Mahito may be the most despised villain in Jujutsu Kaisen, yet there exists a profound symbolism behind his character that many may not have fully understood.
Prior to the highly impactful Shibuya Incident Arc, the Disaster Curses, which include Jogo, Hanami, Dagon, and Mahito, play significant roles as the main antagonists in Jujutsu Kaisen. These Special Grade curses are born from humanity’s deep-rooted fear of natural disasters.
However, Mahito distinguishes himself within this group. Rather than embodying a natural disaster, Mahito emerges from the intrinsic fear humans have of one another.
In addition to being different in origin, Mahito is also the youngest among the Disaster Curses and is believed to possess the greatest potential. This fact, though often overlooked, has gained attention due to a Reddit discussion where a user pondered why Mahito is the youngest, considering that fear of fellow humans is as ancient as any other fear.
Mahito embodies the fear humanity harbors towards itself
The reasoning behind this phenomenon is remarkably simple yet profound. As noted by various users in the comments, this perspective serves as a brilliant social commentary from creator Gege Akutami.
Human beings’ fear of themselves reflects the state of society; as time has progressed, individuals have become increasingly aware of the atrocities their fellow humans are capable of, leading to the emergence of this fear and, consequently, the birth of Mahito.
One commenter aptly remarked, “The fear of other people is conditioned by societal circumstances. Primitive societies experienced conflicts among tribes, yet generally favored peace over violence. When encountering rival tribes, it was likely that both parties preferred returning home rather than escalating to bloodshed.
Mahito’s Domain Expansion: Self-Embodiment of Perfection
The compelling narrative that Gege appears to explore is that humanity, particularly in contemporary times, has shifted from protecting one another to posing threats against one another. This increased fear resonates in ways previously unseen, and the negative emotions accumulating in modern society have given rise to a new form of disaster—human beings.
“As we’ve become capable of mass destruction, the cursed spirit representing our fears of one another has materialized into a being that exemplifies that potential for vast destruction.”
This interpretation of such a notorious character as Mahito offers an intriguing perspective. It also showcases how Akutami has ingeniously woven intricate and significant elements into his character development. It will undoubtedly inspire fans to delve deeper into other aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen.
Jujutsu Kaisen is set to conclude with Chapter 271 on September 29, 2024.
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