“Such a gravely severe misconception… I won’t stop at simply mincing you to bits, brat. Right in front of your eyes, I’ll slaughter each and every human being you claim to be oh-so valuable!”

- Sukuna to Yuji

***SPOILERS FOR CULLING GAME ARC AND BEYOND - READ AT YOUR OWN RISK***

Amidst its fast-paced and action-packed narrative, Jujutsu Kaisen is well-appreciated for its expansive cast of unique and interesting characters. The series features a range of memorable, well-written characters, protagonists and villains alike. Another intriguing factor in its success is its depiction as a subversion of Shonen tropes, in that it doesn’t hesitate to eliminate major characters.

One of its well-written and compelling characters is Sukuna, the famed King of Curses, who’s terrorized the Jujutsu community since its golden age. Beyond his overwhelming strength and terrifying presence, Sukuna is a figure of mystery and intrigue. His influence affects his enemies and unwilling allies, making him more than just a force of destruction.

As a relic of the past and a threat to the present, Sukuna’s character warrants a deeper look that explores his power, psychology, and reception in Jujutsu Kaisen. This article delves into all that makes him one of the series' most compelling and feared figures.

Who is Sukuna?

Ryomen Sukuna was the most powerful Jujutsu sorcerer. He serves as one of the two primary antagonists, alongside Kenjaku. He is also appraised as the unrivaled King of Curses and serves as the arch-nemesis of Satoru Gojo and Yuji Itadori, his grandnephew. He is Wasuke Itadori’s brother and Uraume’s master.

Sukuna | Origins & Myth

Ryomen Sukuna’s origins date back more than a thousand years, born a twin to a poor and starving mother. Motivated by primal instincts from the very beginning, he devoured his twin, unwittingly paving the way for his resurgence centuries later. His early life was characterized by isolation and abandonment, which ignited a profound bitterness that ultimately shaped his violent journey. 

As he matured, Sukuna became a formidable sorcerer in the Golden Age of Jujutsu, notorious for his merciless extermination of other sorcerers. During this period, he came across Uraume, a child whose cursed technique allowed him to freeze anyone nearby to death. Intrigued, Sukuna welcomed him, sensing a shared essence. As time passed, Uraume evolved into his devoted subordinate.

In the Heian Era, Sukuna's unparalleled strength resulted in the slaughter of entire clans, notably the Five Empty Generals and the Stars, Sun, and Moon Squads of the Fujiwara Clan’s elite forces. Nevertheless, despite his esteemed status as a deity, he showed little regard for human feelings. Even when Yorozu attempted to connect with him, he replied solely with harshness. 

Before his demise, Sukuna discovered a method to challenge death. With Kenjaku’s assistance, he divided his soul into twenty fingers, crafting cursed objects that would sustain his existence. As time passed, his power continued to expand, guaranteeing his certain resurgence to instill fear in the contemporary world.

A thousand years later, one night in June 2018, Sukuna was brought into existence when Yuji Itadori, a high school student, ingested one of his fingers. Sukuna found himself confined within Yuji's body, seldom taking control, until he successfully shifted his soul into Megumi Fushiguro's body.

Sukuna In Japanese Mythology

Ryomen Sukuna, a person of the same name in Japanese mythology, inspires the character of Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen. According to the Nihon Shoki (also called the Chronicles of Japan), he is a spectral or demonic being that first emerged in Japan’s Hida Province (now Gifu Prefecture) in the fourth century during Emperor Nintoku’s reign. 

He was a being of extraordinary might and was described as having two faces on his head, with eight limbs on his body – four arms and four legs, each serving either of his faces. He also wielded many weapons in his hands and terrorized nearly all the villages in old Hida, pillaging and destroying everything he came across, and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Later on, the Imperial Court dispatched Takefurukuma no Mikoto, a valiant army commander to put an end to Sukuna’s tyranny and drive him from Hida.

Ryomen Sukuna was revered by some as a deity, and statues showcasing his uniquely two-faced appearance can still be discovered today in the temples and shrines of Gifu.

