Jujutsu Kaisen's comments on Sukuna's strength is its most misunderstood point

Modified Oct 20, 2024 07:30 GMT

Jujutsu Kaisen has introduced one of the most diverse and memorable casts of characters in recent years, with Gojo and Sukuna becoming the actual faces of the series instead of Yuji, the protagonist. The debate around Gojo and Sukuna's status as the strongest, and their perceived superiority over one another, has not ended despite the series having concluded. However, the myths surrounding Sukuna not going all out continue to play a huge part in power-scaling debates.

Sukuna ran a gauntlet through almost every single jujutsu sorcerer introduced in the series after his victory against Gojo. Although many fans interpret Sukuna as someone strong from the beginning of his existence, his decisions throughout his numerous appearances suggest that his strength stems from his nature. This nature compels him to analyze every single detail about curse techniques after his encounter with one.

Disclaimer- This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Sukuna's strength stems from his inherent nature

Gojo as shown in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

Sukuna and Gojo have been thoroughly established as anomalies within the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, and their sheer existence causes chaos as well as an imbalance. Although Gojo's character was born with the much-coveted Six Eyes and the Limitless technique, he required diligent and focused training to master them fully and ascend to the title of the strongest.

Sukuna was equally blessed but differently; his extra limbs and mouth essentially allowed him to engage in close combat while simultaneously using jujutsu. Throughout the series, Sukuna has often been portrayed as holding back, a term that initially seems to imply he was never using his full strength. But this concept isn’t as straightforward as it appears.

While it’s true Sukuna never gave his all, particularly in his fight against Gojo, it wasn’t because he could end the battle anytime he wanted. Instead, Sukuna considered the possibility of the fight entering the next stage with his opponents being the sorcerers.

Sukuna as shown in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

Despite his vast repertoire of abilities, he deliberately used only a small portion of them, demonstrating restraint in a strategic sense. This isn’t a matter of simply playing with his opponents, it’s a calculated plan designed to optimize his chances of complete victory while conserving strength.

Even though Sukuna is portrayed as always being consciously in control, one core aspect of his character may be the key to his overwhelming strength, intelligence, and relentless curiosity about jujutsu techniques.

This inquisitive nature has become so ingrained in him that it seems second nature, like breathing. Throughout the series, Sukuna’s mastery of Megumi’s Ten Shadows technique is a perfect example of this, as is the brief time he needed to understand the Hasaba twins’ cursed technique.

Heian Era Sukuna as shown in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Sukuna's constant analysis and adaptation show that for Sukuna, jujutsu isn’t just a tool, it’s an entity he seeks to fully comprehend. This drive was further emphasized when he urged Higuruma to summon the Executioner’s Sword, not out of necessity, but out of sheer curiosity about its potential.

The secret to Sukuna’s strength lies in this automatic inquisitiveness. His analysis of jujutsu techniques has become so instinctual that it happens without thought, allowing him to treat every battle as a learning opportunity.

Sukuna doesn’t take a fight seriously until the very end because, in his mind, each encounter is a chance to refine his understanding of jujutsu. This approach eventually led to his downfall against Yuji as Sukuna did not go all-out from the beginning.

Final thoughts

Sukuna's character, which was mostly self-centered throughout the series, developed significantly. Even in the finale, he accepted his loss at the hands of Yuji and began looking forward to another life where he might follow a different path. Jujutsu Kaisen ended with chapter 271, without any announcement of a continuation or spin-off, much to the fandom's dismay.

The anime is still ongoing, and Jujutsu Kaisen season 3, which will adapt the Culling Games arc, is set to be released sometime in 2025. Given the series' popularity in recent years, it is possible that another project or spin-off could be announced alongside the release of season 3.