Jujutsu Kaisen's coolest character hasn't even been introduced in the anime, and Mappa better do him justice

For the anime-only audience of Jujutsu Kaisen, they might think that characters like Gojo Satoru or Sukuna are the peak of coolness and power in Gege Akutami's world. While they are not entirely wrong, there is one character that is yet to be introduced in anime and has already captured the attention of the manga fandom, and that character is none other than Kinji Hakari.

In the manga of Jujutsu Kaisen, Kinji Hakari was introduced during the Tokyo No. 2 Colony Arc, and his character was immediately noticed by fans. When Yuji and Megumi first approach him for help, Hakari is shown to be running an underground fight club for sorcerers.

That is why, initially, he seems like a punk. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that he’s both incredibly intelligent and powerful, someone who sees the broken system of Jujutsu society and wants to change it from the outside.

Also, his cursed technique is one of the most iconic and unique. His technique is based on pachinko, a popular Japanese slot machine game. Hakari’s Domain Expansion essentially lets him spin a metaphysical slot machine.

If he hits the jackpot (which he usually does), he gets an automatic reverse-cursed technique for 4 minutes and 11 seconds, effectively making him immortal during that time. Limbs regrow. Internal organs heal. You can even cut his head off, and he’ll just get back up.

In addition to his amazing technique that makes him almost invincible, what makes Kinji more than just another overpowered fighter is how he represents the new generation. It has been stated time and again that the Jujutsu world is a deeply hierarchical society full of rigid rules, corruption, and elitism, and it needs to be cleansed.

Like Gojo, Hakari is also actively finding alternatives to stand up to the corruption. He was suspended from Tokyo Jujutsu High because of his rule-breaking tendencies and hate towards the current authority. But instead of giving up, he created his own ecosystem by making his own fight club.

He has created a world where sorcerers can thrive without being pawns of the higher-ups, without living short, tragic lives as tools of the state. Also, that is not all about him that makes him iconic. Hakari plays a key role in the Culling Games.

In the story, he goes up against dangerous players like Kashimo Hajime, and what he accomplishes during these fights helps turn the tide of the arc. And finally, there’s his personality: Hakari is loud, funny, unpredictable, and full of chaotic charisma. It is a recipe for a character who cannot be hated by anyone.

Why Kinji Hakari could be Jujutsu Kaisen’s coolest character if MAPPA goes all out

As someone who has been reading the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, I can say without hesitation that Kinji Hakari is one of my favorite characters. And that’s coming from someone who was a die-hard Gojo fan for the longest time. But at the same time, I am worried about how MAPPA will handle him in the anime. For now, the Jujutsu Kaisen anime has been flawless and covered the story with the same vibe as the manga.

Although what I am worried about is the anime not being able to convey his coolness. Because when it comes to animating someone like Hakari, it is not just about flashy visuals. His power system is extremely unconventional, as it requires viewers to understand slot machine mechanics, reverse cursed energy, and timed invincibility while following a high-speed battle. If the animators don’t find a clever way to explain and visualize this, it’ll just confuse people.

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To conclude, in my opinion, Kinji Hakari represents everything that makes Jujutsu Kaisen exciting. If MAPPA Studio handles it right, his character's debut in the anime could be a landmark moment. Finally, I truly want anime-only fans to feel the same thrill I did when I saw his first fight. Because one thing is for sure, when Kinji Hakari finally arrives, Jujutsu Kaisen will never be the same again.

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