Jujutsu Kaisen: Was Sukuna An Underwhelming Final Villain?

Jujutsu Kaisen: Was Sukuna An Underwhelming Final Villain?

Key Takeaways

  • Sukuna’s strength lived up to the hype, defeating even Gojo in an epic battle.
  • Sukuna’s thematic relevance as a final villain clashed with Gojo and Yuji’s ideals.
  • Sukuna’s loneliness and power made him a powerful and compelling antagonist.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast who’s seen more battles than I care to remember, let me tell you, Sukuna was nothing short of a beast! I’ve watched countless shows where they build up a villain as the strongest, but it rarely lives up to the hype. But Gege, oh boy, did he deliver!


In terms of contemporary anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen stands out as one of the largest and most acclaimed, boasting numerous intricate elements that have contributed to its immense popularity. A significant factor contributing to this adoration is the captivating cast of characters. The creator, Gege Akutami, has fashioned a collection of endearing, potent, and complex characters, a trait evident not only in the heroes but also in the villains!

Right from the debut of the series, Sukuna was established as the deadliest curse in existence and the strongest sorcerer ever. Despite having a vast fanbase who adore him, there are some who feel he fell short as the final antagonist for several reasons. In this article, we’ll explore whether Sukuna could be considered an unsatisfying villain in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.

In Terms Of Strength

Did Sukuna’s legendary power live up to the hype?

Jujutsu Kaisen: Was Sukuna An Underwhelming Final Villain?
First AppearanceJujutsu Kaisen, Chapter 1, “Ryomen Sukuna”
Debut DateMarch 5, 2018

From the outset of the series, Sukuna was virtually defined by his immense strength and power. Renowned as the most powerful sorcerer ever, he struck terror into every corner of the Jujutsu realm. His fingers, numbering 20, were designated Special Grade Cursed Artifacts, kept under guard to prevent his revival. They held such potency that even the mighty Satoru Gojo couldn’t destroy them.

In Chapter 223 of the manga, Gojo pointed out that only he could rival Sukuna in strength, a claim that became apparent as the greatest sorcerer of all time engaged in battle with the strongest sorcerer of the present day. Readers had already seen glimpses of Gojo’s immense power throughout the series, making them eager to witness the epic showdown between these two formidable characters.

This clash exceeded all predictions, showcasing the peak of jujutsu magic in both offensive and defensive aspects, a level others struggled to match. Gojo demonstrated just how far he could stretch his cursed technique and combat prowess, while Sukuna displayed his expertise in jujutsu and unrivaled understanding of cursed energy, ultimately tipping the scales in the fight.

Sukuna managed to defeat Gojo in their long-awaited battle, proving that while it was a close fight, he was indeed the strongest character in all of Jujutsu Kaisen. However, his trials would not end there. As soon as the fight ended, Kashimo jumped into the fray to satisfy his dream of fighting the strongest sorcerer ever, which ended swiftly but marked the entry of the rest of Jujutsu High as they all worked together to take down the King of Curses.

No matter what era it is, you Jujutsu sorcerers are a pain.

Despite nearly dying and significantly losing his powers in a battle against Gojo, Sukuna managed to triumph over almost every opponent who confronted him afterward. He was like an unstoppable force, single-handedly vanquishing 11 powerful sorcerers one by one. However, he eventually fell to Yuji due to underestimating his foe and ultimately succumbing to his injuries.

For a character who has always been built up as the strongest and whose sheer power is the defining aspect of their character, Sukuna exceeded all hype and expectations! Gege showed that he was worshiped by people and feared as destruction incarnate for a reason; he was the most powerful person to ever walk on the face of the Earth and even a sorcerer of the caliber of Gojo couldn’t defeat him. His strength was teased in the initial parts of the series, but the Shinjuku Showdown arc cemented Sukuna as the strongest sorcerer in history.

As A Final Villain

Did Sukuna have thematic relevance?

Jujutsu Kaisen: Was Sukuna An Underwhelming Final Villain?

Many people who think Sukuna is a poor final villain often argue that he had no significant connection to the story beyond being powerful. However, this isn’t accurate! Besides serving as the epitome of strength that justified Gojo’s role as the top sorcerer of the modern era, Sukuna also embodied an idea that contrasted with both Gojo and Yuji.

Sukuna was the epitome of self-reliance, often portrayed as the strongest, and therefore, he lived a solitary life. His connections were limited, consisting mainly of Kenjaku, whom he collaborated with for mutual interests, and Uraume, who remained due to their exceptional culinary skills. Interestingly, Sukuna found comfort in his isolation, preferring to depend on himself alone.

A system that isn’t based purely on strength is boring if you ask me.

This action went against everything Gojo and Yuji stand for. Gojo, who is the only other being close to Sukuna’s strength, despised the solitude that his power brought him. Consequently, he nurtured the strength of the younger generation to foster a sense of unity among them all. Similarly, Yuji shares this belief and has always been selfless enough to willingly give up his life for the sake of others.

In essence, Sukuna’s fights against Gojo symbolized a collision of beliefs, with the prevailing perspective being the stronger one. Although Sukuna was initially defeated by Gojo individually, it was only through the collective strength of Jujutsu High that Yuji managed to vanquish him permanently, implying that Gojo’s viewpoint was indeed valid. Interestingly, Yuji, who once harbored Sukuna within himself, ultimately triumphed over Sukuna by expelling him from another person’s body, thus concluding Sukuna’s narrative in a fitting manner, further solidifying his status as one of the most formidable antagonists in anime.

Jujutsu Kaisen can be streamed on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

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2024-09-26 19:33