Summary
Sacrificing humanity for power is a necessary evil in the war against Sukuna; Becoming a monster is the only path to victory. Yuji's transformation into a monster includes gaining new techniques and Sukuna's power signature, which changes his kind nature. Aoi Todo's return could be the key to realizing Yuji's full potential and ensuring victory, reshaping the world after Sukuna's fall.
Latest chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen reinforced what Yuji and the other heroes needed to sacrifice to defeat Sukuna, and that was their humanity. The Cursed King is a great threat, a four-armed devil who does not hesitate to do anything to assert himself as the strongest of all wizards, and Itadori is learning to do the same in an attempt to catch up. After all, there will be no future as long as Sukuna lives, his reign will surely usher in a new era of destruction and death on a level never before seen in history.
However, Itadori was not the only one who had to make many sacrifices to defeat the most powerful sorcerer in history. Gojo's body returned but his soul did not, as Yuta Okkotsa controlled it through a copy of Kenjaku's Curse Technique. It was a last resort measure taken to both protect himself and have the best chance of winning against Sukuna, but it wasn't easy. It is an act that is both desperate and immoral, and demonstrates the kind of people Yuji, Yuta, and the others must become to achieve victory. They must become monsters.
To wield great power is to become a monster, a burden that Gojo once carried alone but is now shouldered by his students after his death. Witches like Sukuna and Kenjaku have long been monsters, and if the protagonist wants to catch up, they will have to make sacrifices, just like Yuta did.
Become a monster in Jujutsu Kaisen
Meaning of using power
The word 'monster' in Jujutsu Kaisen terminology does not so much refer to a monstrous nature or appearance, but rather to being strong enough to bend the world to one's will. Satoru Gojo is often called a monster because of his pure power – being the first user of the Six Eyes and the Limitless technique for four centuries, His sheer power was enough to force the world to catch up. The curses became larger and more powerful, trying to compete with this emerging threat. Perhaps it's fitting that Gojo's death also brings about a new generation of monsters.
Among his students, there is Maki, who was also called a 'monster' by Momo in chapter #191 after her Heavenly Restriction was released. Her physical strength now confronts Toji Fushiguro, another 'monster' from the past. Yuta is also a 'monster' or at least ready to become a 'monster' – his Cursed Energy level is beyond normal and His curse technique 'Copy' is the most adaptable and absolutely powerful in the series, literally any technique can be copied. Yuji himself also becomes increasingly stronger thanks to a number of diverse factors.
How Yuji got his own cursed technique
Itadori stole Sukuna's technique for himself
Yuji spent most of Jujutsu Kaisen as someone who lacked Natural Techniques. He just relied on hitting hard with the Cursed Energy and finding a way to make it flow. But Yuji does have profound potential, a potential that he exploits in many ways before and during his battle with Sukuna. One of those ways is to devour your brothers, six remaining Cursed Wombs: Death Paintings.
With Choso's permission, Itadori consumed them and learned the art of his brothers and the Kamo clan – Blood Manipulation. Additionally, Sukuna's time as a vessel also imprinted a technique on him, the Shrine of Evil itself. Sukuna's own power turns against him in battle as Yuji gets closer and closer to becoming the King of Curses.
However, the act of eating his brothers is still very meaningful, especially for a kind boy like Yuji. Even Sukuna's acquisition of the cursed technique as a consequence of sharing a body has a deeper meaning, because it means that Sukuna left his “imprint” on Yuji, who was accidentally transformed into a monster, as evidenced by his use of the brutal Shrine technique.
Todo's return represents a turning point
Yuji's other brother will lead him to victory
Of course, Aoi Todo's triumphant return could be the driving force that pushes Yuji to truly break free of his shackles and do the jump. In the past, Todo's support and strength were what pushed the young wizard to fly even higher. It was Todo who helped Yuji score the first Black Lightning against Hanami during the Goodwill Event and who motivated him to stand up against Mahito's cruel nature in Shibuya. Here, he will definitely do the same thing in Shinjuku Showdown.
First, staying by Yuji's side after losing allies like Higurama and Choso is extremely important. In many ways, it resembles the appearance of Todo in Shibuya, a warrior ready to aid his brother in battle. With Itadori having demonstrated Shrine as a technique, perhaps Todo will be the exact support he needs, who will then testify when Yuji demonstrates his own domain-expanding abilities. Imagining Sukuna falling to his own power, done by a vessel he despised, would be an epic conclusion to this fight.
What could becoming a monster mean after Sukuna
Reshape the world to become a better place
Yuta Okkotsa advises Satoru Gojo not to become a monster himself along with Maki Zenin and Toge Inumaki.
But once, and if Sukuna falls, what does that mean for the cast? With the most powerful wizard in history fallen, they will certainly make their own way in the world. Perhaps Maki will create a new, better Zenin clan with her power, creating a new dynasty to lead the wizarding world. Can Yuta find a way to return to his body, so that his mentor can finally get the rest he deserves after shouldering the burden of being the only 'monster' most for a long time.
As for Yuji, perhaps he will be able to fulfill the wish his grandfather left him – died surrounded by friends, after a lifetime of helping people. Because monsters can shape the world around their power, the protagonists do it for the better. The road may be bloody, but through the darkness, a glorious dawn awaits them.
Of course, Gege Akutami is also not known as a predictable writer. Jujutsu Kaisen thrives on its surprising twists and turns. Some fans think that Yuji doesn't necessarily have a happy ending, or that Sukuna might emerge victorious from the ashes. No matter what, the Shinjuku Showdown rages on, the stakes and sacrifices getting higher and higher.
