Mahito's true form in Jujutsu Kaisen may be the true form for all Cursed Spirits

Modified Aug 20, 2024 01:16 GMT

In Jujutsu Kaisen, the concept of cursed spirits is deeply intertwined with the fears and emotions that birth them. However, Mahito’s true form may hold the key to understanding the fundamental nature of all curses. As one of the most complex and terrifying entities in the series, Mahito evolves into what he calls the "true shape of his soul."

This statement seemingly throws light into the attributes of his origin. This transformation raises the intriguing possibility that Mahito’s final form is not unique but rather the archetypal appearance of all powerful cursed spirits, revealing their ultimate and true nature.

Jujutsu Kaisen: The true form of Cursed Spirits

Cursed Spirits as shown in the anime series (Image via MAPPA)

In observing the design of various curses, one might notice a recurring pattern—many curses exhibit similar features, such as toothy grins, prominent mouths, and peculiar scales where their eyes should be. This striking resemblance suggests that these traits might represent the quintessential appearance of a true curse, a notion that gains weight when one examines the case of Mahito in his true form.

The appearance of certain curses—Hanami, the evolved form of Dagon, and even Rika—bears a notable similarity to Mahito’s true form. While Jogo seems like an outlier, there is an underlying logic to his look.

Mahito is a special-grade curse (Image via MAPPA)

Fire is one of humanity's most ancient fears, deeply rooted in our collective consciousness, and Jogo’s design might reflect a curse that embodies a primal, almost archaic terror. His appearance, though different from the others, could signify a curse that belongs to a fear that has evolved or diminished over time, despite being powerful.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Similarities in the true form of the Special Grade Cursed Spirits

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What unites these entities is their classification as special-grade curses—some of the most formidable in existence. The theory posits that the more powerful a curse becomes, the closer its appearance aligns with this "default curse form." This form transcends the specific fear that originally gave rise to the curse, instead embodying a more universal and terrifying essence.

Mahito’s journey adds a compelling layer to this theory. Obsessed with the idea of becoming a true curse, Mahito often mused on the nature of his existence and what it meant to fully embrace his identity as a curse. This obsession culminated when he landed a Black Flash on Yuji, a moment where he declared that he had achieved the "true shape of his soul."

Yuji Itadori as shown in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime series (Image via MAPPA)

In doing so, Mahito physically altered his soul, rejecting any vestiges of humanity and evolving from the curse of humanity into something more profound—a true curse in the purest sense.

Mahito’s transformation suggests that he uncovered the fundamental appearance of a curse untainted by the specific fear it was born from. By transcending his origin as a manifestation of humanity's fear, Mahito became a representation of the curse's true essence, which may explain why his final form closely resembles those of other special grade curses.

This theory further implies that the stronger a curse becomes, the more it sheds the particular attributes linked to its originating fear, gradually morphing into this "default" form. Thus, Mahito, in his quest to become a true curse, may have inadvertently revealed the archetypal shape that all powerful curses tend toward as they grow stronger.

Final thoughts

The theory posits that the strongest curses, those classified as special grades, tend to resemble this default form. Moreover, Mahito's true form exemplifies this as he abandons his origins to become the purest form of a curse.