Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is here, and fans are excited to see what the third season has in store for them. Of course, we’ll get that answer as the season unfolds with further episodes. We recently got a chance to interview Adam McArthur, Yuji’s English VA, who had some very interesting things to say about Yuji and JJK Season 3. On top of that, McArthur talked about his VA career, martial arts, video games, and much more. So, without wasting any more time, let’s get started.
Adam McArthur Breaks Down Yuji’s Character Ahead of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3
Aparna: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is around the corner. So, how excited are you? Because I know that I am really excited about it.
Adam: I’m very much looking forward to JJK Season 3. The movie kicked it off in a really awesome way. I enjoyed getting back to the recording studio weekly. I think we have a lot of good things to look forward to this season.
This reply intrigued me, so I just took the chance and asked him to spill the beans on why fans should get excited about the new season of Jujutsu Kaisen. He replied that if the animation quality and the voice acting in Season 2 didn’t hype fans already, they should really look forward to the third season. That’s because it has several amazing things to offer.
Without getting into spoilers, we also meet amazing new characters in Season 3. Many of them are the fan-favorites, whom the manga readers have been eagerly waiting to see animated. Some really great additions are coming. Most importantly, JJK Season 3 pushes Yuji into one of the darkest phases of his journey so far.
Well, after whatever the series has put Yuji through in the second season, his plunging into the darkest phase was inevitable.
Aparna: How would you describe Yuji’s emotional state at this point in the story compared to the first two seasons?
Adam: I think the reality of what happened in Shibuya has really sunk in for Yuji. He’s starting to accept what his fate is as a jujutsu sorcerer. He has people in his ear reminding him that they’re not heroes; they’re jujutsu sorcerers. He also has his best friend, Todo, telling him that no matter what happens, he has to keep moving forward. And I think Yuji is finally beginning to understand that. He’s maturing right before our eyes, realizing that he has to carry all of it, because he doesn’t really have a choice.
In excitement, I asked Adam how he approaches a character like Yuji, whose beliefs are constantly tested, and his response truly stayed with me.
Adam: It’s actually really fun. The writing is incredible, and it gives me so much to work with as a voice actor. I try to take it scene by scene and meet Yuji exactly where he is emotionally. For example, during the Shibuya Incident, when Yuji regains control of his body from Sukuna and sees the devastation, my job is to figure out what he’s truly feeling in that moment. Of course, there’s sadness, but there’s also immense grief and guilt.
Those are deeply human emotions that we’ve all experienced at some point. So I stay in touch with my own feelings and personal experiences and find ways to connect them to Yuji, especially as he’s placed in these intense, unique situations.
Adam has been a part of one of the darkest shonen anime out there since the start. Also, anyone who has read the Jujutsu Kaisen manga knows how emotionally demanding being a fan of this series can be.
It actively plays with your mind; so obviously, I wanted to know if Adam ever got a chance to meet Akutami-San or the Japanese voice actor, Junya Enoki. I wanted to know whether he was guided by those who had met the character before him, or whether he interpreted Yuji entirely on his own.
Adam: I haven’t met Gege Akutami yet; that would be amazing, but I have met Junya Enoki, Yuji’s Japanese voice actor. He’s incredibly kind. We had a great conversation, spent some time together, and even took a few photos that I wasn’t allowed to post,” (laughs). Whether it’s anime or Western animation, you’re never building a character entirely on your own. I didn’t have to create Yuji from scratch. I watched Junya Enoki’s performance in the Japanese version, which gave me a strong foundation and a sense of the character. From there, it becomes a collaboration, and what I bring to the role, the director’s input, and the creative team all come together. That’s how we really hone the character.
While the audience sympathizes with Yuji for his suffering, the character has often shown the ability to lighten the tension using humor. This is a major aspect of Yuji’s character, and I was always curious about how voice actors behind the scenes handle such situations. I finally got the chance to ask Adam about this.
Aparna: Yuji uses humor and optimism to shield his pain. How do you approach balancing those moments with the darker emotional layers of the character?
