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Of the entire cast of Jujutsu Kaisen, Sukuna has gained immense popularity in not just the fandom but also the anime community. His infamy is only rivaled by the love and admiration for Gojo.
The King of Curses commands this kind of fame for absolutely correct reasons. As popular he is, the jujutsu society fears him for perfectly good reason too.
He was a fearful shaman-turned-curse, and he still lives as an indestructible curse through his fingers.
Itadori eating these cursed objects might have suppressed Sukuna, but he sometimes peeked out to bring anguish to his host. In these rare but scary appearances, Sukuna has shown us a few of his powers.
Now that he has occupied Megumi’s body and completed the bath, I believe that we will see him at his full potential very soon. In Sukuna’s own words, Megumi is not the prison Itadori was. So yeah, we might see him letting loose soon.
However, the small fraction of what we have seen from Sukuna itself has sparked off discussions and speculations about his cursed techniques. Surely, there is nothing that concerns ‘ordinary’ when it comes to his powers.
The vast amount of information and number of speculations might become tough to grasp.
So, here is all we know about Sukuna’s cursed techniques and abilities, as well as theories about the same from Jujutsu Kaisen.
Haijimemashouka?
Table of Contents
What is Sukuna’s cursed technique?
We have seen Sukuna’s cursed techniques only a few times in the manga until now. Actually, we can count these “times” on the fingers of one hand: against a cursed womb at the start and in the Shibuya arc.
But one thing is clear; Jujutsu Kaisen Sukuna’s cursed techniques are among the strongest ones in the story. And there is one more thing: Sukuna does not have only one cursed technique.
At the very least, he has two, and about the rest? We will discuss that further ahead.
For starters, here is all that we know from these couple of instances about Sukuna’s cursed technique:
1. Dismantle & Cleave
Sukuna’s innate cursed technique seems to be the Dismantle and Cleave technique because we saw him use it both times. Both of them are slashing attacks, but there are a bit special.
Sukuna’s cursed technique is invisible, meaning his opponents can’t actually see the slashing attacks at all.
We can think of Dismantle and Cleave as two different knives, as the manga illustrates it as well.
So, there is no rocket science in figuring out that Dismantle and Cleave slice Sukuna’s opponents into pieces at high speed. Sukuna does not even need to touch the opponent to attack them.
But the range of his invisible attacks without domain expansion has not been specified yet.
Dismantle is the default slash technique Sukuna uses, mostly against inanimate and weak objects, it seems.
The only time Jujutsu Kaisen Sukuna used only Dismantle is in the Cursed Womb arc; he used it to cut the finger-bearer apart. He also uses it for any entity without cursed energy.
On the other hand, the Cleave attack is different. Sukuna can adjust Cleave depending on the target’s toughness and level of cursed energy.
It slices the opponent ‘at one fell swoop’ or in a single quick movement. Sukuna has not used Cleave exclusively in the story until now but combined it with Dismantle against Mahoraga in the Shibuya arc.
As we touched upon before, Dismantle and Cleave give Sukuna a powerful domain expansion as well. His domain, Malevolent Shrine, allows Sukuna to use both slash attacks simultaneously within the range of 200 meters.
He can even decide the course of action for the attacks, i.e., which attack should apply to which entity.
It is still remarkable that Sukuna’s Dismantle and Cleave alone (paired with his domain) could defeat Mahoraga.
This astonishment comes from the fact that Mahoraga is supposed to be the strongest shikigami of the Ten Shadows Technique. Moreover, Gojo even compared Ten Shadows to Limitless & Six Eyes.
Well, that is not a question to address here. 😛 Moving on!
2. Open▯
We were familiar with a shaman being able to use two techniques, case in point: Gojo Satoru. Gojo has both the Limitless AND Six-Eyes, which make him invincible.
Yep, invincible enough not to be able to come out of a damn box.
Even Okkotsu Yuta could use Inumaki’s Cursed Speech in Jujutsu Kaisen 0 against Geto.
However, we were still amazed when Sukuna used a mysterious ‘redacted’ power twice against Mahoraga and Jogo. Here is what we know about this cursed technique:
With this technique, Sukuna can produce and manipulate flames for long-range attacks. He uses a few hand signs to generate fire and uses a bow and arrow formation to shoot it at his opponent.
Sukuna’s cursed technique with fire that rivals, if not surpasses, Jogo’s innate technique.
Sukuna’s “respect” for his strong opponent, Jogo, came through as a switch in technique. Sukuna was barely fighting Jogo until the latter summoned a meteorite.
The rest is history, but it seems that Sukuna is truly capable of drawing out the most powerful attacks from his opponents.
The question here is how did Sukuna even summon flames? Not only that, he looked pretty proficient for someone using an out-of-the-ordinary cursed technique.
Speculations about Sukuna’s redacted cursed technique
Put your thinking caps on; it is time to discuss some theories. Warning: these might be PRETTY tinfoil because all of these come from fandom speculations.
