Naoya Jujutsu Shenanigans Guide (March 2026) Abilities, Passives & Awakening

If you’ve been playing Jujutsu Shenanigans on Roblox lately, you know the meta is always shifting. However, one character has consistently remained a top-tier pick for players who value speed, precision, and devastating combos: Naoya Zen’in. I’ve spent countless hours testing his kit in the PvP arena, and I’m here to tell you that mastering Naoya isn’t just about mashing buttons—it’s about understanding the flow of time and cursed energy.

In this comprehensive guide, updated for March 2026, I’m going to break down everything you need to know about Naoya. Whether you’re struggling to land his Domain Expansion or you just unlocked him and want to know his passives, this article covers it all. We will dive deep into his abilities, awakening mechanics, and the advanced strategies that separate the novices from the pros.

Naoya Zen’in: Quick Overview

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, here is a quick snapshot of Naoya’s stats and capabilities in the current meta. This table gives you a bird’s-eye view of what to expect from this character.

Feature	Description	Difficulty
Character Name	Naoya Zen’in
Role	Rushdown / Combo Extender	Hard
Primary Strength	Movement Speed & Resetting Cooldowns
Primary Weakness	Low Health Pool / Reliance on Skill Shots
Domain Expansion	Time Cell Moon Palace
Awakening Type	Stat Boost + Domain Expansion
Best For	Aggressive Players and Combo Kings

Who is Naoya in Jujutsu Shenanigans?

Naoya Zen’in is the head of the Zen’in clan in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, and in Jujutsu Shenanigans, he lives up to his reputation as a prodigy. Unlike heavy hitters like Yuji or Sukuna who rely on brute force, Naoya is all about technique and velocity.

His kit revolves around the Projection Sorcery. In the lore, this allows him to create a frame of animation that lasts one second. In game terms, this translates to unique movement options and the ability to bypass cooldowns if you play your cards right. I’ve found that playing Naoya effectively requires you to be unpredictable—you need to be in your enemy’s face one second and gone the next.

Naoya’s Abilities Explained

Let’s break down his move-set. I’ll walk you through each ability, how it works, and when you should be using it during a match.

1. M1: Basic Combo

Naoya’s basic attacks are faster than most other characters in the game. This is crucial. His M1 chain consists of rapid punches and kicks that build up significant damage quickly.

• My Take: Don’t underestimate the M1. Because Naoya is a “rushdown” character, your M1 is your bread and butter for setting up your skills.
• Tip: Try to end your M1 chain with a move that knocks the enemy back slightly, giving you just enough room to activate a skill without getting grabbed.

2. Skill 1: Projectile Sorcery (The Dash)

This is Naoya’s signature gap-closer. Upon activation, Naoya dashes forward at blinding speed. If he hits an enemy, he delivers a swift blow that stuns them briefly.

• Strategic Use: Use this to chase down enemies who are trying to run away to regenerate health. It’s also a great initiation tool.
• Counter-Play: Be careful not to dash into a Domain Expansion. If you dash blindly, you’re dead meat. Always confirm where the opponent is before activating this.

3. Skill 2: 24-Framed Projectiles

Naoya fires a burst of cursed energy projectiles. Unlike standard beams, these have a bit of a travel time but track the enemy slightly.

• Strategic Use: I love using this for zoning. If an opponent is trying to approach you, spamming this can keep them at bay. It’s also excellent for finishing off a low-health opponent who is running around a pillar.
• Pro Tip: You can combo this after a successful M1 string. Launch them, fire the projectiles while they are in the air, and then dash in for another combo.

4. Skill 3: Cyclic Rewind (Passive Trigger)

This is a bit more complex. This ability allows Naoya to “reset” the flow of battle. In practice, it reduces the cooldown of his other abilities or resets the position of the enemy depending on the specific update patch for 2026.

• Note: As of the latest updates, this ability often acts as a counter. If you time it right when an enemy hits you, you can negate the damage and strike back.
• Mastery: This is the hardest skill to master. I recommend going into training mode and practicing the timing against a dummy.

Naoya’s Passive Abilities

Naoya isn’t just about active skills; his passives make him a nightmare to deal with. Understanding these is key to knowing why you win (or lose) fights.

Passive 1: Velocity

Naoya naturally moves faster than 90% of the roster. This isn’t a sprint; it’s his base walking and running speed.

• Why it matters: In a game where positioning is everything, being faster means you control the engagement. You can decide when to fight and when to leave.

Passive 2: Cursed Energy Efficiency

Naoya consumes less cursed energy for his basic attacks and skills compared to characters like Gojo or Todo.

• Why it matters: This allows you to stay in the fight longer. You can afford to miss a skill or two without immediately running dry, whereas other characters might be punished heavily for one mistake.

Passive 3: Technique Dilation

This is a unique passive often overlooked. When Naoya lands a critical hit (usually from behind or during a counter), the enemy’s screen blurs slightly, and their movement speed is momentarily reduced.

• Why it matters: It creates a “snowball” effect. Once you start hitting them, they can’t escape, allowing you to secure the kill.

Awakening and Domain Expansion

Awakening is the game-changer in Jujutsu Shenanigans. For Naoya, it transforms him from a speedy nuisance into a lethal assassin.