Sukuna | Physical Appearance

Actual Appearance

Sukuna is a strong and muscular man who stands tall at 173cm with four eyes, four limbs, and a big mouth across his abdomen. He has four red eyes (two normal, with smaller ones beneath each eye) and short pinkish-red hair. The two eyes on the right are positioned differently on an entity that resembles a plate of hard white skin covering only the right half of his face.

Also, he has tattoos all over his body, which appear on his vessel whenever he possesses one and is in control. The majority of the tattoos on his face, abdomen, upper arms, wrists, and torso are black lines in an artistic form. His shoulders are likewise inked with black dots. 

When these tattoos appear on a two-armed vessel, circles develop on the black dots on his shoulders, and the lines around the wrists and upper arms are doubled. Because of his hideous look, many people called Sukuna a monster.

In Yuji Itadori

When Sukuna reincarnated in Yuji Itadori, he took on Yuji’s appearance, but with his tattoos visible and his spiked hair pushed forward a little. Underneath his natural eyes, spawned a second set of smaller eyes whenever he took control. However, whenever he was in his domain, he wore a black scarf, a pale-colored kimono with black edging, and black sandals.

In Megumi Fushiguro

When he manifested in Megumi as his new vessel, he also took on the young sorcerer’s physical appearance, but with his hair pushed forward. Once again, his tattoos appeared on Megumi’s body, and, like Yuji, a second set of eyes appeared beneath his natural eyes. He was dressed in black haori (a traditional Japanese jacket worn over a kimono) white slacks, black sandals, a black undershirt, and a white kimono that was held together by a black belt. 

Sukuna | Personality 

“There is no one in this world more proud and conceited. He lives guided only by his pleasure and displeasure.”

- Nanami Kento speaking about Sukuna

Sukuna’s personality is the culmination of arrogance, brutality, and incomparable might. Knowing fully well that his strength cannot be matched by anyone else’s, he exudes complete confidence that’s closer to pride. Due to his overwhelming prowess, he believes that no one deserves his respect, as he regards curses and sorcerers with the same contempt. He also believes that the weak are mere toys to be crushed, and he enjoys playing with everyone who challenges him, reveling in the thrill of combat.

Sukuna is one of the most sadistic characters in Jujutsu Kaisen, as he enjoys inflicting pain and often prolongs fights simply to enjoy the suffering of his opponents before he defeats them. He also has a tendency and dire need for control, as being the strongest makes him want to be feared and have others cower in fear of him.

Nevertheless, despite his extreme cruelty, Sukuna possesses a remarkable level of intelligence. He is calculating and strategic, yet he also embodies a mindless destroyer who remains indifferent to the consequences of his actions. He examines and evaluates his opponents, capitalizes on their weaknesses, and sets an advantage for himself. 

Lastly, Sukuna is a very erratic character. He can suddenly burst into ferocious bloodlust after being eerily calm and collected. His sense of honor is warped, as he respects strong opponents but never gives them the impression that they are on par with him. Simply put, Sukuna is a character that thrives on chaos, destruction, and demonstrating that he is and always will be the supreme entity.

Sukuna | Motivations

Ryomen Sukuna's motivations stem from an insatiable desire for power and complete autonomy. He is not driven by ideology, revenge, or a higher purpose—his only concern is his own supremacy. Sukuna seeks battle not out of necessity but for the thrill of reveling in destruction as a means of asserting his dominance. His lack of proper motivation makes his character lack depth, making him one of the shallowest characters in Jujutsu Kaisen.

However, unlike conventional villains, he is methodical, exercising patience and being laid-back when it serves his interests. This was evident in his calculated pursuit of Megumi Fushiguro’s technique, as that was a long-term strategy rather than a reckless or spontaneous conquest. He does not merely seek power but ensures it is wielded most effectively. Deep inside, Sukuna values strength above all else, dismissing the weak and acknowledging only those strong enough to entertain him. 

