Megumi, not Gojo, is Jujutsu Kaisen's most misunderstood character

In the Jujutsu Kaisen series, Megumi Fushiguro is quite often overshadowed by his comrades, including Gojo Satoru and Yuuji Itadori, but his character's complexities make him one of the series' most misunderstood figures. While Gojo's larger-than-life portrayal is attractive, Megumi's subtle depth seems to go unnoticed.

His stoic air, coupled with a reserved nature and constant internal struggles, might showcase him to viewers as cold and indifferent. However, in reality, his motivations are deeper, finding purpose in a strong sense of justice and the need to protect those he cares for. Megumi Fushiguro’s arc highlights a character tussling with a heavy family past, his moral compass, and his immense power.

Dissimilar to Gojo, universally acknowledged for his brilliance, Megumi's strength might overlooked due to his lack of control of the Ten Shadows. But as Gojo himself mentions, it is one of the most powerful Cursed Techniques (CT) around and Megumi possesses the potential to master it and surpass even the strongest of the strong.

Megumi's sacrifices and internal struggles depict a tragic hero who needed more recognition for a complex personality and critical role in the story.

Disclaimer: This article contains the sole opinion of the author.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Megumi Fushiguro is the series' most misread character

Megumi summons Mahoraga (Image via MAPPA)

To begin with, it is necessary to dispel the misconceptions surrounding Jujutsu Kaisen's Megumi. He did not have feelings for Tsumiki, his step-sister. Having grown up alone, he only wants Tsumiki's well-being, and views her as a good person. This is similar to how he sees Yuji Itadori. When asked by Todo Aoi about his preference, he merely desires someone compassionate.

Secondly, when meeting Todo for the first time, Megumi in no way attempts to summon Mahoraga against him. If looked at closely, even when Todo was getting rough, Megumi was using his weaker Shikigami. A strategic and composed individual like Megumi knows better than to summon Mahogara, a ticking time bomb on an ally, especially within the school setting.

Thirdly, contrary to all the jibes, Megumi doesn't resort to Mahoraga in the slightest danger. He only does so when the odds are overwhelming. Even against a powerful foe like the Finger Bearer, Megumi used Chimera Shadow Garden, not Mahoraga.

He summoned Mahoraga against Haruta Shigemo as he was on the verge of death and wanted to go down swinging. Mahoraga was expected to disappear once both died, with Sukuna's interference being unexpected.

Megumi has also proved to be beyond selfless. Most of the time, he sees only the well-being of others, not himself. For instance, he wanted to check on his comrades following the Dagon fight. Again, his primary aim in the Culling Game was Tsumiki's preservation and not his own.

Megumi Fushiguro was the vicitim

With the aforementioned established, it is time to refer to Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 251, due to whose events the fandom seems to belittle Megumi. Yuji managed to break through, but was greeted by a shattered Megumi, which was completely Sukuna's twisted misdeeds.

Megumi Fushiguro was the victim of the Shinjuku Arc, whose trauma often goes unnoticed as it isn't explicitly shown, like Yuji's or even Gojo's.

Unlike Yuji, who was a vessel, Sukuna forcefully invaded Megumi's body. He then proceeded to hurt his friends before sinking himself in a toxic bath to "break" his spirit, and even killing Tsumiki (Yaorozu's vessel).

Moreover, unlike Yuji having Todo to pull him back up from the depths, Megumi had no one. Although Yuji was forever bent on saving Megumi, that didn't happen till deep into the Shinjuku Arc.

Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 251 was a testament to how depraved Sukuna was. His actions were solely fixated on breaking someone strong-willed like Megumi, which was successful. In essence, Sukuna inflicted crippling mental injury on the boy— trauma that isn't easy to deal with. Moreover, Yuji being stunned by Megumi's appearance in chapter 251 speaks volumes.

It wasn't until chapter 266 (Yuji's Soul Dismantle and Heartfelt appeal) that Megumi was able to gradually recover, crediting Nobara's return too. This is symbolically akin to someone gradually recovering from depression or a similar disorder. The fandom making light of Megumi's state shows a grave misunderstanding of his character.

Emotional and mental damage is tough to recover from, and Megumi cannot be blamed for Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 251's events. It was everything leading up to it that broke him.

Final Thoughts

Jujutsu Kaisen's Megumi Fushiguro was likely meant to parallel his partner Yuji. While Yuji's trials and tribulations were made a show of, Megumi was fighting a more silent and internally destroying battle.

Despite facing such vile attacks from Sukuna for nearly the entire duration of the series, Megumi was still able to fight back in the end. It was a symbol of picking oneself up despite overwhelming odds.