Sukuna: Sukuna evading Jacob's Ladder makes perfect sense, and Jujutsu Kaisen has always showed why

Sukuna evading Jacob's Ladder makes perfect sense, and Jujutsu Kaisen has always showed why

Modified Aug 01, 2024 14:22 GMT

Ryomen Sukuna and Hana Kurusu/Angel (Image via Sportskeeda) — Ryomen Sukuna and Hana Kurusu/Angel (Image via Gege Akutami, Shueisha)

Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 264 highlighted an important detail that many may have missed. The chapter continued Yuji Itadori and Todo Aoi's fight against Ryomen Sukuna, with the former pair receiving back-up from Hana Kurusu/Angel.

Hana, having been gravely injured previously, returned to help out Team Jujutsu High at Yuta Okkotsu's request. Her Innate Technique, Technique Extinguishment, was being used as a last resort to hopefully pin down Sukuna. But that is where the plan fell short and the Demon King evaded her attack.

With the release of the chapter, many wondered how that was possible since she was using her attack at its maximum capacity. To put it briefly, losing an arm earlier was the reason her attack didn't possess the same output.

Jujutsu Kaisen's history shows why Sukuna could evade Jacob's Ladder

Ryomen Sukuna (Image via Gege Akutami, Shueisha)

To add a bit of context, Hana Kurusu/Angel made a surprise appearance and immediately fired off her Maximum Output: Jacob's Ladder. The massive pillar of light that descended from the sky was meant to slow down the King of Curses to give Yuji and Todo the advantage.

But Sukuna was quick to react, showing just why he stood at the top of the food chain. By smashing his fist into the ground, he created flying debris which he used as footing to ascend the pillar of light and make his way up to the Angel. Despite being weakened, he planned to take Hana/Angel down with him.

This moment seemed to confuse the fandom as many wondered how he was able to pull off something like that. But Jujutsu Kaisen has previously addressed this. As per the series' lore, losing a body part is a substantial blow to a sorcerer's Jujutsu capacity.

Also read: Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 265 spoilers

Sukuna and Hana/Angel (Image via Gege Akutami, Shueisha)

Moreover, Hana/Angel were two beings coexisting in one body or shell, which meant that they depended on Angel's Cursed Technique (CT). As Sukuna describes it, they were a "strong technique in a weak shell". This difference was made more obvious credit to Hana missing an arm. Further, losing a limb meant a weaker flow of Cursed Energy (CE) which in turn affected her Jujutsu.

This reduction in CE which subsequently affects Jujutsu sorcery was seen when Yuki Tsukumo and Choso fought Kenjaku. During the fight, Yuki suffered serious physical damage which weakened her Star Rage.

Another glaring example of this is Sukuna himself, who upon losing 2 arms, worked around this disadvantage by using chants and hand signs to keep up his World Cutting Slash. Similarly, Todo had to equip the Vibraslap which gave him back access to Boogie Woogie.

Final thoughts

Jujutsu Kaisen staying true to its power system is admirable and shows that creator Gege Akutami prioritizes the finer details. Hana's first encounter with the Demon King when he had taken over Megumi Fushiguro was definitely jarring for her and left its mark, as seen in chapter 264.

This whole incident also highlights Sukuna's aptitude for battle. He was quick to realize that the Angel's technique was weaker than before and it was this quick thinking that enabled him to ascend the pillar of light and decommission both Hana and Todo via a powerful Black Flash.