Even if they might not be true or flawed, they for sure are interesting. ALRIGHT, I won’t blabber anymore and begin with it!
Cannibalism, but with a twist
We heard cursed spirits caused disappearances of humans and killed them, but a curse who eats them? Sukuna is an exception for sure.
This theory from Reddit user Astral_M suggests that everyone has a core of cursed energy and techniques in their bodies.
It is a fact that Sukuna is into cannibalism. Remember what Sukuna said when he took over Itadori’s body initially? He wanted to devour humans.
In fact, even the official fanbook (unofficial translation) says that Sukuna kept Uraume next to him because they know how to cook humans properly.
The theory hypothesizes that Sukuna began eating humans to gather their cursed techniques. He sort of collected a bunch of cursed technique cores through his meals and knows how to manipulate them.
It would explain how Sukuna’s innate technique might be Dismantle and Cleave but still can use other techniques like the flames.
Additionally, cannibalism is frowned upon by religions and cultures across the world. So, when it comes to a religion like Buddhism that is especially based on abstinence, it is no short of a taboo.
The user says since Sukuna chanced upon this possibility and practiced it, he turned into a cursed spirit.
Wait…Sukuna’s tattoos aren’t just to look cool?
Another theory by Reddit user KaitoDairenji combined with that by user drakeanddrive has a different outlook altogether. Both the users have a bit of different take, but have one thing in common: Sukuna’s markings are not there just for show.
The first theory argues that Sukuna can ‘store’ cursed techniques/tools in his markings.
For example, the marking on his forehead is absent on the cover of chapter 117, but Sukuna is holding a spear and a dagger. But when he is seen normally, we can see the marking that pretty closely represents these weapons.
Essentially, every box on Sukuna’s body is a cursed technique, while the other markings are cursed tools.
The user also points out the similarity between the powers of Sukuna and the protagonist of Akutami’s previous work, No. 9. No. 9’s protagonist can store abilities using boxes as well.
Moreover, he and Sukuna both have invisible attacks!
However, the second theory says that rather than storing, Sukuna can steal cursed techniques and tools. In essence, Sukuna stores the cursed techniques and/or tools as parts of his body/soul itself.
This logic further explains how Sukuna could use a bow and arrow against Jogo without having it physically.
The theory also says that Sukuna’s additional body parts like the extra hands, faces, and even paws (?) represent cursed techniques.
Sukuna simply ‘unlocks’ his markings against opponents to use a specific tool or technique.
A game of words: Demonic Feretory
The next theory is related to Sukuna’s domain expansion. The official English translation refers to the domain as Malevolent Shrine.
But the kanji for its name is 伏魔御厨子 (pronounced as Fukuma Mizushi) and slightly differs in the literal meaning. When we transliterate the name, we get Demonic Feretory.
What an ominous name, right? But wait, the meaning of feretory is completely out of place for the domain of Sukuna, of all people. In simple words, a feretory is a place or container to hold the relics of saints.
Gakuganji is probably spitting blood at the mention of saints and Sukuna in the same place.
Coming back, does Sukuna having a feretory mean he can store his relics in it? And when you think of someone as obsessed with dominance as Sukuna, you know these relics could only be cursed techniques.
This theory also presents that Sukuna’s resistance to poison might also be one technique.
Now imagine the number of techniques Sukuna has stored! Maybe all those skulls in Malevolent Shrine represent cursed techniques too?
Whew! That was some mind-racking stuff, wasn’t it? That completes everything we have on Sukuna’s cursed techniques. But wait, this article is not over yet.
Sukuna’s other abilities
With merely a couple of brilliant techniques and domain expansion, it is unlikely that a curse can be so powerful to scare everyone.
There is definitely much more to Sukuna than what we just talked about. Yep, there is (I mean, that is why this section exists in the first place): Sukuna’s other abilities.
These abilities pack a punch to Sukuna’s cursed techniques, maxing out his battle stats.
Reverse Cursed Technique and regeneration
All cursed spirits have a common power of regeneration. They can use cursed energy to heal their body and regenerate body parts.
Thus, it is no wonder that Sukuna being a curse, can also use regeneration to heal himself. Or so he must when he was living as a full-fledged curse.
We know from the story that cursed energy cannot heal humans, so how could Sukuna heal his (or his host’s) body right now?
The answer is simple: Sukuna can use the Reverse Cursed Technique as well. Look no further than the Cursed Womb arc, where Sukuna ‘accidentally’ fixed both the hands for Itadori while fighting the cursed womb.
This overall power of healing must also have seeped into Itadori’s body, too, other than just his physical strength. Why do I say this?
Thank you, Choso onii-chan, who noted and told us that Itadori was pretty up and about for someone who got hit by Black Flash. However, there are also speculations that this might Itadori’s innate strength, as even after Sukuna left his body, his physical strength and resilience have not diminished.
