Why Sukuna didn't heal Junpei in Jujutsu Kaisen: Unveiled

Season 2 of Jujutsu Kaisen came to a close with Kenjaku's disturbing actions, transforming many humans into jujutsu sorcerers. The season was marked by tragedy, including the deaths of Nanami and Nobara, as well as the sealing of Gojo Satoru. Sukuna's brutal attack on Shibuya further revealed the extent of his unchecked wickedness.

Sukuna's malevolence was hinted at in season 1 when he heartlessly denied healing to Yuji's friend Junpei. This foreshadowed the devastating events that solidified his ruthless nature in the following season.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Junpei death a plan yielding no returns

The mocking of Yuji by Mahito and Sukuna during the death of Junpei is depicted in an image from Studio MAPPA.

Part of Jujutsu Kaisen season 1, the manipulation and transformation of Junpei Yoshino by the malevolent Mahito marked a turning point that left fans questioning why Sukuna, the fearsome Curse within Yuji Itadori, refused to heal him. Despite the belief that Junpei was just a tragic side character, his involvement was actually part of Mahito's intricate plan to shatter Yuji's resolve.

Mahito's sinister goal was to crush Yuji emotionally, giving Sukuna the opportunity to possess Yuji's body. To achieve this, Mahito altered Junpei's soul, transforming him into a cursed spirit-like being. In a desperate plea, Yuji begged Sukuna to restore Junpei to his human form, offering anything in return. Shockingly, Sukuna refused, and both Sukuna and Mahito heartlessly laughed at Yuji's anguish.

Ryomen Sukuna as shown in the anime (Image via Studio MAPPA)

Speculation remains the only explanation for Sukuna's refusal in the manga, which has reached around 250 chapters. It appears that Sukuna's decision to deny assistance to Junpei was rooted in his evil nature and personal animosity towards Yuji. This left fans puzzled and disturbed, as it was driven by Sukuna's desire to harm Yuji.

It can also be inferred that Sukuna had other motives, as Yuji offered him anything in exchange for healing Junpei. However, Sukuna, who already had a long-term plan involving Megumi Fushiguro, did not see any value in what Yuji could offer. This decision came after Sukuna and Yuji had entered a complex agreement, sealed with a binding vow.

The anime depicts Junpei as shown in the image above (Image via Studio MAPPA)

Sukuna's ultimate goal was to take over Megumi's body, making Yuji's offer meaningless in the bigger picture. Without any benefit in healing Junpei, Sukuna heartlessly dismissed the plea, forcing fans to confront the unsettling truth of Sukuna's wickedness and calculated tactics.

Furthermore, Junpei Yoshino played a crucial role beyond his tragic destiny. Being the first ordinary human to be transformed into a Jujutsu Sorcerer by Mahito, his metamorphosis held great significance during the Culling Games arc. Kenjaku's grand plan relied on Mahito's ability to convert ordinary humans into Jujutsu Sorcerers, with the aim of reviving the golden era of jujutsu from the Heian Era.

Kenjaku as shown in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

Final thoughts

Junpei's transformation was a pivotal precursor to the larger plan, shedding light on Mahito's malevolent ability to turn regular people into Jujutsu Sorcerers, a power that ultimately fueled the sinister events of the Culling Games.

Despite the heart-wrenching turn of events in Jujutsu Kaisen season 1's opening, where Junpei stood alongside Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara, fans were left with shattered hopes due to Junpei's tragic demise. However, the announcement of Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 adapting the Culling Games arc promises even more intense and thrilling revelations as the anime continues to evolve.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I was deeply affected by the events surrounding Junpei's death and Sukuna's refusal to heal him. The scene where Sukuna and Mahito mocked Yuji's anguish was particularly disturbing, as it highlighted the extent of Sukuna's cruelty and lack of empathy. It was clear that Sukuna had no regard for human life and was willing to sacrifice Junpei in order to further his own goals.

I found it particularly intriguing that Sukuna's decision to deny assistance to Junpei was not simply a matter of indifference, but rather a calculated move driven by his animosity towards Yuji. This revelation added a layer of complexity to Sukuna's character and made him even more compelling as a villain. It also raised questions about Sukuna's true motivations and the nature of his relationship with Yuji.