Sukuna was always meant to change in Jujutsu Kaisen and his character arc proves it

Jujutsu Kaisen's final chapter 271 was released on September 30, 2024, and, surprisingly, the chapter showcased Sukuna's personality change from the King of Curses to someone who hoped for a 'different' second coming. However, him turning a new page could have been foreshadowed by his actions from the initial arcs, especially the Culling Game arc.

The King of Curses was also known as the strongest sorcerer of the past and he confirmed this during the flashback of Culling Game as someone who lived according to his own will. However, his being reincarnated was the first hint that he wasn't following his own will.

Deep inside, he also had a caring side and he couldn't display it because the world treated him as a demon. Most of this could be related to his birth as an unwanted child, which was revealed during his conversation with Kashimo. So, he was destined to change at the end after he tasted defeat from someone whose heart was clear as glass.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the Jujutsu Kaisen manga series and has the author's opinion.

---

Jujutsu Kaisen: Exploring the foreshadowing of Sukuna's change in the last chapter

The King of Curses as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 271 showcased a third and last encounter between Mahito and the King of Curses. As Mahito had already passed, he was present at the start of the cycle (the cycle after which a cursed spirit is reborn) as a vestige. He mocked the King of Curses over how he couldn't live according to his own will as the strongest and was beaten by Itadori.

While the King of Curses didn't deny Mahito's allegations, he admitted that he lived according to the way he felt. Moreover, he also said that it would be nice to go down a different path if he was reborn again, baffling Mahito who was expecting to hear something else. However, the King of Curses admitted that he had to change because he lost.

Ryomen Sukuna was known as the strongest sorcerer of the past, during the Heian Era. Due to this, he was feared by everyone, be it cursed spirits or cursed sorcerers. However, the story of how Sukuna became such a beast is different.

During the Culling Game arc, after the demise of Gojo Satoru, Kashimo jumped onto the battlefield to fight the King of Curses. During their battle, the manga series showcased glimpses of their meeting in the past where Ryomen Sukuna admitted that he was a selfish person who never cared for others and lived his life how he saw fit.

Moreover, during his life, Sukuna also revealed how he was born an unwanted child due to his ugly face, and this made him seek revenge against the humans who branded him a 'curse.' So, this was his motivation to keep going in life and become the strongest sorcerer in history.

However, these two situations do not match because if Sukuna had lived his life by his own will, he would have been satisfied with his death and would have never been reborn as a curse (which actually happened). So, there could be something lingering deep inside him that caused the 'change' in him in the final chapter.

Sukuna and Jogo as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

As sinister and ruthless as the King of Curses may be, he was still a human at the end who wanted to see others at their peak. These feelings were more expressed against cursed spirits as compared to humans. During this battle against the special-grade cursed spirit, the King of Curses gave it appreciation to keep fighting and show its true potential.

Moreover, the same happened against Jogo and the King of Curses even praised him, which was something unlikely for him. So, the King of Curses turning a new page was already indicated in the fight against Kashimo through his 'aims' that were just a facade.

---

Related Links

• Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 271 spoilers
• Why Sukuna's death in Jujutsu Kaisen is perfect for his character
• Sukuna had the perfect end in Jujutsu Kaisen
• The final villain in Jujutsu Kaisen may not be Sukuna