Sukuna | Relationships

Sukuna was a lone wolf who never really associated with anyone, as he was feared by all, sorcerers and curses alike. However, he did interact with some characters in the story, some of which include: 

Yuji Itadori | The Inconvenient Vessel

Sukuna's relationship with Yuji is characterized by disdain and a sense of opportunity. He perceives Yuji merely as a temporary vessel, ridiculing his principles and treating him as a nuisance, especially as he couldn't gain full control. Nonetheless, he acknowledges Yuji’s potential and resilience, using his body to serve his own purposes, while he waits and schemes. The binding vow he imposes on Yuji was a testament to his manipulative character, that he is not interested in any form of partnership, but rather in asserting his control.

However, Yuji did suffer considerably due to Sukuna’s presence. As his perfect host who gave Sukuna a great chance at reincarnation, Yuji got a target on his back, and had to struggle with the devastation wrought by Sukuna, from the slaughter of innocents in Shibuya to seizing control of Megumi. Sukuna’s cruelty drives Yuji into a profound spiral of guilt, which propelled him to develop stronger resolve and become more battle-hardened.

This may come as a surprising revelation, but Sukuna and Yuji Itadori share a blood relation. This is due to the fact that Jin Itadori, Yuji’s father, is the reincarnation of Sukuna’s twin brother, which means that Sukuna is Yuji’s uncle. Yuji’s mother, Kaori Itadori, was also Kenjaku’s vessel at that time, which also explains why Choso referred to Yuji as his brother, since he is likewise Kenjaku’s son.

Megumi Fushiguro | The Perfect Vessel

Sukuna shows a profound interest in Megumi, opposed distinctly with his indifference/slight hatred towards Yuji. From their initial meeting, he recognizes Megumi’s hidden potential and bides his time for the perfect opportunity to take control of his body, even to the point of protecting the young sorcerer. Sukuna's interest in Megumi is calculated, as he sees the Ten Shadows Technique as a way to increase his strength. His interactions with Megumi focus less on rivalry and more on possession, as he carefully orchestrates events to possess and assert control over him.

His eventual possession of Megumi caused a change in the boy’s destiny, transforming him from a promising sorcerer to a mere vessel and pawn in Sukuna’s plans. This not only affects Yuji mentally, but also eliminates Megumi from being an ally of the Jujutsu society.

Satoru Gojo | The Archenemy

Sukuna holds a deep respect for strength, and Gojo stands out as one of the rare individuals he recognizes as a formidable opponent. Their fight transcends mere strength; it is a collision of ideologies, for while Gojo symbolizes the peak of modern-day sorcery, Sukuna embodies primal, ancient supremacy.

Sukuna’s triumph over Satoru Gojo changed the power dynamics of the Jujutsu society, as that implied the loss of their greatest sorcerer. This led the remaining sorcerers to reevaluate their options, reassess their prospects for winning and survival, before deciding what their next course of action/response would be.

Uraume | The Devoted Follower

Uraume is probably Sukuna’s only genuine loyalist, one who’s been serving him with unwavering devotion. Their relationship is deeply rooted in ancient history, as Uraume has been with him since he was terrorizing the Jujutsu community during the Heian Era. While Uraume was a child he took in to serve as his maid, who then became his subordinate, he has no emotional attachment to him.

Jogo And Other Curses

Sukuna looks down on most curses, as he considers them inferior. His interactions with Jogo reveal much about this, and while he recognizes Jogo’s strength, he mocks him and kills him without any hesitation, after using him for amusement. Sukuna treats other curses in a way that shows his belief in being the strongest, and that he isn’t the same as them, neither would he ever be allies or part of their ploys or schemes.

Sukuna | Skills, Abilities, And Techniques

Physical and Intellectual Abilities

Superhuman Strength

Ryomen Sukuna possesses extraordinary superhuman strength, effortlessly overpowering opponents with his sheer physical might. Right after his reincarnation in Yuji, with the powers of a single finger, he destroyed a large cursed spirit with a simple swipe and cracked a building’s roof with a punch. At two fingers, he easily dominated a Finger Bearer and Megumi Fushiguro, crushing a special-grade curse underfoot and launching Megumi through buildings. At fifteen fingers, he was able to kill Jogo, severely injure Mahoraga, and cause massive destruction in Shibuya.