King of poisons
Next, other than just being the King of the Curses, Sukuna is also the King of poisons. This title basically tells us that Sukuna is immune to poisons and other toxic substances.
In effect, this immunity also applied to Itadori because of host privileges, I suppose? We saw this ability of Sukuna in the Young Fish & Reverse Punishment arc.
When Junpei attacked Itadori with his poisonous shikigami, Moon Dregs, it didn’t affect the latter at all. Itadori’s resistance to poison was completely thanks to Sukuna. We are assuming it will be the same for Megumi now too!
This incident was also proof that Gojo meant it when he said Sukuna’s cursed techniques (and abilities) would imbue themselves to it.
A question we can ask here is if Sukuna can produce poison(s) too. It would be a pretty deadly attack if he could, and as we saw from the theories, nothing is out of bounds right now!
Incarnation
We already know that Sukuna’s fingers have his soul sealed into them. But we still don’t know where his body is or if it exists at all.
However, these fingers have caused enough chaos in the jujutsu world for everyone to be vigilant. The biggest fear that lies behind this vigilance is simple: Sukuna can come back from his half-dead state.
In fact, Gakuganji & other conservatives want Itadori to die because of the same reason. There is no telling when Sukuna could take over Itadori and fully reincarnate.
Even a little time in Shibuya was enough to show what would happen if Sukuna comes back alive.
Others
Besides the one we already discussed, Sukuna also boasts a bunch of secondary abilities. Since he has been alive since the Heian era, his battle knowledge and experience are out of the roof.
With his reflexes, he can gauge the slightest of movements in his opponents and even predict their attacks. If Sukuna does not, in the slightest chance, evade an attack, he manages to stay perfectly fine with his high resilience too.
We cannot deny Sukuna’s thorough knowledge of jujutsu because he was a shaman earlier himself. He can figure out the cursed techniques of his opponents in a few bouts.
Not only that, but we also saw that he is extremely witty and knows information about jujutsu other curses like Jogo don’t. We can even say that he is close to a maestro on jujutsu itself.
Further, as a cursed spirit, he also has an immense amount of cursed energy that is an unbeatable asset in a battle of jujutsu. Sukuna’s cursed techniques are fueled by both that and his excellence at hand-to-hand combat.
He pretty easily toyed with Megumi and Jogo without even using his cursed techniques. Moreover, he is a juggernaut when it comes to strength, raw power, and cutting speed.
Another thing to note here is the Binding Vows Sukuna has. He used to one with Itadori to take over Megumi’s body!
By not keeping his domain within closed boundaries, he forms a binding vow to shoot up the effectiveness of his attacks. There could be more of these, too; you can never tell with Sukuna!
Ability to use vessel’s cursed technique:
When Sukuna was in Itadori’s body, we mostly saw him use his own innate techniques, because well, Itadori did not have a cursed technique of his own.
Now that Sukuna has taken over Megumi, we have seen him use the latter’s Ten Shadows Cursed technique, along with his own Slash and Cleave which makes him even more formidable.
The Nue that Sukuna summoned already looked quite nasty and powerful, and I am already giddy thinking what will happen when he summons Mahoraga.
That’s not all, imagine Sukuna being able to use both Megumi’s domain expansion (Chimera Shadow Garden) and his own Malevolent Shrine together. All hell would break loose!!
But then, the whole point here is to say that Sukuna is able to use the cursed technique of his vessel, just like Kenjaku is able to use Geto’s Cursed Spirit Manipulation!
TL;DR
To encompass EVERYTHING, here are the pointers for you (Please read the article, onegaine?):
- Sukuna’s cursed techniques are Dismantle and Cleave. The former is a standard slash technique, while the other can be adjusted according to toughness and strength of the opponent.
- Open ▯ or the redacted technique of Sukuna allowed him to summon flames and beat Jogo. He also used it against Mahoraga to finish it off.
- There are several theories of what this redacted technique is:
- Sukuna absorbed cores of cursed techniques when he ate humans, which is why he collected all of their cursed techniques.
- The markings on Sukuna’s body can store or steal cursed techniques and/or tools. One theory says he can infuse these into his body and soul to use without summoning the physical weapons. On the other hand, the other theory says he can simply store them like the protagonist from Akutami’s previous work.
- The transliteration of Sukuna’s domain is called Demonic Feretory. A feretory refers to a place or container to hold relics. Thus, Sukuna can store his relics, aka cursed techinques, in his domain.
- Other than his cursed techniques, he also has several other supplementary abilities. In short, he has reverse cursed technique, immunity to all poisons, and a power to reincarnate. His skills are also out of bounds with immense knowledge, battle sense, resilience, power, speed, and binding vows.
That was it, folks! If you want to read up some quotes from Sukuna, here you go. What did you think of Sukuna’s cursed techniques and powers? And what role do you think Sukuna will play in the Culling Game?
As the story progresses, we will update this article. Remember to check it later! Until then, let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
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