What happened to Tengen at the end of Jujutsu Kaisen? Explored

Modified Nov 30, 2024 04:30 GMT

Master Tengen in Jujutsu Kaisen (Image via MAPPA) — Master Tengen in Jujutsu Kaisen (Image via Shueisha)

In Jujutsu Kaisen, Master Tengen was a vital presence whose existence kept both Jujutsu schools and auxiliary managers' barrier techniques intact. An immortal being, Tengen functioned as the stabilizing force powering barriers that protected Jujutsu High and maintained equilibrium in the world. But their unique existence also made them a target for powerful antagonists.

Tengen's fate took a drastic turn at the climax of the Culling Game Arc. Kenjaku managed to capture Tengen and completed the pre-merger preparation. Fortunately, Team Jujutsu High prevented the merger and saved sorcerers and humanity. Thus, by the end of Jujutsu Kaisen, Tengen's remnants were stored away with Sukuna's.

But even so, Tengen being seized by Kenjaku was critical in the story, underscoring the unpredictable narrative. As such, Tengen, being the key to such an event, raised the stakes and the urgency for the Jujutsu sorcerers to fight back.

Jujutsu Kaisen: The Merger and Tengen's fate

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Tengen made limited appearances in Jujutsu Kaisen. Their main duty was to maintain barrier techniques to safeguard Jujutsu institutions and bolster supplement managers' barrier techniques. Their Immortality Cursed Technique would reset at a certain age and require a body change. If unfulfilled, Tengen would evolve greatly, lose their will, and potentially become a threat to humanity.

As such, they found themselves in the sights of Kenjaku. The twisted sorcerer wished to complete "The Merger" of Tengen with humanity merely to satisfy his curiosity. In a brief conversation with Yuki Tsukumo following the Shibuya Incident, Kenjaku revealed that he wanted to merge much of humanity with Master Tengen to optimize cursed energy.

Through this merger, Kenjaku felt that cursed energy would be refined to its maximum, and as a result, humanity would evolve further. Given Tengen's immense power and cursed energy, the merger might have led to the birth of a massive and all-powerful Cursed Spirit. Kenjaku had been plotting the merger for centuries, but fortunately, his plan was foiled, preventing this potentially disastrous event.

The Shinjuku Showdown Arc witnessed the defeat and deaths of both Kenjaku and Ryomen Sukuna. Despite completing the pre-merger preparation, Team Jujutsu High succeeded in saving Megumi Fushiguro and foiled the plan. Tengen's remnants were found among Sukuna's remains. Yoshinobu Gakuganji decided to preserve the Demon King's remains to maintain Tengen's barriers around Japan until an appropriate solution could be devised.

Tengen's role in Jujutsu Kaisen

Yuji, Tengen and Yuki in Jujutsu Kaisen (Image via Shueisha)

In Jujutsu Kaisen, Master Tengen played the crucial role of being a pillar contributing to the stability of Jujutsu Society. Immortal and skilled in barrier techniques, Tengen's existence was foundational in maintaining the barriers, protecting the Jujutsu World, and ensuring its functionality.

However, Tengen's immortality came with the caveat of needing a change of body every 500 years. It added an emotional depth to the Star Plasma Vessel that Tengen had to merge with, i.e., Riko Amanai. Kenjaku's twisted curiosity about compromising cursed energy and humanity just to witness the results of the merger added another layer to Tengen's role in the overall narrative.

They were a protector of humanity, but they needed Yuki and Choso's contributions as bodyguards. Tengen would also be a liability if Kenjaku's plan had reached fruition. Tengen's information on Kenjaku, the Prison Realm, and the Culling Game added to the protagonists' sense of direction. Moreover, their insights also shed light on the Six Eyes, Star Plasma Vessels, and Kenjaku’s long-standing trickeries.

Tengen’s presence highlighted how intertwined and connected Jujutsu, history, and humanity’s continuity were. Thus, despite being in a supporting role, Tengen was a central figure in the struggle against Kenjaku’s depraved ambitions.

Final thoughts

Kenjaku in Jujutsu Kaisen (Image via MAPPA)

Jujutsu Kaisen did a stellar job of drawing parallels and connecting events as the story progressed. Such interconnectedness and dependencies depict creator Gege Akutami's ability to be as intricate as possible. Not only the main cast but supporting characters such as Tengen were also a substantial part of the overall narrative.

In Tengen's case, their existence and abilities fueled Kenjaku to plot and scheme over thousands of years. They seemed to be the main driver for the ancient sorcerer's actions, which, fortunately, did not happen. However, many will agree that it would have been intriguing to see the merger if Akutami had chosen to go down that route and allow it to actually happen.

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Edited by Shreya Das