Jujutsu Kaisen: Is Ryomen Sukuna a well-written villain?

Ryomen Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen is the most enigmatic and terrifying villain of the series. He is known to be the King of Curses and has become one of the central figures in the story. And it is all because of his immense power, but also because of his unpredictable nature, long-term motives, and his chilling dynamic with protagonist Yuji Itadori.

While there are many shonen antagonists who are equally terrifying, Sukuna stands out due to his ancient origins and heights of arrogance. His character is undoubtedly a well-written villain in Jujutsu Kaisen. It is because he was never meant to be liked by anyone. Although the fanbase is attracted to his looks, no one has empathized with his actions.

In this narrative, he’s an avatar of chaos, ego, and godlike cruelty, crafted to break the spirits of heroes and force the narrative into darker, riskier territory.

Notably, Sukuna had kept viewers constantly worried. All because he possessed Itadori Yuji’s body and could take over at any moment. This unpredictable nature of his kept everyone constantly on their toes. His underlying presence created a persistent sense of dread.

From the very first time he made an appearance, Sukuna tore apart curses like paper, and later on, he humiliated special-grade curses like Jogo and fought against sorcerers like Gojo with frightening confidence. This power is one aspect of what makes him special; what truly sets him apart is how that power is used and perceived.

One of the most chilling aspects of his character in Jujutsu Kaisen is how he formed a parasitic relationship with Yuji. Unlike other stories where the evil entity is gradually humanized or where the protagonist and the villain develop mutual understanding (Naruto and Kurama, for instance), Jujutsu Kaisen keeps Sukuna alien and irredeemable.

Another reason as to why he is a well-written character is his lack of motivation. Usually series show villains as either sympathetic or logical. Sukuna is always chaotically neutral. Initially in the story he was dormant and preferred to take the backseat as he witnessed events through Yuji.

But as the story progressed, his role shifted to become the main antagonist. His body-hopping transition to Megumi Fushiguro is a brilliant narrative twist, and just like that, Sukuna was not just Itadori Yuji’s problem. He was a major issue for everyone.

While his character has many great points, it is not devoid of criticism. Some argue that he lacks emotional depth. Compared to layered villains like Askeladd (Vinland Saga) or Griffith (Berserk), Sukuna doesn’t have a tragic backstory or a fleshed-out ideology. He is, by all accounts, a force of nature rather than a man.

Although overall, he is a great character who knows what he wants and will do anything to achieve his goals. This absolute clarity forces others to define themselves against him. Thus, Sukuna isn't just a character; he's a standard. And in a story filled with morally gray questions, that clarity is unnerving.

The Gojo vs. Sukuna fight: A landmark event in Jujutsu Kaisen

For anime-only watchers, this fight is going to be one of the most anticipated battles to witness. These two overpowered forces are facing each other, and the only way this fight will be over is when one party is killed. This battle is not just a spectacle of power but also a philosophical confrontation.

Gojo, the symbol of modern sorcery and human potential, stands against Sukuna, a relic of dark, ancient magic and divine arrogance. And when Gojo was defeated and ultimately died marked a shift in the story as Sukuna proved to everyone that he is not just a hyped character. He is a threat that should be feared by everyone and is the final boss in Jujutsu Kaisen.

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In conclusion, Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen is a well-written character who left everyone in their universe terrified of him. While his backstory might not have satisfied the fans who wanted to explore his psychological depth, his power levels are unmatched. He is the embodiment of fear of death, regret, and the meaning of strength. Finally, his character has carved out a legacy as one of the most powerful and scary villains of all time.

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