Adam: Honestly, using humor during moments of tragedy or difficulty is very much an anime and a me-thing. That’s something I do in my own life, so bringing levity to heavier moments isn’t particularly difficult for me.
What’s harder is allowing myself to be emotionally vulnerable and fully honest in those really raw moments. As a person, I want everyone around me to feel okay and not worry about me, and sometimes that instinct keeps me from showing just how deeply I’m feeling. That actually mirrors Yuji Itadori in a big way. So getting the chance, particularly in Season 2, and even more so going into Season 3, to let those raw emotions surface has been incredibly rewarding. It’s about opening that door and letting the audience see straight into Yuji’s heart.
Aparna: As Sukuna’s influence continues to grow and Yuji’s sense of control begins to slip, does that psychological tension change how you approach delivering even the simplest lines?
Adam: Definitely. At this point, Yuji truly understands what Sukuna is capable of. It’s not that the early seasons weren’t chaotic, but the devastation of Shibuya really showed him just how much destruction Sukuna can cause. Yuji doesn’t want that to happen again, so he starts pushing people away; in fact, he starts believing no one should be around him anymore. That realization changes everything, and it absolutely affects how those moments are played.
His response made me think that Sukuna has used Yuji to commit some horrific acts, so the boy now knows the enemy’s potential, raising another question for me. Does Adam see Sukuna as an external threat or something slowly destroying Yuji from the inside? I was curious to know how his perspective shapes his performance as Yuji.
I think Sukuna is both an external and an internal threat to Yuji, and Yuji is very aware of Sukuna’s presence now. “That awareness changes a lot,” said Adam. He added that it strengthens Yuji’s resolve. When Yuji says he’ll stop Sukuna or that he has to get stronger, he truly means it. Adam believes Yuji when he says only he can consume Sukuna. Yuji’s belief in himself keeps growing even if he’s not fully confident yet.
There’s still doubt about whether he’s physically capable of pulling it off, but his determination to do it no matter what continues to harden. That growing resolve, and slowly building confidence absolutely influences the performance, especially in lines that reflects his internal struggle.”
Aparna: When Sukuna made Yuji his vessel, it was clear that he was destined for execution. So, when you first read the script and learned that this was the path laid out for him, what was your initial impression of the character?
Adam: Whenever a writer puts their main character in what feels like a tough position, I find that incredibly interesting. The idea that all of this is unfolding while there’s a ticking clock over Yuji’s head; he’s meant to be executed once this task is complete, fascinates me. It’s exciting to watch and see how that pressure shapes the story. Anytime a character is placed in such an extreme situation, I’m immediately invested. As I started reading the manga, I kept thinking, How is this going to play out? What happens to him in the end?’ That sense of uncertainty made the journey really exciting.
When I followed up by asking if he had read the entire manga, Adam said yes. In excitement, he hinted that the new season is going to be something truly special.
Aparna: Yuji has transitioned into an emotionally heavy character, so was there any specific scene or arc that really took an emotional toll on you?
Adam: Honestly, the entire Shibuya Incident was incredibly difficult. Whether it was what happened to Kento Nanami and Nobara Kugisaki, or witnessing the sheer devastation Sukuna caused, it was emotionally exhausting. Those recording sessions were particularly rough. There were a lot of tears, a lot of sadness, but that’s what it took to make it feel real; to make it feel like Yuji Itadori was truly living through those moments.
Yuji is only 15 when all this happens. Of course, he would break down, cry, and struggle to process it all. On top of that, he’s blaming himself for the tragedies around him. That emotional weight made the experience incredibly tough, but it was necessary to honor what the character was going through.
The voice acting job gets exhausting at times, so I asked Adam if he takes a pause in between. However, he revealed that he prefers not to take breaks, especially during emotionally heavy arcs. According to Adam, staying in that headspace actually makes it easier to return to the character. He explained that recording typically happens once a week per episode, often lasting just two to three hours or sometimes even less.
Stepping into the booth, pouring everything into those intense moments, and then immediately returning to normal life can be abrupt. Because of that, Adam tries not to fully let go of Yuji’s emotional state between episodes, finding it less taxing than constantly jumping in and out of such a heavy mindset.