Explosive Speed & Quick Reflexes 

With his incredible speed and reflexes, Sukuna can easily overpower his opponents. He took down a Finger Bearer with just two fingers, and with three, he easily outperformed Megumi and his Shikigami, evading their strikes without difficulty. He even moved at such speed that neither Panda nor Atsuya Kusakabe could keep up with him and even managed to keep pace with Mahoraga, evading and countering before quickly defeating him.

Close Combat 

Sukuna excels in close-quarters combat, where he combines his great physical power with skillful technique. He easily defeated Megumi with unrefined blows and caused serious harm to special-grade curses such as Jogo and Mahoraga. He has better martial arts skills than most sorcerers, as he’s always able to block and counter attacks without effort during fights. He showcased his remarkable combat skills even while inhabiting Megumi’s body, managing to contend with Maki Zenin and Yuji at the same time in fierce close-quarters confrontations.

Exceptional Resilience

Sukuna has incredible resilience, fortifying his body with cursed energy to endure fatal hits. Even while occupying Yuji's body, he survived being punched through five buildings with no visible harm. During his encounter with Satoru Gojo, he escaped an amplified Hollow Technique, one of the most damaging assaults ever, by resisting at the last second and losing just his hands.

Tactical Genius

Sukuna has an outstanding tactical intellect, which allows him to instantly assess and counter his opponents' abilities with lethal accuracy. His experience with, and knowledge of cursed techniques allows him to decipher the mechanics of cursed techniques after just seeing them once or twice, as seen in his duel with Mahoraga. He meticulously developed a strategy to take over Megumi's body and executed it at the ideal time. Even in difficult situations, Sukuna maintains his composure, devising plans on the fly to outmaneuver and defeat his opponents.

Cursed Energy Usage And Techniques

Sukuna is one of the most feared characters in Jujutsu history, as his cursed energy usage is unique. His reserves are so great that he can unleash powerful attacks back-to-back without running out. The sheer volume of cursed energy he wields makes even special grade curses and sorcerers shiver and cower in fear, as theirs pale compared to his. 

Also, he has extensive knowledge of the mechanics and use of cursed energy. He sometimes reinforces his body to increase his strength and durability or pumps raw power into his attacks to make them deadlier. Every action he takes is deliberate; he wastes nothing and always maximizes his destructive capacity.

Furthermore, Sukuna’s cursed energy has an unsettling, even unearthly aura. It is not just strong, it feels inherently evil, and overwhelms everyone who stands in his presence. 

Sukuna’s cursed technique is known as Mizushi or Shrine. It allows him to unleash deadly invisible slashes over distances, capable of cutting through space and anything in its path, while also rousing ravaging flames. Mizushi can be used in a number of ways.

Hachi – Cleave or Fillet 

This is a technique in which Sukuna modifies his slicing attack to match his opponent’s cursed energy and strength, cutting them down in one single strike. To use this technique, he must maintain physical contact with his target, except he uses it in his domain.

Kumo no Ito – Spiderweb 

This is a modification of Cleave, wherein Sukuna touches the ground before activating the technique, and his slashes take the form of a spider’s webs. This technique adapts to the strength of his environment and quickly breaks and collapses the ground.

Kai – Dismantle

This is the most basic of Sukuna’s long-distance slashing attacks, which is very efficient against cursed spirits and sorcerers. He later learned to improve the efficacy and range of Kai by broadening its target area to include the world itself and transform it into Sekai o Tatsu Zangeki, which means “Slashes that cut the world.”

Kamino – Divine Flame 

This is a technique that Sukuna can only perform after he’s performed Cleave and Dismantle. To activate Divine Flame, Sukuna chants “Fuga”, which means “Open”, and makes hand signs like pulling an arrow in a bow, creating a seemingly tiny fire wave that’s deadly even in long-range attacks.

His other cursed techniques are the following.

Tokusa no Kage Bojutsu – Ten Shadows Technique

After taking on Megumi's body, Sukuna was able to use the Zenin Clan's highly valued inherited technique. This enabled him to use his shadows as a conduit to call out 10 distinct shikigami, even the ones that Megumi hadn’t yet dominated. Additionally, it gives him general control over shadows, enabling him to conceal himself in them or conceal items in his.

