What Is the Special Grade 1 Rank in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Download Article

Plus, a look at all Special Grade 1 & Grade 1 sorcerers in the series

Co-authored by Simon Zeng and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: April 29, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

What is Special Grade 1?

|

Grade 1 vs. Special Grade 1

|

Special Grade vs. Special Grade 1

|

Special Grade 1 Sorcerers

|

Grade 1 Sorcerers

|

More ''JJK'' Content

|

Video

Jujutsu Kaisen’s grading system can be surprisingly intricate at times! For instance, you might be wondering what “Special Grade 1” means, and how that rank is different from a regular Grade 1 (or Special Grade, for that matter). Well, don’t worry: we’re here to explain everything. In this article, we’ll focus on the prestigious “Special Grade 1” rank and what it means for those given it, as well as which Jujutsu Kaisen characters are considered Special Grade 1 sorcerers. Keep reading to learn more!

An Overview of Special Grade 1 in Jujutsu Kaisen

Special Grade 1 is a rank in Jujutsu High’s grading system; it measures a sorcerer’s relative strength. Special Grade 1 sorcerers have equal strength to Grade 1, but aren’t affiliated with Jujutsu High. They’re among the strongest by conventional standards and are often leaders in jujutsu society.

Section 1 of 6:

What is Special Grade 1 in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Download Article

Special Grade 1 is a strength ranking assigned to certain jujutsu sorcerers. It’s one of several ranks in Jujutsu High’s grading system. Those given the “Special Grade 1” rank are unaligned with Jujutsu High, yet remain among the strongest in jujutsu society, at least by conventional standards. They’re equal in strength to Grade 1 sorcerers and are typically leaders of society, representing the highest level of power that a sorcerer can achieve through the regular progression of ranks.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- In Jujutsu Kaisen, Kiyotaka Ijichi describes the strength of each grade by comparing them with traditional weapons; of Grade 1, he says, “Even a tank might be insufficient.”
- While there is a higher rank in the grading system, Special Grade, it’s reserved for anomalies.

Section 2 of 6:

What is the difference between Grade 1 and Special Grade 1?

Download Article

The two grades have equal power; rather, they denote affiliations. Grade 1 sorcerers are those whose strength aligns with the Grade 1 rank, and who attended (or are attending) Jujutsu High—meaning they’re affiliated with the school. Meanwhile, as we’ve discussed, Special Grade 1 sorcerers have the same relative amount of strength, but they aren’t affiliated with Jujutsu High.
- Essentially, the only real difference between the two ranks is a sorcerer’s connection to Jujutsu High, not their level of power and skill.

Section 3 of 6:

Special Grade 1 vs. Special Grade in Jujutsu Kaisen

Download Article

Special Grade is a higher, more powerful rank than Special Grade 1. “Special Grade 1” merely refers to those whose strength is on par with a Grade 1 sorcerer but who aren’t part of Jujutsu High’s system. On the other hand, anime & manga expert Simon Zeng says “Special Grade” is the highest sorcerer grade there is.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Simon Zeng
Anime and Manga Expert

Expert Interview} It refers to those few anomalies whose strength is so far outside the conventional ranking system that it cannot be accurately measured. So, instead, those sorcerers get the “Special Grade” rank—meaning they have an incredible amount of destructive potential.
- Suffice to say, Special Grade sorcerers are definitely stronger than Special Grade 1.
- According to Zeng, there are fewer than 10 characters in the anime who are Special Grade. He adds that it’s a grade a character gets when they defeat a Special Grade curse.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Simon Zeng
  Anime and Manga Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
- For instance, Satoru Gojo is Special Grade—and, as he’s constantly demonstrating, his power is on another level compared to pretty much everyone he comes up against.

Section 4 of 6:

