Exploring Yuji’s Potential to Become the Next Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen

This piece includes spoilers from the Shinjuku Showdown Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen.

Main Insights

In the Shinjuku showdown, Yuji Itadori achieved tremendous power-ups, including the adept use of the Simple Domain technique.
While Yuji managed to overcome Sukuna, he has yet to attain Sukuna’s strength, though with further training, he has the potential to rival him.
As Yuji continues to evolve, his enhancement of cursed energy control and proficiency in various techniques is expected to make him a fierce competitor against Sukuna.

As the central character of Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji Itadori is undeniably a remarkably powerful figure. Although he started off relatively weak for most of the series, the Shinjuku Showdown arc marked a turning point, granting him numerous power-ups that significantly elevated his combat capabilities.

In fact, one could argue that the absence of both Sukuna and Gojo places Yuji as potentially the strongest sorcerer alive. However, it is clear to fans that Yuji is still a work in progress. There is much for him to learn and many techniques to master if he aspires to reach the legendary status of his mentor. Nonetheless, strong evidence suggests that Yuji is on a path to grow immensely stronger, potentially becoming the next Sukuna in the JJK universe.

Unprecedented Growth of Yuji in the Shinjuku Showdown

Yuji threatening sukuna jujutsu kaisen jjk 268

Yuji Engaged in Rigorous Training Prior to the Showdown
Yuji Unleashed His Hidden Powers

Yuji experienced immense growth during the Shinjuku Showdown Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen. His development unfolded in two significant phases. The first occurred during the intense training he undertook leading up to the Shinjuku showdown. Through the mastery of the body swap technique and direct training from his brother, Choso, Yuji honed numerous martial skills. In particular, he learned vital abilities from Kusakabe, including barrier techniques, with the most notable being the Simple Domain. This newfound ability not only shielded Yuji from Sukuna’s domain expansion but also laid the groundwork for Yuji to craft his own domain expansion in the future. Furthermore, after consuming the Death Painting numbers 4 through 9, Yuji gained access to Blood Manipulation, although he has yet to fully command it.

“Did this brat just learn Reverse Cursed Technique?” – Sukuna

Despite not having complete control yet, Yuji’s proficiency with Blood Manipulation has certainly enhanced his healing capabilities, boosting his overall strength. He has also begun using techniques like Convergence and Supernova, though these require assistance from Choso to be utilized effectively.

Additionally, Yuji sought out training with Yuta Okkotsu to elevate his overall strength and cursed energy management. Although his training with Gojo Satoru occurred, the specific knowledge gained from this period remains elusive.

Apart from his pre-showdown training, it’s evident that Yuji gained substantial power-ups throughout the arc itself. He showcased the skills he had acquired during the timeskip, demonstrating remarkable efficiency against Sukuna. During their confrontation, Yuji’s dormant potential arose, allowing him to tap into the Shrine cursed technique. This lethal ability permits its user to slice through adversaries, and Yuji’s manifestation of it differed from Sukuna’s yet maintained potent effectiveness.

Yuji accessed the formidable strength of domain expansion, culminating in his ultimate clash against Sukuna, where he triumphed within his own domain, liberating Megumi from Sukuna’s grasp, effectively banishing him permanently.

How Yuji Can Emerge as the Next Sukuna

Yuji Itadori Possesses Comparable Potential to Sukuna

Yuji Itadori exhibited extraordinary strength during the Shinjuku showdown. It is indisputable that he has reached the tier of a special grade sorcerer. With an impressive array of abilities, his instinctual prowess in battle surpasses a majority of characters showcased in the series.

“This must mean Yuji Itadori has potential equal to Sukuna!” – Uraume

After all, he was the sorcerer who triumphed over Sukuna. However, fans should temper their expectations. It’s crucial to acknowledge that Yuji could not have accomplished this feat single-handedly. Had it not been for the significant weakening of Sukuna by Gojo during their battle, the outcome could have been drastically different, and many sorcerers would have faced dire consequences. Yuji landed pivotal hits thanks to the teamwork and distractions created by his fellow sorcerers. Indeed, he faced perilous moments throughout the Shinjuku showdown, and a fully powered Sukuna would have posed an insurmountable challenge for him. While Yuji is undeniably strong, he currently cannot match Sukuna’s level of power.

That said, the potential for Yuji to match Sukuna’s strength remains. As the connection between them deepened, Uraume highlighted Yuji’s capability to reach Sukuna’s level, stemming from the fact that Yuji is, in essence, Sukuna’s twin’s son, granting him a unique relationship with Sukuna.

sukuna and Yuji in domain jujutsu Kaisen jjk 266

The difference lies in the fact that Sukuna consumed his twin and was subsequently reborn as Jin Itadori. This unusual bond extends deeply, and with Sukuna dwelling within Yuji, he has been afforded access to the elder’s remarkable abilities and techniques, positioning Yuji as one of the strongest sorcerers ever. With all the necessary tools at his disposal, it boils down to Yuji’s commitment to self-improvement to ascend to Sukuna’s height.

Yuji’s Power as a Mature Sorcerer

Yuji Itadori Has the Potential to Achieve Unprecedented Power in JJK

Currently, Yuji is still navigating high school. However, as he graduates in the coming years, he is poised to transform into an extraordinarily powerful sorcerer. By the time he reaches adulthood, Yuji’s abilities will have escalated to an entirely new realm. He is expected to enhance his physical strength even further while improving his cursed energy management. Fans can anticipate that Yuji will achieve mastery over the Reverse Cursed Technique and significantly elevate his proficiency with it. Moreover, by adulthood, Yuji will likely refine his Blood Manipulation skills, thereby enabling him to utilize Convergence and any derivatives naturally. His command over Shrine is also expected to reach a level that could rival Sukuna’s, particularly due to the muscle memory acquired from Sukuna residing within him.

With dedication to mastering these techniques, there is a strong argument for Yuji being on par with Sukuna. Nonetheless, in a direct 1v1 confrontation, he may still be seen as an underdog. However, it’s clear that Yuji possesses the potential to be the next Sukuna in terms of power alone.

The most recent chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen, JJK 271, was published on September 29, 2024. Fans can access the series on the Manga Plus and Shonen Jump apps.

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