Jujutsu Kaisen: Who is Kenjaku?

As the story of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the story is not only about cursed spirits and sorcerers. It is a war steeped in centuries of manipulation. Kenjaku is a key antagonist and a manipulator of events in Jujutsu Kaisen. He has lived for many years and wants to destroy the structure of jujutsu sorcerers.

In Jujutsu Kaisen, after the name Sukuna, Kenjaku is most likely the second most popular villain. Kenjaku is one of the main villains causing trouble—thanks to his ability to possess different bodies and extend his life for centuries, he has been pulling strings over the decades in secret.

Kenjaku has taken over strong sorcerers, brought dead people back to life, and started the Culling Game. He did all these to reach his goal of breaking the norm. While Sukuna and Gojo Satoru might dominate much of the spotlight, Kenjaku is arguably the show’s most blatant villain—not just for his power, but for his goal.

The origins of Kenjaku are among the most cryptic in Jujutsu Kaisen. They date back to Japan’s golden age of jujutsu sorcery more than a thousand years ago when Kenjaku was alive as a powerful sorcerer. He developed a cursed technique in which he transplanted his brain into other people, making him technically immortal. With this ability, he is capable of controlling his hosts, preserving both their techniques and furthering his plans.

Over the centuries, Kenjaku has possessed several historically prominent figures in Jujutsu Kaisen. Kenjaku once took over Noritoshi Kamo, a member of the well-known Kamo Clan. At that time, people called Noritoshi the most evil sorcerer in history. In truth, it was Kenjaku behind those atrocities he committed. This shows that he does not care who he hurts as long as it takes him closer to his dream.

In the present storyline, Kenjaku's most well-known host is Suguru Geto, a former friend of Gojo with a unique ability. This possession added emotional weight to the series, as characters like Gojo now face the trauma of fighting someone who looks like their once-beloved friend.

Unlike other antagonists who seek power or revenge, Kenjaku’s motivation is rooted in ideology. His goal is to force the evolution of humanity by merging all of Japan with Tengen, a centuries-old, non-human entity that maintains the barrier protecting the jujutsu world. By doing so, he aims to create a new form of being that transcends human limitations through a cursed energy.

To make this happen, he begins the Culling Game—a deadly fight between cursed users and resurrected ancient sorcerers. This game allows Kenjaku to collect cursed energy at a massive scale, setting the stage for his ultimate goal: a merging ritual with Tengen. This was also one of the most interesting arcs in Jujutsu Kaisen.

In many ways, Kenjaku sees himself as an artist or visionary. To him, pain, death, and chaos are merely the costs of transformation. This cold, utilitarian philosophy makes him unique from most of the jujutsu sorcerers in Jujutsu Kaisen.

Kenjaku’s Manipulations in Jujutsu Kaisen

Kenjaku’s fingerprints are all over the major events in the Jujutsu Kaisen timeline. Kenjaku released Sukuna’s fingers, which made Yuji Itadori become Sukuna’s vessel. He also planned the Shibuya Incident, where many people died and Gojo Satoru was sealed away. Using Suguru Geto’s appearance, Kenjaku manipulated both allies and foes, catching the jujutsu world off guard.

One of Kenjaku’s overlooked abilities is his knowledge of jujutsu history and technique compatibility. He carefully selects hosts whose abilities suit his long-term plans—whether it's Noritoshi Kamo’s blood manipulation to Suguru Geto’s cursed spirit manipulation.

He does not see people as individuals—he sees people as chess pieces, tools to be positioned in his overall vision. Oddly, Kenjaku does not seem motivated by revenge, jealousy, or ambition. His detachment from these common motivations makes him feel more terrifying. He acts more like a force of nature than a traditional villain in Jujutsu Kaisen.

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Conclusion

In the end, Kenjaku changed the jujutsu world more than any other villain in Jujutsu Kaisen. While Sukuna is strong and grabs attention, Kenjaku is dangerous because he is smart and patient. But like in most Shonen anime, the villains don’t always win.

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