The Shinjuku Showdown Arc in Jujutsu Kaisen is renowned for its intense and strategic storytelling, particularly concerning Binding Vows. These crucial contracts between sorcerers and curses significantly influence the outcomes of battles.
Throughout this arc, Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, established multiple Binding Vows to gain advantages, enact sacrifices, or secure power during pivotal moments. Each vow illustrates Sukuna’s meticulously calculating nature and mastery of Jujutsu.
Below are all six of Sukuna’s Binding Vows from the Shinjuku Showdown Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, presented in chronological order to highlight their critical impact on the ultimate confrontation.
Disclaimer: This article contains the author’s opinions and spoilers from the manga.
Sukuna’s Binding Vows in the Shinjuku Showdown Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen
1) Enhance output with restricted Domain
During the Battle of the Strongest, Sukuna strategically utilized a Binding Vow to limit the range of his domain while boosting its output against Gojo. When Gojo expanded his Unlimited Void to counter Sukuna’s Malevolent Shrine, Sukuna recognized that he needed to adapt.
By intentionally constraining the area of effect of his domain, Sukuna achieved a remarkable boost in concentration. This adjustment allowed him to deliver more focused and potent strikes.
Essentially, the Binding Vow sacrificed area coverage for enhanced destructive capability, enabling Sukuna to briefly overpower Gojo’s defenses, showcasing his quick-thinking and willingness to trade movement flexibility for raw power in this exceptional battle.
2) Further increase output against Gojo
In response to Gojo’s ongoing adaptations, Sukuna initiated a second, more drastic Binding Vow, further constraining the domain’s range. This allowed him to maximize power density within a smaller area.
By sacrificing additional coverage, Sukuna attained an unprecedented level of cursed energy output, placing Gojo’s defenses in jeopardy during their clash in Jujutsu Kaisen.
3) Activate strong Dismantle instantly
To unleash his formidable Dismantle technique against Gojo, Sukuna employed a Binding Vow that imposed strict execution limits. This vow required Sukuna to charge his energy, perform the Enmaten hand sign, and recite an incantation, resulting in a visible delay in activation. However, it granted him the ability to cast Dismantle instantly at a critical moment without any body movement.
This tactical limitation enabled Sukuna to employ his destructive technique strategically, maximizing its potential to inflict significant damage while enhancing his chances of defeating Satoru Gojo.
4) Limit Malevolent Shrine to 99 seconds
In an effort to use his Dismantle technique on Maki, Sukuna enacted a Binding Vow restricting his use of the cursed technique. This commitment mandated that Sukuna charge his energy, apply the Enmaten hand sign, and recite an incantation, which delayed the technique’s execution.
This vow ensured that Sukuna could employ Dismantle at the optimal moment with even greater force. He capitalized on the Shinjuku battle by distracting Maki with debris while he whispered the incantation to prepare for the impending attack.
5) Increase the effect of his Furnace technique
Sukuna instituted a Binding Vow to enhance the effectiveness of his Furnace technique, which restricted its use against multiple targets outside of his domain. In exchange, any object destroyed by his Cleave or Dismantle techniques within the domain would absorb the explosive cursed energy from Furnace.
This created devastating attacks that resulted in massive explosions with a wide impact radius. Furthermore, Sukuna vowed to seal his domain airtight, allowing entry only to living beings to optimize the Furnace’s efficiency, thus maximizing the technique’s overall impact.
6) Extend the duration of his Domain
To prolong his Domain Expansion beyond typical limits, Sukuna made a Binding Vow that reduced the effective range of his domain to that of Yuta’s domain. This adjustment enabled him to extend his domain’s duration far beyond the standard 99 seconds, potentially lasting up to 3 minutes.
This strategic decision mirrors the concept of trading a heavier burden for a lighter one in order to endure longer, allowing Sukuna to maintain his domain for an extended time by reducing its size.
Final thoughts
The Shinjuku Showdown Arc in Jujutsu Kaisen demonstrates Sukuna’s strategic prowess through the six Binding Vows he made over the course of 45 chapters. Some of these vows served as simple enhancements to his domain’s output, while others, like the limitation on Malevolent Shrine’s duration, showcased a level of complexity.
Compared to any other character in this arc, none made more than three vows, emphasizing Sukuna’s distinct approach to manipulation of power.
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