My Hero Academia Effectively Justifies Shigaraki’s Plot Armor Compared to Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen

Both My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen feature formidable antagonists, each showcasing significant potential to be among the best in the Shonen category. As the stories approached their respective conclusions, the fate of Shigaraki and Sukuna became a topic of much speculation, particularly concerning their plot armor. Notably, Shigaraki’s protective narrative armor appeared much more robust compared to that of Sukuna.

Leading up to the climactic battles, Shigaraki encountered numerous life-threatening situations, surviving them primarily due to his plot armor. A key instance was his attempted amalgamation with All for One, which, despite being incomplete, showcased his unexpected survival. Conversely, Sukuna faced only one significant brush with death, which ironically resulted in his demise, indicating a stark contrast in the extent of protection granted by plot armor.

Disclaimer: This article may contain spoilers from the mangas My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen and reflects the author’s perspective.

Comparing the Plot Armor of Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen and Shigaraki from My Hero Academia

Shigaraki's final words to Deku (Image via Shueisha) — Shigaraki’s final words to Deku (Image via Shueisha)

Tomura Shigaraki emerged as a central villain in My Hero Academia, whereas Ryomen Sukuna served as the ultimate antagonist in Jujutsu Kaisen. Each displayed a menacing demeanor, driven by a desire to eradicate humanity, with Shigaraki focusing on heroes and Sukuna targeting sorcerers.

Ultimately, both characters met their tragic ends in the last chapters of their respective series, a fitting conclusion reflecting their profound sins. Shigaraki succumbed to All for One, who continued to exert influence even after his demise. Although Izuku Midoriya sought to liberate him through his vestiges, Shigaraki was ultimately unsalvageable during these critical events.

Sukuna's last scenes in the series (Image via Shueisha) — Sukuna’s last scenes (Image via Shueisha)

On the other hand, Ryomen Sukuna lost control over his vessel, Fushiguro Megumi, due to external interventions, rendering him a mere form of disembodied flesh. Despite the poignant moments shared between him and Itadori during Sukuna’s final breath, he rebuffed Itadori’s kindness, cryptically hinting at a potential return.

Both characters, despite their powerful abilities, did not fully capitalize on their narrative protections, which is evident in their respective lethal confrontations.

Shigaraki depicted in the anime (Image via Bones)

From the outset of My Hero Academia, Shigaraki’s continued survival against overwhelming odds has frequently been attributed to his plot armor. Notable events include his grueling fight with Gigantomachia, his persistence despite psychological warfare from All for One, and ultimately being spared from complete incapacitation by All for One’s grasp.

In contrast, Sukuna’s survival hinged more on his cunning and strategic thinking than on plot armor. He adeptly navigated potential fatal encounters, demonstrating versatility as he switched hosts through careful planning. This indicates that while Gege Akutami crafted Sukuna’s narrative without heavy reliance on plot armor, Kohei Horikoshi leaned more on it for Shigaraki’s character arc.

Concluding Remarks

It’s not inherently flawed for Sukuna to have less reliance on plot armor within Jujutsu Kaisen. However, in the Shonen genre, there’s often an expectation for antagonists to evade disaster leading up to the climax. This deviation may explain why Ryomen Sukuna stands apart from other typical Shonen villains.

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