Is Ryōmen Sukuna Based On A Real Legend In Japanese Folklore?

Ryōmen Sukuna from 'Jujutsu Kaisen' is such a fascinating character, and digging into his origins feels like unraveling a myth wrapped in mystery. While he's heavily fictionalized in the series, the name Sukuna does appear in ancient Japanese texts like the 'Nihon Shoki' and 'Kojiki.' These texts describe him as a two-faced, four-armed being, but the details are sparse and more symbolic than historical. It's wild how Gege Akutami took this obscure figure and transformed him into this terrifying, charismatic villain. The original Sukuna was portrayed as a malevolent force, but the manga amps up his complexity, blending folklore with modern storytelling.

What's really cool is how 'Jujutsu Kizen' reimagines Sukuna's duality. The two-faced aspect in folklore might have symbolized duality or conflict, but in the anime, it becomes a literal split between his human and cursed energy forms. The way his legend is woven into the plot adds so much depth—like how his fingers become cursed objects, tying back to the idea of fragmented power. It's not a direct adaptation, but the inspiration is clear, and it makes the world-building feel richer. Sukuna's legend might be vague, but the series gives it new life, turning an ancient enigma into a central pillar of the story.

Sukuna's name pops up in old Japanese myths, but the 'Jujutsu Kaisen' version is mostly original. The real legend paints him as a monstrous figure with two faces and four arms, possibly symbolizing chaos or rebellion. The manga borrows the name and the eerie vibe but goes full creative with his backstory and powers. It's less about accuracy and more about vibes—taking a shadowy folk tale and turning it into something fresh and terrifying. The fingers-as-cursed-objects thing? Pure genius, zero historical basis. Folklore Sukuna is just a footnote; anime Sukuna steals the show.