The second season of Jujutsu Kaisen concluded with outstanding episodes, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the arrival of season 3. Many are especially looking forward to seeing Kinji Hakari in action due to his charismatic personality and entertaining fighting style.
Despite his exceptional abilities, Hakari, a highly skilled Jujutsu sorcerer, is not considered a Special Grade like Yuki Tsukumo, Suguru Geto, and Yuta Okkotsu. As the Jujutsu Kaisen manga progresses, attaining Special Grade status has become almost essential. This has led many fans to question why Hakari has not yet achieved this prestigious rank.
This article will list the reasons and also highlight the character's future in the series.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series.
Explaining why Hakari isn't a Special Grade sorcerer in Jujutsu Kaisen
Several characters in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga have experienced significant power-ups, including Kinji Hakari, a highly skilled sorcerer. His immense abilities were showcased during his memorable battle with Hajime Kashimo in the Culling Games, as well as in his recent encounter with Uraume, where the latter acknowledged that Hakari's Reverse Cursed Technique heals faster than Sukuna and Satoru Gojo's.
Despite his impressive skills, Hakari's status as a Special Grade remains unconfirmed, as he does not possess the same level of power as the series' officially recognized Special Grade sorcerers. It is difficult to argue that Hakari could defeat the four main confirmed Special Grades, such as Yuki Tsukumo, Suguru Geto, Satoru Gojo, or Yuta Okkotsu.
Hakari's future in the series
It can also be argued that Hakari's impulsive behavior and impatience with personal growth may have contributed to his exclusion from this rank. Despite already possessing a Domain Expansion, a rare ability in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, Hakari's inadequacy in terms of sheer strength and patience as a sorcerer prevents him from being recognized as a Special Grade.
Hakari and Yuta (Image via Shueisha and MAPPA).
Despite the upcoming release of Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 247 on January 7th, spoilers have already begun circulating. According to the leaked information, the chapter concludes with a cliffhanger as Yuji Itadori prepares to plunge Higuruma's Executioner's Sword into Ryomen Sukuna.
Yuji, Yuta, and Hakari have been handpicked by Gojo as his students and are considered some of the most talented he has ever taught. They are seen as agents of change in the Jujutsu society, with Hakari standing out as an exceptionally individualistic and self-confident example. This is evident in his ongoing battle with Uraume, where Hakari's unique Cursed Technique based on gambling and his impressive regenerative abilities make him a strong contender to defeat Uraume. As the story unfolds, it remains to be seen if Hakari will emerge as the victor. In the face of adversity and potential losses, Itadori's only remaining pillars of support are Hakari and Yuta, especially if the deaths of Higuruma and Choso are confirmed.
Final thoughts
The reason Hakari isn't a Special Grade sorcerer is unspecified in the Jujutsu Kaisen series, but it may be attributed to his careless conduct and the fact that his abilities simply don't measure up to those of the other Special Grades.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I find the character of Hakari to be both intriguing and frustrating. On the one hand, his charismatic personality and entertaining fighting style make him a joy to watch. His unique Cursed Technique based on gambling adds an element of unpredictability to his battles, and his impressive regenerative abilities make him a formidable opponent. On the other hand, I can't help but feel that he falls short of the Special Grade ranking that he so desperately craves. While he is undoubtedly powerful, he lacks the sheer strength and patience of the other Special Grades, and his impulsive behavior and impatience with personal growth may be holding him back.
Despite these shortcomings, I believe that Hakari has the potential to become a Special Grade sorcerer in the future. If he can learn to control his impulsive nature and focus on his personal growth, he could very well reach the same level as Yuki Tsukumo, Suguru Geto, and Yuta Okkotsu. I look forward to seeing how his character develops in the upcoming season of Jujutsu Kaisen and whether he will finally achieve his goal of becoming a Special Grade sorcerer.