Jujutsu Kaisen snagged the top spot as Anime of the Year during the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo. Fans have been raving about its gripping storyline, dynamic characters, and the intriguing Jujutsu universe.
As the anime wrapped up its second season, the manga delves even deeper into the action. The stakes are high as Team Jujutsu High battles Ryomen Sukuna without the aid of Gojo Satoru.
Protagonist Yuji Itadori finds himself in a dark place, determined to end Sukuna’s reign of terror. Their shared body and Sukuna’s past atrocities intensify Yuji’s animosity towards him, setting the stage for a fierce showdown.
Yet, Yuji’s role in this conflict runs deeper than mere chance. As the story unfolds, fans wonder if Sukuna is aware of Yuji’s true identity.
Yuji From Ordinary Teenager to Cursed Womb Death Painting
To truly grasp Yuji Itadori’s character, it’s important to peel back the layers. Initially, he appears as a talented teenager thrust into the perilous world of Jujutsu due to unfortunate circumstances.
However, as the narrative unfolds, fans uncover a deeper truth about Yuji. He’s not just any ordinary teenager; he’s a Cursed Womb Death Painting, one of a select few and perhaps the most powerful among them.
These Death Painting Wombs are unique entities born from the fusion of Cursed Spirit and human blood. When fully manifested, they rival Special-Grade Cursed Spirits in power. Their physical forms resemble that of ordinary humans, making them indistinguishable from regular people or even sorcerers.
In a significant twist, Kenjaku had possessed the body of Yuji’s mother, Kaori Itadori (as revealed in chapter 143). During this time, he altered Yuji, shaping him into a vessel for Ryomen Sukuna and granting him extraordinary physical prowess along with the ability to perceive Cursed Spirits.
By swallowing Sukuna’s finger, Yuji unwittingly sealed his destiny, paving the way for him to become the vessel for the Demon King. In essence, Yuji Itadori’s existence can be traced back to Kenjaku, making him essentially Kenjaku’s offspring.
The Enigmatic Connection Between Yuji Itadori and Sukuna
Based on the events in Jujutsu Kaisen, Sukuna appears unaware of Yuji’s true identity; to him, Yuji was merely a vessel until he shifted his attention to Megumi Fushiguro. However, there’s an undeniable link between Yuji and Sukuna.
In chapter 248, Sukuna finally acknowledges Yuji, frustrated by his unwavering convictions. Despite facing defeat multiple times, Yuji resolutely stands by his ideals, even challenging someone as formidable as Sukuna regardless of the consequences.
Furthermore, in the same chapter, Sukuna hints at a connection between the Jujutsu High sorcerers and someone he knew “1000 years ago.” This individual remains a mystery, but one plausible theory suggests it could be Sukuna the Sorcerer, before he became the Curse.
Before attaining his immense power, Sukuna might have been a sorcerer driven by a singular goal—to become the strongest. This pursuit likely led him to extreme measures in his quest for power. However, upon transforming into Sukuna the Curse, he abandoned such ideals, living according to his own desires.