Aparna: Yuji isn’t a typical shonen hero. He doesn’t always win, and he doesn’t grow stronger in a straightforward way. What makes him stand out to you compared to other protagonists you’ve voiced so far?
Adam: I’m really lucky, I get to voice a lot of genuinely good characters, and many of them have strong motivations. But what sets Yuji Itadori apart is how selfless his motivation is. At his core, Yuji just wants to make sure his friends are okay. He doesn’t want anyone to get hurt. It’s not about becoming the strongest, proving himself, or making sure the world knows his name. It’s much simpler than that: he doesn’t want anyone else to die. He wants to protect people. There are many reasons why Yuji is a unique protagonist, but that selflessness is one of the most defining ones.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is undoubtedly the most anticipated season and for the right reasons. Yuji’s story will take a dark turn and the arcs that will be adapted in JJK Season 3 are highly emotional and quite popular amongst JJK fans. This increases the stakes to deliver impeccable performance not only on animators and directors, but also on voice actors.
Aparna: Fans have high expectations for JJK Season 3. Given how invested fans are in Yuji’s emotional journey, does that awareness influence your mindset or performance during recording sessions?
Adam: In the beginning, I definitely felt a lot of pressure, especially during Season 1. But I’ve learned that my job is to let that go and not focus too much on what people are saying or thinking. Ultimately, my responsibility is to serve the character in the best way possible. That means trusting my instincts, doing the work, reading the manga, and really understanding Yuji Itadori for myself. Of course, there are so many content creators out there, especially on TikTok and Instagram, who dedicate entire channels to Jujutsu Kaisen.
Some of them have an incredible grasp of the story, and every now and then I’ll see something that makes me pause and think, ‘That’s an interesting perspective.’ From there, I can decide whether it resonates with me or not. But at the end of the day, I can’t let outside noise dictate the performance. I have to trust myself, trust my director, and trust the research I’ve done; that’s how I stay grounded in the role.
Having voiced such a diverse roster of characters, it was only natural to ask Adam whether he relies on a particular routine or process to fully embody a character’s personality and tone.
Adam: Every character has a distinct personality, and each show has its own identity as well, so stepping back into a role usually isn’t too difficult. One advantage we have now is technology. If I ever pause and think, ‘Wait, how does this character sound again?’ the team can play back my previous recordings. Listening to that helps me quickly reconnect with the character and slip back into the right headspace. Having that at my disposal makes the process much easier, which I’m very grateful for.
After that, I asked Adam about his favorite character that he has voiced so far. With a laugh, he quickly replied, “Don’t make me pick.” But he ultimately revealed that while the list includes several names, Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen and Marco Diaz from Star vs. The Forces of Evil sit firmly at the top.
Adam McArthur on Attack on Titan, Martial Arts, and Video Games
Aparna: You were also part of the voice cast for Attack on Titan, which I absolutely love. How do you feel about being involved in a series with such a heavy and unforgettable story?
Adam: I think Attack on Titan is incredible. When I think about it, I tend to group it alongside shows like Bleach and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. These are almost untouchable, top-tier anime that left a lasting impact. The fanbase, the cultural influence, and what those shows achieved for anime as a whole are remarkable. Honestly, I don’t think a series like Jujutsu Kaisen would be as popular as it is today without Attack on Titan and similar shows paving the way. So yeah, I feel incredibly lucky to have been even a small part of the Attack on Titan world. It was a great experience, and I also had the chance to work with Mike McFarland, who’s an absolute legend, not just as a director, but as a voice actor too. I’m really grateful I got that opportunity.
Moving forward, I also asked Adam about his experience working on video games such as Far Cry 5 and Ghostwire: Tokyo, and how his approach shifts when performing across different media like anime and video games.
Adam explained that while his overall approach to performance doesn’t change much across mediums, the execution does. With anime, he noted that actors perform while watching the scene on screen, carefully hitting start and stop points and syncing their delivery to the animation. It’s a multitasking process he likened to rubbing your stomach and patting your head at the same time, describing it as a kind of vocal gymnastics.