How to Awaken

To awaken, you typically need to fill your Awakening Bar (usually located under your health bar). You fill this by dealing damage, taking damage, and landing successful combos. Once full, press your designated Awakening key (usually V or G depending on your keybinds).

Awakening Stats Boost

Upon awakening, Naoya gets a significant boost in:

• Attack Power: Your M1s hit much harder.
• Speed: You become even faster, making it nearly impossible for opponents to target you with manual aim skills.
• Defense: You gain a slight damage reduction, allowing you to trade hits more effectively.

Domain Expansion: Time Cell Moon Palace

This is the pinnacle of Naoya’s kit. When activated, a massive domain envelops the arena. It looks like a traditional Japanese palace floating in a void.

• Effect: Inside the domain, time is distorted. Naoya can move freely, but the enemy is slowed down significantly. Furthermore, automatic projectiles rain down on the opponent.
• Sure-Hit Effect: Like all domains in the game, it guarantees damage if the enemy cannot escape in time (though in Shenanigans, domains often have a “breakout” mechanic based on damage dealt or a timing mini-game).
• Strategy: Do not use this at the start of a fight. The enemy will just run away. I usually wait until they are stunned or low on health. Once the domain is up, rush them and use your M1 combo. The slowdown effect makes it impossible for them to block or dodge your flurry of attacks.

Best Strategies and Pro Tips

Now that you know what his powers are, how do you actually win? Here are the strategies I use to climb the ranks.

1. The “Hit and Run” Tactic

Because Naoya is so fast, you should never stand still. Hit an enemy with a combo, dash away (Skill 1), and wait for your skills to come off cooldown. This frustrates opponents who rely on targeting slower characters.

2. Wall Combos

Naoya excels in close quarters. Try to fight near walls or objects.

• The Setup: Use Skill 1 to dash into them -> M1 combo -> Skill 2 (Projectiles) -> Dash again.
• Being near a wall prevents them from being knocked too far away, allowing you to extend your combo damage significantly.

3. Domain Baiting

A common mistake I see is players using their Domain Expansion immediately upon Awakening. Instead, I like to “bait” their escape options.

• The Trick: Awaken and chase them aggressively. Make them panic and use their “Escape” or “Dash” moves to get away from you. Then, once their mobility is on cooldown, drop the Domain Expansion. They will have no way to survive the sure-hit effect.

4. Countering Heavy Hitters

If you are up against a character like Sukuna or Mahoraga, you cannot trade hits directly. They will out-stat you. You must use your speed.

• Use Skill 3 (Counter) when you see them winding up a big punch. If successful, you stun them and can deal massive damage while they are vulnerable.

Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players make errors with Naoya. Here are the traps you should avoid:

• Dashing into Groups: Naoya is fast, not invincible. If you dash into a group of 3 enemies, you will get focused down and die instantly. Pick your fights 1v1.
• Ignoring Energy Management: While Naoya is efficient, you can still run out. If you are at 0 energy, you are just a fast punching bag with no bite. Always keep an eye on your blue bar.
• Wasting the Domain: Using Domain Expansion when the enemy has full health is usually a waste. They can often tank the hits or breakout before dying. Save it for the execute.

How Naoya Compares to the Meta? (Updated 2026)

The current meta in Jujutsu Shenanigans is dominated by characters who have large hitboxes and high burst damage. Naoya sits firmly in the S-Tier for skilled players but might drop to A-Tier for beginners simply because of his skill ceiling.

Compared to the latest releases, Naoya’s Domain isn’t the strongest in terms of raw damage per second, but it offers the best control. If you like being in control of the fight, he is the best choice.

For more on the current game state, check out our list of Best Roblox Anime Games to Play in 2026 to see where Shenanigans ranks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get Naoya in Jujutsu Shenanigans?

As of the latest update, Naoya is typically obtained via the Clan Roll system or by completing a specific Boss Raid that drops his collectible item. You can sometimes trade for him if the game allows player trading, but rolling is the most consistent method.

Is Naoya better than Gojo?

This is a heated debate! Gojo has better range and defense (Infinity), but Naoya has better melee speed and combo potential. In a 1v1, if Naoya closes the gap, he usually wins. If Gojo keeps his distance, he wins. It depends on your playstyle.

What is the best counter to Naoya?

Characters with “AoE” (Area of Effect) attacks or auto-tracking grabs counter Naoya well. Because he is always moving close to you, a wide-sweeping attack can catch him off guard during his dashes.

Does Naoya have an Infinite Combo?

Technically, yes. With precise timing of Skill 1 (Dash) and M1 resets, you can keep an enemy stunned until they die. However, this is very difficult to execute and requires a lot of practice in the training arena.

How often is Naoya updated?

The developers of Jujutsu Shenanigans are quite active. Balance patches usually drop every month or so. Always check the official Discord to see if Naoya’s damage numbers or cooldowns have been tweaked in March 2026.

Conclusion

Naoya Zen’in is a fantastic character for players who want to feel fast and technical. He rewards practice and game knowledge more than just raw power. By mastering his Projection Sorcery, understanding his passives, and using his Awakening at the perfect moment, you can dominate the lobbies in Jujutsu Shenanigans.

Remember, the key to Naoya is momentum. Keep moving, keep attacking, and never let your opponent breathe. If you found this guide helpful, make sure to bookmark it for the next patch update, and check out our other Roblox Guides for more tips and tricks.