Summary
As the central character ofJujutsu Kaisen, Ryomen Sukuna’s character is laced with all manner of nuances and hidden meanings. Whether it’s his origins or his status asthe King of Curses, much about Sukuna remains obscure, including the markings on his body. Sukuna’s tattoos are a significant part of his character, as these markings are the primary element that differentiate Itadori Yuji from Sukuna.
However, these marks are much more than mere differentiators for Yuji and Sukuna. The tattoos symbolize another aspect of his character, one that is also tied to Japan’s very own history. Gege Akutami has cleverly incorporated all sorts of hidden nuances in his characters, and Sukuna’s tattoos are another aspect that showcase the depth ofJujutsu Kaisen.
What Is the Purpose of Sukuna’s Tattoos?
Sukuna’s Marks Differentiate Him From Yuji
It’s common for anime series to feature twodifferent characters that share one body. These characters usually come with a set of differentiators that allow the audience to immediately understand which character is in control of the body. Sukuna’s tattoos serve a similar purpose, as these markings appear whenever Sukuna takes charge of Yuji Itadori’s body.
While Sukuna’s demeanor and actions are another obvious tell-tale, his tattoos serve as a clear indicator of him being in control of the body. Moreover, some scenes require a visual cue for the viewers to differentiatebetween Sukuna and Yuji, making these tattoos the perfect method for keeping the two personas separate.
Sukuna’s markings have remained a point of contention withinJujutsu Kaisen’sfanbase. Many believe that his tattoos are a canon part of his appearance. Others speculate that Sukuna’s tattoos are only visible to the audience, and they serve no in-universe significance. However, a few moments withinJujutsu Kaisenhave clearly hinted at Sukuna’s tattoos being a concrete concept, and the meaning behind these markings further cements the notion of his marks being a legitimate aspect of his character.
Good, the marks are still here - Jogo
The Markings of a Criminal
Tattoos Were Used to Mark Criminals in Japan
Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, is feared as a being akin to a god within the world ofJujutsu Kaisen. However, this very demon was once a human, albeit with exceptional jujutsu sorcery. During his time as a human, Sukuna committed all sorts of unspeakable crimes, and his reign of terror is exactly what led to him becoming anextremely powerful curse user. His menacing presence even earned him the infamous title of King of Curses.
Ryomen Sukuna lived during the Heian Era of Japan, a time period in the archipelago’s history when criminals were punished with tattoos on their bodies. These permanent marks served as a way to mark a person as a criminal forever. This punishment wasn’t just to inflict pain on criminals, as it also served as a warning for other civilians to steer clear of such individuals.
Sukuna’s Tattoos Reflect His Crimes
Since Sukuna was alive during this era, it’s likely that his body was branded with these tattoos for his multitude of crimes. While it’s odd forJujutsu Kaisen’smost powerful sorcerer to be defiled with marks set for criminals, it’s likely that he wore these tattoos as a way to further his own menacing presence.
The more tattoos a person bears, the bigger his crimes are, andSukuna embellished his own bodywith these marks as a badge of honor. While the tattoos on the rest of his body might reflect a different meaning, the marks on his arms clearly mirror the tattoos forcefully imprinted on thieves in the Heian Era of Japan. Face tattoos, on the other hand, were given to criminals for harsher crimes such as murder.Jujutsu Kaisenhas taken inspiration from much of Japan’s history and mythology, and Sukuna’s tattoos are clearly another example of this symbolism.
The Tattoos Reflect Sukuna’s Strength
Sukuna’s Marks Could Possibly Represent His Cursed Energy
While most of Sukuna’s tattoos symbolize his heinous crimes during his time as a human, others possibly hold a different meaning. The marks on his torso and upper body are similar to marks apparent on many Jujutsu sorcerers. These marks are a means of enhancing one’s cursed energy. Examples of this can be witnessed inJJK, such as Inumaki’s mouth tattoos for hisCursed Speech technique.
Sukuna’s tattoos could possibly represent his cursed techniques, or simply be an amplifier of sorts for his cursed energy. Multiple theories exist that speculate about the origins of his marks, such as these tattoos being an extension of his body, considering some marks change based on his current transformation. Gege has never exactly confirmed the exact symbolism behind Sukuna’s tattoos. However, the appearance of these tattoos is uncannily similar to the Heian Era punishment tattoos, making this the most plausible theory of one ofJujutsu Kaisen’smost intriguing mysteries.
