Why Kenjaku's Intention for Mahito to Battle Yuji Before His Demise in Jujutsu Kaisen, Unraveled

The recent episode of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 has surprised anime-only fans with Kenjaku absorbing Mahito, retaining his Idle Transfiguration technique. With Kenjaku controlling Suguru Geto's body, he now has access to his Cursed Technique of absorbing Curses, explaining how he was able to perform his shocking act during the Shibuya Incident arc.

Many anime-only Jujutsu Kaisen fans wonder why Kenjaku didn't take Mahito's Idle Transfiguration sooner, given Mahito's proven ability to grow stronger and adapt to challenges over time. It may seem logical to attack him before he got stronger, but Kenjaku actually wanted the opposite.

Kenjaku needed Mahito's Idle Transfiguration technique in Jujutsu Kaisen

In the recent episode of Jujutsu Kaisen, a notable moment was when Kenjaku absorbed Mahito after the duo of Yuji Itadori and Aoi Todo defeated him. Many anime-only viewers questioned why Kenjaku didn't absorb Mahito when he was weaker and just born, considering Kenjaku needed Mahito's Idle Transfiguration technique for his plan.

It's evident that Mahito's Cursed Technique was incomplete, requiring refinement. This is precisely why Kenjaku invested time in allowing Mahito to develop and gain strength.

His Idle Transfiguration technique reached its full potential, allowing him to maximize its effectiveness. Once this milestone was reached, the next step was to weaken the Curse in order for it to be absorbed. This is where Yuji Itadori, who possesses the ability to naturally harm Mahito, becomes crucial. His intervention weakens the Curse sufficiently for Kenjaku to absorb it. This development demonstrates just how far ahead Kenjaku is in comparison to the other characters, including Mahito. Despite Mahito appearing to be in control, he ultimately becomes a pawn in someone else's grand scheme.

The brilliance of Kenjaku's character

Kenjaku holding Mahito in the latest Jujutsu Kaisen episode (Image via MAPPA).

Kenjaku, alongside Ryomen Sukuna, is undeniably the most popular antagonist in Jujutsu Kaisen, largely due to his exceptional skill in planning. The centuries-old sorcerer has been meticulously crafting his merger plan for a long time, overcoming numerous obstacles and variables along the way, making his manipulations incredibly engaging to witness.

Author Gege Akutami has openly acknowledged the massive influence of Tite Kubo's Bleach on his work, leading to comparisons between Aizen and Kenjaku. Both characters share a relaxed demeanor, mad-scientist tendencies, a connection to the protagonist's origins, and a high level of strength complemented by intelligence.

Final thoughts

In simple terms, Kenjaku desired for Mahito to enhance his Idle Transfiguration abilities before assimilating him in order to maximize the potential benefits. This decision sheds light on why he allowed Mahito to act freely and demonstrates the depth of Kenjaku's skills and intelligence as an antagonist in the Jujutsu Kaisen series.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I am intrigued by Kenjaku's decision to have Mahito battle Yuji before his demise. It's clear that Kenjaku is a master strategist who has been planning his merger for centuries, and this move is just one example of his cunning. By allowing Mahito to grow stronger and develop his Idle Transfiguration technique to its full potential, Kenjaku was able to maximize the benefits of absorbing him. This shows just how far ahead Kenjaku is thinking, and it makes him a truly formidable antagonist.

I also appreciate the parallels between Kenjaku and Aizen from Bleach. Both characters are intelligent, powerful, and have a relaxed demeanor. They also share a connection to the protagonist's origins, which adds another layer of complexity to their characters. Kenjaku is a fascinating villain, and I can't wait to see what he does next.