8 insane Kenjaku theories from Jujutsu Kaisen fans that are simply too much

One of the most exciting parts of the Culling Game era of the community for mangaka Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen series was the plethora of Kenjaku theories at the time. With how enigmatic the character, his goals, and his next moves were at the time, fans developed a natural fascination for him as one of the series’ overarching villains.

Kenjaku theories have only become more prominent since the character’s death, especially with so many questions seemingly fated to go unanswered. However, the theories have also become more and more far-fetched as time has gone on. In fact, some of the latest to come from the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom are pushing the envelope on just how far-fetched they can be.

Kenjaku theories like his killing Rika and more are simply too unrealistic for Jujutsu Kaisen’s modus operandi

1) Sukuna is Kenjaku and Tengen’s son

Tengen's human (left) and contemporary (right) forms (Images via Shueisha)

One of the most far-fetched Jujutsu Kaisen theories is also one of the more well-known among fans. The theory is straightforward, predicating itself on Tengen’s feminine appearance in the Heian era and the fact that Kenjaku also knew and was close with the pair at the time. However, there are a few major issues with the theory.

For one, Kenjaku and Tengen’s brief interactions with one another during the Culling Game arc didn’t suggest anything romantic between them. Likewise, Kenjaku and Sukuna’s relationship isn’t portrayed as anything like that of a parent and child. Furthermore, such a theory would assert that Yuji Itadori and Sukuna are brothers, when the reality of their relationship has already been revealed. Overall, it’s one of the weaker Kenjaku theories out there.

2) Kenjaku drove the car that killed Rika

Rika's death as seen in the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 manga (Image via Shueisha)

A similarly frequently theorized character in Jujutsu Kaisen is Rika, especially during the series’ latest releases. One theory about both of them claims that Kenjaku was the one driving the car that ran over Rika Orimoto. The basis for why he did this is in order to create the Cursed Spirit Rika for him to pursue.

However, it was actually Suguru Geto who desired Rika, with Kenjaku expressing curiosity but no great desire to claim Rika for himself. Furthermore, there’s no way Kenjaku could have planned for Rika to become a Cursed Spirit, as it was actually Yuta Okkotsu cursing Rika and creating her Cursed Spirit form. It’s a half-baked theory that could work if the series was tweaked in a few places, but sadly, it doesn’t with the source material fans have.

3) Kenjaku is Rika's father

Rika's human form as seen in the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 film (Image via MAPPA Studios)

Similarly, this Jujutsu Kaisen theory focuses on Kenjaku being involved in Rika’s life in some way, this time as her father. However, the theory is also similarly debunked by the idea of how exceptional and unpredictable Rika’s case was. While one could argue that this is indicative of Kenjaku’s involvement, the next issue is what his motivation could be.

As mentioned above, Kenjaku has not demonstrated any significant yearning to claim Rika for himself, suggesting a lack of involvement on his part. With this in mind, the theory of him being her father lacks narrative significance to justify its inclusion in Jujutsu Kaisen. While it is, to some, a fun connection that could be made, it needs to serve a clear purpose in the narrative to be included.

4) Kenjaku is a time-looping Yuta

Yuta as seen in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime (Image via MAPPA Studios)

A relatively recent theory in terms of chapter numbers, Jujutsu Kaisen fans largely began theorizing this after Yuta used Kenjaku’s Cursed Technique to take over Satoru Gojo’s body. His ultimate fate has been left ambiguous since this occurred, technically making the theory possible, but with one major flaw.

If the Kenjaku of the current series was indeed Yuta in a time loop, he’d have known that Fumihiko Takaba’s fight was all a ruse. Even if Takaba could force him into Comedian’s effects anyway, it wouldn’t explain why he was unaware of Yuta’s, or his own, sneak attack. With this in mind, the theory is certainly interesting, but unfortunately has a large hole.

5) Kenjaku is an alien who came to conquer earth

Kenjaku as Noritoshi Kamo (Image via MAPPA Studios)

Admittedly, there are some questions answered by the idea that Kenjaku is not an earthly sorcerer, especially in light of Yuta’s recent struggles with his Cursed Technique. However, it’s his ability to use sorcery that somewhat nullifies the theory; to assert an alien could also be capable of sorcery when a vast majority of Earthly sorcerers are specifically Japanese is too coincidental for suspension of disbelief to be maintained.

There’s also the fact that Kenjaku’s continuously stated goals have had nothing to do with conquering the Earth. The theory can also imply that Kenjaku “brought” sorcery to Earth during the Heian era, but this doesn’t match with the series’ lore of that time being the Golden Age of sorcery. Like many other Kenjaku theories, this one simply doesn’t line up enough with Jujutsu Kaisen’s source material to be viable.

6) Kenjaku planned to take Sukuna's body

Heian era Sukuna as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA Studios)

One of the biggest flaws in this underdeveloped Jujutsu Kaisen theory is a lack of motivation (a commonality among recent Kenjaku theories). Realistically, there’s no reason for Kenjaku to have tried taking over Sukuna’s body. Furthermore, there’s likely no reason that could be offered, which makes putting his lifelong plan at risk via a premature death in attempting to take Sukuna’s body.

Kenjaku, Sukuna, and Uraume are all also familiar with each other from the Heian era and likely have significant enough rapport with each other to be beyond such ideas. This is further supported by the fact that, in the buildup to the Shinjuku Showdown arc, the trio were shown working together in a loose sense despite being relatively hostile to each other.

7) Kenjaku’s Kogane is his backup plan

Kenjaku seen speaking with his Kogane (Image via Shueisha)

This theory asserts that the Kogane whom fans saw Kenjaku speaking with in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 220 is holding a “part” of him as a backup plan. The theory predicates this on the fact that the Kogane has scars that match Kenjaku’s. In other words, the idea is that Kenjaku used his Cursed Technique on the Kogane as a way to save himself in case his main body died.

However, the biggest flaw here is the assertion that Kenjaku can split himself up. If this were the case, he likely wouldn’t move on from bodies as he’s known to, but instead split himself between them. This would also be the logical move from a logistics standpoint, as it would give him a large force to work with rather than just one body. Combined with the fact that this isn’t how his Cursed Technique has been established or teased to work, this theory is simply too far-fetched.

8) The Merger is Kenjaku

Kenjaku seen pondering the Merger and what it will look like (Image via Shueisha)

Last but certainly not least of the Kenjaku theories on this list, Jujutsu Kaisen fans assert via this theory that the Merger is actually Kenjaku’s true form. However, this goes against Kenjaku’s own words throughout the series, in which he vehemently denied knowing anything at all about what would happen during the merger.

It also doesn’t make sense for him to have been lying in some of these cases, as he told some of his victims this just before killing them. Combined with the fact that Kenjaku’s Merger plan has gone on for a thousand years, it doesn’t particularly make sense that he’d go to such lengths simply to achieve a new form.

In conclusion

While there are many reasonable Kenjaku theories, there are also others in the Jujutsu Kaisen community that don’t quite make the most sense. Some fail to account for what the source material has explicitly or implicitly said, while others lack key narrative aspects like character motivations. In any case, fans can expect the theories to continue as the series nears the end of the Shinjuku Showdown arc, recently confirmed to be its last.