Yuji: Jujutsu Kaisen's final fight is changing Yuji's character for the worse, and the latest chapters prove it

Jujutsu Kaisen's final fight is changing Yuji's character for the worse, and the latest chapters prove it

Modified May 29, 2024 00:46 GMT

Yuji Itadori in Jujutsu Kaisen (Image via MAPPA)

Jujutsu Kaisen's Yuji Itadori seems to have undergone some serious development in the latest chapters. With most of the Jujutsu High sorcerers being rendered unable to continue, Yuji looks to be the only one standing. With the arrival of Todo Aoi, his will to fight burns brighter than ever. Moreover, Gojo (Yuta) has also returned.

But when looked at closely, Yuji's character development appears to be heading in the opposite direction than expected. Given the recent chapters, he looks far more angry and hateful of the Demon King before him and has seemingly become more violent. It is almost as if Yuji is turning into Ryomen Sukuna.

Jujutsu Kaisen's latest chapters prove that Yuji is developing for the worse

Quite an interesting theory seems to be making its rounds in the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom. This theory revolves around Yuji changing for the worse and seemingly heading to become Sukuna - something that was touted as the last thing that could happen.

According to the theory, Yuji might have lost sight of his original goal of saving Megumi Fushiguro following his awakening. Right now, he seems to be focusing solely on tearing Sukuna to shreds. His expressions in the most recent chapters, animalistic growls, and violent methods of attack are a testament to the theory.

Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 260 ended with the depiction of Yuji attempting to tear out Sukuna's heart. This implies he doesn't care about Megumi being within the Demon King. Further, after his first attempt at reaching Megumi's soul, he hasn't tried anything similar since and is just trading blows with Sukuna.

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Intriguingly, with Choso dying before his eyes, Yuji lost the will to continue, coming to a dead stop as he looked around helplessly. But Sukuna emerging from the smoke enraged him as he quickly snapped back to reality and began his assault alongside Todo - this implies he is prioritizing killing Sukuna over saving his friend.

Even the King of Curses sees it in Yuji's eyes: the hunger for his demise as he locks in and reaches maximum concentration. This depicts his single-minded focus on taking down Sukuna. At the moment, the thought of attempting to reach Megumi again looks to be on the back burner for Yuji.

This entire scenario is quite ironic—Yuji absolutely loathes Sukuna and his self-centered nature. But the recent chain of events shows Yuji slipping into that very selfish nature of solely focusing on dispatching Sukuna, disregarding everything else, while throughout the series, he has been the complete opposite.

This concept ties into Yuji functionally being Sukuna, i.e., the pair having two different faces but part of the same being. The teenager easily falling into behaving like the Demon King shows how connected the two still are. Moreover, Yuji's relentless desire to kill Sukuna mirrors the latter's relentless desire to break Yuji.

Sukuna and Yuji (Image via Gege Akutami, Shueisha)

In essence, both are trying to outdo the other. But in this case, both agree with the other's worldview. Sukuna hating Yuji's ideals and striving to prove his superiority to ideals as a whole is an ideal in itself. Alternatively, Yuji tirelessly pursuing Sukuna's death embodies the Curse's belief that only one's self matters.

At the moment, Yuji doesn't think that Sukuna needs to be taken down to save everyone and that he is dangerous (which is true). Rather, it is more hate. His pure anger and animal-like behavior in his attacks bring out his deep-rooted hatred for the Demon King.

These facts were demonstrated before the Shinjuku showdown and now after his awakening. All in all, Yuji's hate for Sukuna is driving him, and he might inherit the title of "Ryomen Sukuna," not because he will likely win but because now, spiritually and mentally, he is Ryomen Sukuna.

Final thoughts

Yuji Itadori and Ryomen Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen (Image via Sportskeeda)

This theory is quite interesting and connects the dots very convincingly. Yuji has displayed immense growth throughout this Shinjuku fight and has undoubtedly shattered his previous limits. The potential that Gojo and a few others spoke of is materializing explosively.

However, if this theory holds true, Yuji might be heading in a different direction. He is understandably enraged, having witnessed so many losses and facing so many setbacks. But in this case, if he does win and takes down Sukuna, he just might become the very thing he despises.

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Edited by Shreya Das