All 6 Binding Vows Sukuna made in Jujutsu Kaisen's Shinjuku Showdown arc, ranked chronologically

The Shinjuku Showdown Arc in Jujutsu Kaisen is the series' most intense and strategic narration, especially with the Binding Vows. The binding vows are important contracts between sorcerers and curses that play a large role in the critical outcome of battles.

These include several Binding Vows that the King of Curses, Ryomen Sukuna, made during the final arc to receive advantages, make sacrifices, or win power at crucial moments. Each of the vows speaks to Sukuna's ruthlessly calculating mind and his perfection down to the detail in using Jujutsu.

Here are Sukuna's all six Binding Vows from the Jujutsu Kaisen's Shinjuku Showdown Arc, in sequence, to understand how important they really are in shaping the ultimate showdown.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and includes spoilers from the manga.

Every Binding Vows Sukuna made in the Shinjuku Showdown arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, ranked in chronological order

1) To enhance output with restricted Domain

Sukuna as seen in anime (Image via MAPPA)

During the Battle of the Strongest, Sukuna took an intelligent move and used a Binding Vow to reduce the domain range and raise the output against Gojo. When Gojo started expanding his Unlimited Void to counter Malevolent Shrine, Sukuna knew things had to be changed.

Since Sukuna intentionally set limits on the area of effect his domain would cover, he got this amazing power boost in concentration. This would let him strike with more focused concentration to increase his potency.

Because the Binding Vow essentially traded in area-of-effect coverage to heighten the destructive capability, Sukuna was able to overwhelm Gojo's defenses momentarily. It was a tactical adjustment revealing how quickly Sukuna thinks and how much variance in movement he is ready to sacrifice for raw power when up against an opponent like Gojo.

2) To further increase output against Gojo

Gojo Satoru as seen in anime (Image via MAPPA)

Sukuna responded to Gojo's continued adaptation by using a second, even more extreme Binding Vow. He further constricted the domain's range, pushing the limits of compression. This could allow for an exponential increase in power density within the smaller area.

Sukuna, by sacrificing even more coverage, achieved an unprecedented level of output, concentrating his cursed energy to such a degree that even Gojo's defenses were in danger of being overwhelmed in Jujutsu Kaisen.

3) To activate strong Dismantle instantly

Gojo Satoru as seen in manga (Image via Viz Media)

In order to activate his incredibly powerful Dismantle against Gojo, Sukuna used a Binding Vow to put strict limits on the execution of the move. Since the vow had Sukuna charge his energy, do the Enmaten hand sign, and chant, there was some visible delay in its activation. This gave him the capability to cast Dismantle instantly once during the fight without moving his body.

This strategic limitation allowed Sukuna to use the devastating technique when it mattered most. Rather than disabling it, he curtailed its future use to maximize his chance to inflict serious damage, thus contributing to his victory over Satoru Gojo.

4) To limit Malevolent Shrine to 99 seconds

Maki Zenin as seen in anime (Image via MAPPA)

In an attempt to use his powerful Dismantle technique on Maki, Sukuna made a Binding Vow concerning his use of the cursed technique. By binding himself with the vow, Sukuna was actually obligated to do the following: charge his energy, use the Enmaten hand sign, and recite an incantation which delayed executing the technique.

By making this promise, Sukuna had guaranteed that he could use Dismantle at the most opportune moment in time with even greater force. Sukuna utilized this Binding Vow against the battle in Shinjuku by presenting an opportunity for Dismantle, first throwing debris to distract Maki while he whispered the incantation and readied himself for the attack.

5) To increase the effect of his Furnace technique

Sukuna set up a Binding Vow with certain limitations to increase the effectiveness of his Furnace technique. It was so that Sukuna was not allowed to use Furnace against plural targets outside his domain. As a return for this, whatever object is destroyed by his Cleave or Dismantle techniques inside the domain would absorb the explosive cursed energy of Furnace.

This causes the resultant attacks to cause huge explosions with a wide radius. Besides that, Sukuna vowed to seal his domain airtight, with entry only to living beings. This was to maximize the Furnace's efficiency by ensuring the domain environment increased the technique's impact.

6) To extend the duration of his Domain

To extend his Domain Expansion beyond the usual time, Sukuna performed a Binding Vow with a reduction in the effective range of use of his domain to the size of Yuta's domain. This allowed Sukuna to extend his domain for way longer than the usual 99 seconds and could even extend to about 3 minutes.

Such an oath shares the same logic as letting go of a bigger weight and taking in its stead a lighter one so that one can endure longer. By thinning the size of his domain, Sukuna eventually lightened the burden of maintaining it; therefore, he could sustain it longer. That was a strategic attempt at bargaining his domain's longevity.

Final thoughts

The Shinjuku Showdown Arc in Jujutsu Kaisen showcases Sukuna's strategic genius through the six Binding Vows he made over the course of 45 chapters. Some were simple enhancements of the output of his domain, and others, like the limitation on the duration of Malevolent Shrine, were a bit more controversially intricate.

Compared to any other character in this arc, none are making more than three vows, highlighting Sukuna's unique approach to power.

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Edited by Toshali Kritika