Highlights
- The power system in Jujutsu Kaisen revolves around cursed energy, which is present in most humans and forms the basis of abilities for both sorcerers and cursed beings.
- Cursed energy is represented by different colors, with each color symbolizing different qualities or emotions. These color associations add depth to the characters and their abilities.
- The power system in Jujutsu Kaisen is complex and filled with exceptions and undefined rules, making it difficult for fans to establish a clear hierarchy of power. Individual variability and exceptional cases further contribute to the confusion surrounding power scaling.
Over the past few years, Jujutsu Kaisen has taken the anime and manga world by storm, captivating fans with its intense battles, complex characters, and intricate world-building. However, a common sentiment among the fan base is the confusion surrounding the power scaling within the series.
Jujutsu Kaisen introduces a unique system of cursed energy, domains, and sorcery that adds depth to the battles between Jujutsu sorcerers and cursed beings. Still, many fans find themselves scratching their heads, trying to decipher the intricacies of the power scaling system. So, why is the power scaling in JJK so confusing to fans?
Everything is Centered on Cursed Energy
Cursed Energy serves as the foundation of Jujutsu Kaisen’s power system and acts as the driving force behind the abilities of both Jujutsu sorcerers and cursed beings. Negative emotions, such as grief and anger, form the basis of cursed energy. These emotions are present to some extent in most humans, and as a result, the majority of human beings possess cursed energy. If this amount surpasses a certain threshold, it grants the person the ability to perceive cursed spirits. These individuals are known as jujutsu sorcerers, and they are exceptionally rare among the human population.
Cursed energy leaks from the human body, accumulates, and ferments over time until a cursed spirit manifests. This phenomenon is exclusive to non-sorcerers, as sorcerers undergo training to control and channel their cursed energy into jujutsu. Cursed energy serves as the primary power source for both sorcerers and cursed spirits. It is present in cursed tools, cursed objects, and cursed corpses. Typically, it is used to fuel cursed techniques, reinforce the body, or activate talismans. However, cursed energy has various applications beyond these functions. The properties of cursed energy vary from person to person, and its connection to the human brain remains shrouded in mystery.
The Colors of Cursed Energy Tend to Mean Something
In the anime, cursed energy is primarily portrayed as blue for most Jujutsu sorcerers. However, during moments of uncontrolled rage, as witnessed in numerous instances with Itadori, cursed energy takes on a red hue. Pink is commonly associated with a user possessing raw or unrefined curse energy, like Yuta. Mahito’s cursed energy is often depicted in purple, symbolizing an evil or menacing energy. Notably, black cursed energy appears to be the most potent, exemplified by Sukuna. However, exceptions to these color associations exist, as different techniques can manifest in various colors, as seen in many instances with Gojo Satoru.
Cursed Techniques Need to Be Activated in Specific Ways
Cursed techniques in Jujutsu Kaisen are activated by infusing them with cursed energy through the Lapse or Reversal processes. The activation process involves intricately processing cursed energy through a mathematical formula within the user. The Lapse is the basic or default state of activation, where the caster circulates cursed energy forward to channel it into their ability. On the other hand, Reversal produces positive energy by multiplying negative energy, allowing for the potential healing of physical injuries.
However, this advanced ability requires highly sophisticated manipulation of cursed energy, making it a rare skill. Cursed techniques often involve hand signs, empowered words, or gestures for activation, and a sorcerer’s skill is measured by their efficiency in minimizing these components. Additionally, intentional incantations or rituals can enhance the effectiveness of a cursed technique.
Some Techniques Sorcerers are Born With…
Innate Techniques are unique abilities ingrained in the user’s right prefrontal cortex, manifesting around the age of five or six. These abilities, comprising 80% of a sorcerer’s skill set, are challenging to mimic and are typically possessed as a single technique by individuals, with rare exceptions like Gojo. Inherited Techniques, passed down within the same bloodline, especially carry prestige and authority in families like the Big Three Families – the Zenin Clan, the Gojo Clan, and the Kamo Clan. While sorcerers from non-prominent clans can inherit innate techniques, there is a risk of other groups learning the ability’s workings and shortcomings.
Non-inherited techniques, manifesting naturally irrespective of heritage, are exemplified by sorcerers like Suguru Geto. Extension Techniques, derived from innate abilities, can be creatively expanded, as seen with Nanami Kento’s Ratio Technique evolving into Collapse. Maximum Techniques, representing the pinnacle of derived innate abilities, include examples like Geto’s Maximum: Uzumaki.
…But, Anyone Can Do Non-Innate Techniques 
Non-Innate Techniques in Jujutsu Kaisen are skills that anyone with enough cursed energy can learn through sufficient training. These skills, including barrier techniques and shikigami jutsu, are attainable for individuals with the required cursed energy and training. The varying aptitude among practitioners for skills like barrier techniques adds complexity to the power system, showcasing intricacies even for talented sorcerers. Shikigami Jutsu involves summoning shikigami, which are supernatural creatures.
While simple shikigami can be summoned by any capable sorcerer, specific innate techniques, such as Fushiguro’s Ten Shadows Technique. Domains, considered non-innate techniques, are special spaces created by sorcerers to enhance their cursed techniques and abilities. Within a domain, a sorcerer gains a significant advantage, making it a crucial factor in battles.
A Complex System and Exceptions to Rules Leave a Lot of Fans Confused
The complexity of the power system in Jujutsu Kaisen contributes to fans finding it challenging to grasp. In contrast to simpler power scaling systems like My Hero Academia’s Quirks, JJK introduces a multitude of intricate concepts and their interactions, creating a more overwhelming experience. The diverse and unique abilities possessed by JJK characters further complicate establishing a clear hierarchy of power. The extensive range of cursed techniques and their varied applications adds another layer of complexity. Cursed energy, represented by different colors that can change based on emotions and situations, adds to the confusion regarding the nature and strength of abilities.
The lack of explicit definitions for certain aspects, such as domains, leaves fans uncertain about how these elements affect the overall power scale. The influence of emotions, techniques, and innate talent on the power of cursed techniques introduces individual variability, making it challenging to predict battle outcomes and establish consistent power levels. Characters like Satoru Gojo, who possess abilities that defy conventional expectations, create exceptions to the established rules, disrupting fans’ attempts to formulate a cohesive understanding of the power system. In summary, the combination of a complex power system, diverse abilities, color-coded representations, undefined rules, individual variability, and exceptional cases collectively contributes to the confusion surrounding the power scaling in JJK.
Jujutsu Kaisen is available for streaming on Prime Video.
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