After he possessed Megumi, the shikigami he dominates include:

Madoka – Round Deer: This is a shikigami that is in the form of a deer. It has the ability to execute reverse cursed technique, allowing it to generate positive energy for healing others or neutralizing cursed energy.

Koso – Tiger Funeral: Its capabilities and appearance are yet unknown.

Kangyu – Piercing Ox: It inflicts damage by rushing and bashing into opponents. Despite that it only moves in a straight line, the force of its impact increases as it runs on.

Nue: Kon – Kango Ju Agito – Nue: Totality – Merged Beast Agito: This shikigami is a result of the fusion of Tiger Funeral, Nue, Great Serpent, and Round Deer. The humanoid shikigami that emerges stands as tall as Mahoraga, capable of generating electricity from its fists and possessing the ability to heal or regenerate itself and others by using a reverse cursed technique.

Hanten Jutsushiki - Reverse Cursed Technique

Apart from his expertise in using cursed energy and techniques, Sukuna also has profound knowledge of using reverse cursed techniques. This is a rare technique that involves converting his cursed energy into positive energy that can be used to heal himself, or others. He then got better at it, after learning a more advanced usage of it from Satoru Gojo. He could refill his cursed energy by damaging the section of his brain where cursed energy is written, healing it up, and letting it help fill him back up with cursed energy.

Domain Expansion

Fukuma Mizushi – Malevolent Shrine: When activated, Sukuna’s innate domain expansion spawns a Buddhist temple filled with skulls, and his two major techniques, Cleave and Dismantle also activate and cut down every other object or person within the domain, depending on the level of its cursed energy.

Malevolent Shrine is the second strongest domain expansion in Jujutsu Kaisen, and it is different from all others, in that instead of creating and spawning within a barrier, it simply manifests in the area where it’s activated, as an open domain. This provides an escape route which in turn becomes a binding vow that significantly expands the maximum effective area of its guaranteed hit to a radius of about 200 meters.

Anti–Domain Techniques 

Ryo’iki Ten’en – Domain Amplification: This takes the shape of an aura that surrounds Sukuna inside his domain. His mastery of domain amplification enables him to maintain its effect in conjunction with domain expansion. An example application was when he neutralized Gojo's Limitless technique using this method and succeeded in physically touching him.

Iyako Tsuzura – Hollow Wicker Basket: This anti-domain technique precedes simple domain. When activated, a basket-like barrier is erected that negates a domain’s barrier and effectively nullifies the guaranteed-hit effect. 

Cursed Tools

Hiten: This is a cursed tool resembling a trishula trident, once wielded by Sukuna when he was alive a thousand years ago. The extent of its capabilities remains unclear. 

Kamutoke: A formidable, vajra-like cursed tool once wielded by Sukuna a millennium ago, known for its ability to discharge electricity. Yorozu created an exact copy for Sukuna to use after his reincarnation, using a binding vow right before her death.

Sukuna | Fan Reception

Sukuna has left a lasting impact on the Jujutsu Kaisen anime and manga series, earning widespread recognition as one of the most formidable and well-crafted villains in contemporary anime. His personality and abilities give him a rather malicious and terrifying presence, and he is seen as the ultimate anime villain, adored and feared for his unpredictability and immense power.

Sukuna's cruelty and indifference significantly drive the storyline of the series. His shocking choice to kill Yuji early established the series' tone, signaling that nothing was off-limits. His relationship with Yuji is compelling, with their ongoing struggle adding tension and unpredictability to the story. The contrast in their personalities, Yuji’s moral integrity versus Sukuna’s malice, engages audiences and prompts thought-provoking philosophical questions.  

Sukuna's presence is likened to other iconic anime characters with dark alter-egos, especially those battling inner demons. His temptation for power reflects the internal struggles of many Shonen protagonists, highlighting key themes of control, identity, and corruption in Jujutsu Kaisen.  

Sukuna, despite being a villain, is a fan favorite and often ranks high in popularity polls (usually in the top 15). His influence on the anime world clearly establishes him as a standout antagonist in recent years.