvious, unquestionable duty. Notably, this sandal-tying scene is anime-original, added specifically to emphasize his personality visually as well as verbally.
Why Add Even More Offensive Behavior in the Anime?
Some viewers questioned why the anime would go so far, especially in an era where sensitivity toward gender issues is far higher. However, many fans and critics agree on an important point:
Naoya is not meant to be admired.
His exaggerated sexism and arrogance serve a narrative purpose:
- To highlight how rotten the Zen’in clan’s ideology is
- To contrast sharply with characters like Maki, who actively fight against it
- To make his eventual downfall or opposition more satisfying
In other words, the discomfort viewers feel is intentional.
“He’s Trash, but That’s Why He’s Popular” — Fan Reactions Explode
Despite or perhaps because of his appalling behavior, Naoya quickly trended on social media. Reactions included:
- “He’s seriously trash (compliment).”
- “I can’t believe they aired this… but wow, the voice acting is incredible.”
- “I hate him so much that I kind of love how well he’s written.”
This paradoxical popularity comes from how well the character fulfills his role. Voiced by Koji Yusa, Naoya’s smug tone and cutting delivery amplify the discomfort, making him one of the most memorable antagonistic personalities introduced so far.
Context Matters: Jujutsu Kaisen Is Critiquing, Not Endorsing
It’s important especially for beginner viewers to understand that Jujutsu Kaisen consistently portrays oppressive traditions as something to be challenged and destroyed. Naoya’s values are shown as:
- Outdated
- Cruel
- Ultimately self-destructive
Characters like Maki exist specifically to dismantle this worldview, and Naoya’s extreme behavior only strengthens the audience’s emotional investment in seeing that change happen.
What to Watch for Next
With “Death Tour Part 1” just beginning, Naoya’s role is likely far from over. Viewers can expect:
- Escalating tension within the Zen’in clan
- Direct ideological and physical clashes
- Deeper exploration of how cursed traditions shape—and ruin—people
Whether you despise him or find him darkly fascinating, Zen’in Naoya has already proven one thing: he leaves an impact.
Final Thoughts
Zen’in Naoya’s debut in Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 48 is deliberately uncomfortable, shockingly blunt, and impossible to ignore. His sexist remarks feel wildly out of place in the Reiwa era—and that’s exactly the point. By pushing viewers to react, the series reinforces its core message: traditions that dehumanize others deserve to be confronted head-on.
As the story moves forward, fans will be watching closely not because they agree with Naoya, but because they’re eager to see how the world of Jujutsu Kaisen responds to someone like him.