When it comes to video games, however, Adam pointed out that actors often work with far less context. While directors provide guidance for each line, performers rarely see the full script or detailed visuals. If visuals are shown at all, they tend to be very rough or loosely storyboarded. Because of this, voice actors must rely heavily on the director’s guidance and trust their direction throughout the session.
He also highlighted pre-lay animation as a completely different experience. In shows like Star vs. the Forces of Evil, performances are recorded directly from the script, and the animation is later built around the actor’s delivery. This allows for greater creative freedom and gives performers more room to experiment, something Adam described as especially enjoyable.
Adam McArthur Reveals How He Got Into Voice Acting
Considering his work across commercials, Western animation, anime, and video games, I was curious to know whether Adam had always envisioned a career so heavily leaning into voice acting.
Adam shared that voice acting has been part of his journey from the very beginning. His first paid professional job, in fact, was a voice-over gig: a Macy’s radio commercial. While he initially envisioned a career where he could do a bit of everything, including more on-camera work, he explained that over time, he learned to follow where his career naturally led him.
He added that he genuinely loves working as a VA and has been on this path long enough to trust it. Growing up, Adam said he always wanted to work on projects he could feel proud of, roles he would never be uncomfortable or ashamed to share with others.
That mindset, he noted, makes his work in animation, cartoons, and anime especially fulfilling. He expressed pride in the projects he’s been part of, calling them fun, meaningful, and creatively rewarding, and qualities that keep him excited about his voice acting.
Aparna: When fans approach you at conventions, which character do they most often want to talk about?
Adam: I still see a lot of people coming up to me for Star vs. the Forces of Evil. Obviously, Jujutsu Kaisen is doing really big things right now, so most people want to talk about that. I also get a lot of fans coming up for Kaiju No. 8 and Tokyo Revengers, but by far, it’s mostly Jujutsu Kaisen.
When I asked if there was a particular fan interaction he cherishes the most, Adam admitted it was impossible to single out just one. He explained that nearly every time, fans share deeply personal stories about how much the shows mean to them.
According to Adam, many people tell him that the series helped them through difficult periods in their lives, including moments of loss, and that they found comfort in relating to Yuji Itadori as a way to keep pushing forward. He expressed immense gratitude that fans feel comfortable sharing such experiences with him, adding that knowing his work has inspired and supported people in meaningful ways is something he finds truly amazing.
When asked if there was a type of role he still feels he hasn’t explored, Adam said he’d love the chance to voice a legacy character, one that has already been portrayed by multiple actors over the years.
I think it would be really fun to do a legacy character, something like a Looney Tunes character or a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. To me, a legacy role is one where several people have already stepped into that character’s shoes, and I think that would be a really exciting challenge.
Aparna: So, purely hypothetically, if a Jujutsu Kaisen live-action project ever becomes a reality and you get cast in it, who would you want to play? (And no, it can’t be Yuji)
Adam: Yeah, no, I’m definitely too old for Yuji. Gojo would be cool, but I’m probably too old for him, too. Dang, now I’m really thinking about this. I want someone cool, but a little older. Wait, I’ve got it. I want to be the cursed bear Yuji carries around. That’s it. The live-action cursed bear. Lock it in.
He then immediately turned the question back around. “Who would you cast me as? Seriously, who?” When I suggested he’d fit right into the main cast, maybe even as Gojo, Adam laughed again. “That’d be cool. I’d just need bluer eyes and much whiter hair… but hey, I might be able to pull it off,” he said.
To wrap things up, we ended the conversation with a quick round of rapid-fire questions.
One word to describe Yuji Itadori in Season 3?
Adam: Loyal
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 in one word?
Adam: Epic
Yuji’s journey so far: fair or unfair?
Adam: Fair
A Yuji scene that emotionally hit you the hardest?
Adam: The death of Nobara Kugisaki (And Nanami, of course).
If Yuji could get one peaceful day off, what would he do?
Adam: Probably carry Nobara’s shopping bags while she shops.
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
