Ryomen Sukuna
The King of Curses, a walking disaster from the Heian Era.
Ryomen Sukuna is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists of the manga and anime series Jujutsu Kaisen created by Gege Akutami. A powerful curse user from the Heian Era, he was regarded as the strongest jujutsu sorcerer of his time and is known as the King of Curses. His immense cursed energy and malevolent nature make him a feared figure throughout the series.
Quick Facts
- Alias
- The King of All Curses
- The Disgraced One
- The Strongest Sorcerer in History
- The Fallen
- Series
- Jujutsu Kaisen
- First
- Jujutsu Kaisen #1, "Ryomen Sukuna" (2018)
- Last
- "Jujutsu Kaisen" #30, "From Now On" (2024)
- Creator
- Gege Akutami
- Voice
- Japanese:
- Junichi Suwabe
- English:
- Ray Chase
- Species
- Human (formerly); Reincarnated cursed object (Special-grade)
- Gender
- Male
Facts from the source article.
Concept and creation
Akutami described Sukuna as less of a sorcerer and more of a walking disaster, crafting him as a cruel, narcissistic, depraved, and supremely arrogant figure. The character draws inspiration from the mythological figure Ryōmen-sukuna, recorded in the classical book Nihon Shoki, who had two faces, four arms, and twenty digits, and was considered a malicious demon. Historically, Sukuna was an enemy of the Yamato family but was also worshipped as a deity by some; his demonic association grew after the Imperial House of Japan declared him a vicious force of nature. The name Ryomen means two-faced, applying both literally and figuratively to the character. Sukuna never had a wife or family as a human, and he was feared less than Satoru Gojo due to the viciousness of the world of Curses during his lifetime. Akutami, inspired by Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, aimed to create a different dynamic from Yuta Okkotsu and Rika, having the protagonist Yuji be constantly mocked and victimized by Sukuna. Gege stated that Sukuna will kill anybody in an instant, has no morals, and takes pleasure in making things tough for Yuji Itadori.
Appearances
Over a thousand years ago, during the Heian era, Sukuna was the most powerful curse user, served by an underling named Uraume. At the story's start, his power is sealed in twenty mummified fingers scattered worldwide. Megumi Fushiguro traces one finger to Sugisawa High School, where Yuji Itadori eats it during an attack by cursed spirits, becoming a jujutsu sorcerer with Sukuna regaining consciousness within him. Though Yuji retains control, he is targeted for execution due to Sukuna's danger, protected only by Satoru Gojo's patronage. On a mission to exorcise a Special Grade Cursed Spirit holding one of Sukuna's fingers, Yuji gives Sukuna control to defeat the assailant. Sukuna destroys the opponent but rips out Yuji's heart to stay in control, ingests a mummified finger, and attempts to kill Fushiguro, becoming interested in him. Yuji wrestles back control, dies, and meets Sukuna within his soul. Sukuna offers to revive Yuji on two conditions: that Yuji allows him control for a full minute when he chants Enchain, and that Yuji forgets the agreement. When Yuji refuses, Sukuna offers a fight to the death; if Yuji wins, he revives with no conditions; if he loses, he revives with Sukuna's conditions. Yuji agrees and is decapitated by Sukuna. Sukuna remains silent until an encounter with Mahito, where he mocks Yuji for losing a friend. In the Shibuya Incident, Yuji is gravely injured, and the cursed spirit Jogo force-feeds him many fingers. Sukuna, indifferent to Jogo but praising his strength, kills him after a destructive battle. He reunites with Uraume, states he has a plan for freedom, saves Megumi from Mahoraga while razing much of Shibuya, then surrenders control back to a traumatized Yuji.
Reception
Critics have highlighted Sukuna as a cruel, emotionless sadist whose early murder of Yuji helped the anime create a false sense of predictability. His first emergence inside Yuji’s body was called both disgusting and fantastic. The dynamic between Yuji and Sukuna has been praised for its creative and brilliant conflict, constantly subverting audience expectations. Ray Chase’s English voice performance was noted for making Sukuna come alive as an elated, insatiable animal that delights in feeding on fear and human flesh, filling other characters with dread. Comparisons have been drawn to Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach and his Hollow alter ego, particularly in how both young fighters gain supernatural powers and a dark counterpart while trying to protect others. Sukuna’s role as a temptation for Yuji has been analyzed as a reflection of inner conflict common in shonen heroes. In a March 2021 Viz Media poll, Sukuna ranked ninth in popularity. At the 5th Crunchyroll Anime Awards, he won Best Antagonist, and his battle with Satoru Gojo was nominated for Best Fight Scene.
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