Every Special Grade 1 Sorcerer in Jujutsu Kaisen

Download Article

1
Naobito ZeninNaobito Zenin is the former leader of the Zenin Clan (before his death during the Shibuya Incident, where he lost his right arm and was critically burnt by the Special Grade curse, Jogo). Bad-tempered and severely traditional, Naobito may not be an antagonist—but he’s known for looking down on his niece, Maki, and keeping her from promotion at Jujutsu High.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Cursed technique: Naobito’s “Projection Sorcery” allowed him to break a second down into 24 frames (like a projector), forcing anything he touched to follow the 24 FPS rule.
- Beyond his cursed technique, Naobito was known as a master of hand-to-hand combat and exceptional tactical intelligence.
2
Naoya ZeninAlthough he considered himself the Zenin clan’s rightful heir, Naoya Zenin ended up being slighted in favor of Megumi Fushiguro after Naobito’s death. He was the head of the “Hei,” the clan’s elite unit of sorcerers…as well as the only known Zenin clan member to die in Jujutsu Kaisen, only to return as a vengeful cursed spirit. For all Naoya’s confidence and superiority, he was handily defeated by his cousin Maki—twice, in fact.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Cursed technique: Naoya’s “Projection Sorcery” allowed him to break a second down into 24 frames and force creatures to follow that framerate. This was inherited from his father, Naobito.
3
Jinichi Zenin Jinichi is one of the Zenin Clan’s highest-ranking members, as well as part of its elite sorcerer unit. In relation to the rest of the family, he’s Naobito and Ogi Zenin’s nephew as well as Toji Zenin’s (Fushiguro’s) older brother—making him Megumi Fushiguro’s uncle as well. He’s a strong sorcerer and, like most of the family, a traditionalist; however, he notably upholds the family’s traditions only when they work in his favor.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Cursed technique: Jinichi’s “Missile Fists” technique allowed him to conjure huge fists made from cursed energy that could fire off alongside Jinichi’s physical punches. He could summon at least seven fists at once and bombard targets.
- To give you a sense of Jinichi’s power, each fist could, in theory, crush a building when flung at full force.
4
Ogi ZeninOgi Zenin is the younger brother of the Zenin clan’s erstwhile leader, Naobito, as well as Maki and Mai Zenin’s father. And he’s very clearly shown to consider himself Naobito’s equal, at least in terms of power as a jujutsu sorcerer. As a character, Ogi is an antagonist through and through: self-serving and bitter towards his own children. Although he initially overcame Maki in a duel, Mai’s death allowed Maki to unlock her full potential and, ultimately, defeat Ogi.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Cursed technique: Ogi’s “Blazing Courage” technique allowed him to project fire from his katana, even replacing the blade when Maki broke it.
5
Other Zenin family members Despite being known for their sorcery prowess as one of jujutsu society’s “Big Three” families, the Zenin clan is largely not associated with Jujutsu High (except for Maki and Mai Zenin, as well as Megumi Fushiguro). That means most members of the Zenin clan don’t have official Jujutsu High rankings, but rather “special” ranks that mark them as both powerful and not affiliated with the school.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- It’s implied that there are other Zenin clan members ranked at Special Grade 1, too, but they aren’t named. And regardless, the entire remaining Zenin clan dies at Maki’s hands after the death of her twin, Mai.
- Notably, Maki is a much lower rank (Grade 4), but that’s because the Zenin clan purposefully held her back. In actuality, her power is very much on par with even a Special Grade sorcerer.

Section 5 of 6:

Who are the regular Grade 1 sorcerers in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Download Article

1
There are several confirmed Grade 1 sorcerers in JJK. As we’ve previously discussed, Grade 1 sorcerers are affiliated with Jujutsu High—and one confirmed Grade 1 sorcerer is, impressively, still a student there! These sorcerers are among the most powerful in jujutsu society, aside from the unique cases belonging to the Special Grade rank. Jujutsu Kaisen’s Grade 1 sorcerers include:
- Kento Nanami - A former Jujutsu High student who initially became a salaryman, only to return to sorcery work later. He’s also one of Yuji Itadori’s close mentors.
- Mei Mei - An independent for-hire sorcerer who was Satoru Gojo’s senpai (senior or upperclassman) while at Jujutsu High.
- Masamichi Yaga - Tokyo Jujutsu High’s principal at the time Yuji was admitted (at the beginning of the series). He’s also Panda’s creator (with Panda being a Semi-Grade 2 sorcerer, currently).
- Atsuya Kusakabe - The second-year instructor at Tokyo Jujutsu High. Although he initially seems a bit cowardly, he has moments of courage throughout the series.
- Aoi Todo - Despite still being a third-year student at Kyoto Jujutsu High, Todo has managed to attain the Grade 1 rank, making him quite advanced for a sorcerer. He’s known for his muscles, boisterousness, and friendship with Yuji.
2
A few other sorcerers are considered “Semi-Grade 1.” Semi-Grade 1 sorcerers are essentially on their way to being ranked at Grade 1; they’ve been recommended for the upgrade and have completed their missions, but have not officially been awarded the “Grade 1” rank yet. This implies that Semi-Grade 1 sorcerers have comparable strength to Grade 1 sorcerers, even if their ranks are different. JJK’s Semi-Grade 1s are:
- Toge Inumaki - Togi is yet another current student at Jujutsu High in Tokyo—a second-year alongside classmates Yuta Okkotsu, Maki Zenin, and Panda.
- Noritoshi Kamo - Noritoshi is, like Aoi Todo, a third-year at Kyoto Jujutsu High; he’s also the former heir of the Kamo clan (which is one of the “Big Three” jujutsu clans).
- Kokichi Muta - Kokichi is one of Kyoto’s second-year students, though he uses a proxy (Ultimate Mechamaru) to go to school since his own body is too fragile.
- Utahime Iori - Utahime is a student supervisor in Kyoto; she tries to set a good example for her students and is often infuriated by Satoru Gojo.