The way 'Jujutsu Kaisen' frames Sukuna as a curse rather than a sorcerer is fascinating because it digs into the core themes of power and morality in the series. Sorcerers, like Yuji or Gojo, wield cursed energy but generally channel it for protection or balance—even if their methods are flawed. Sukuna, though, embodies pure, unrestrained malice. He doesn’t follow any code or hierarchy; he’s chaos incarnate. Historically, he was a human who became something monstrous, reveling in destruction for its own sake. That’s why the label 'curse' fits him perfectly—it’s not just about his origins, but his essence. The series blurs lines between curses and sorcerers sometimes, but Sukuna’s actions leave no room for ambiguity. He’s the kind of threat that makes you question whether redemption or coexistence is even possible for some beings.
What’s also interesting is how the narrative contrasts him with characters like Geto or Mahito. Geto’s descent into villainy had a twisted logic—he believed he was saving humanity. Sukuna? He’d laugh at the idea of justification. His indifference to human suffering is almost Lovecraftian. Even his vessel, Yuji, serves as a constant foil; Yuji’s empathy highlights Sukuna’s utter lack of it. The manga’s lore hints that curses are born from negative emotions, but Sukuna feels like he transcends that—he doesn’t just feed on fear; he cultivates it. That’s why calling him a sorcerer would feel dishonest. Sorcerers, even rogue ones, operate within some framework of understanding. Sukuna operates on whim, and that’s far more terrifying.