Sukuna’s Cursed Technique: Abilities, Binding Vows & More

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Learn why Sukuna is so powerful compared to others

Co-authored by Brandon Riley and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: February 16, 2026 Fact Checked

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Sukuna’s Cursed Technique

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Other Abilities

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Binding Vows

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Why is Sukuna so powerful?

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In Jujutsu Kaisen, Ryomen Sukuna (aka the King of Curses) is regarded as the strongest sorcerer in history. As the strongest, he has access to a vast amount of techniques and abilities. Throughout the story, his innate cursed technique is hinted at, but it isn’t fully explained until the Culling Game and Shinjuku Showdown Arcs. In this article, we explain what Sukuna’s cursed technique is, what other abilities he holds, why he’s so strong, and more! Read on to get up to speed. Beware, though, there are spoilers ahead.

Sukuna’s Cursed Technique From Jujutsu Kaisen

Ryomen Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen’s main cursed technique is Shrine, which allows him to create and manipulate invisible slashes that cut down enemies. Shrine is broken into three different techniques with varying cutting power:

Dismantle: A slash with slicing power dependent on the cursed energy poured into it.
Cleave: A slash that adjusts its power based on the target’s cursed energy.
Divine Flame: A long-range attack that lets Sukuna manipulate and launch flames.

Section 1 of 4:

What is Sukuna’s cursed technique?

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Sukuna’s main cursed technique is Shrine. Sukuna’s innate technique is Shrine, which allows him to create invisible slashes that cut down his enemies. Shrine itself is broken into three different techniques: Dismantle, Cleave, and Divine Flame. They’re all technically Sukuna’s innate technique, but they serve different functions in the King of Curses’ arsenal:^{[1]
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- Dismantle: A default slash attack that’s fired with a hand gesture. The technique fires with great speed, with its slicing power depending on the cursed energy poured into it.
  - Dismantle is capable of cutting skyscrapers, curses, and sorcerers with ease.
  - Dismantle was enhanced with the help of Mahoraga, with Sukuna broadening its target to include the world itself, turning the technique into the “Slash That Cuts the World.”
- Cleave: A slashing attack that adjusts its power based on the target’s cursed energy and toughness to cut them with one slash.
  - Sukuna can enhance Cleave into “Spiderweb” by placing his hand on the ground and applying it to the environment in the shape of a spider-web.
- Divine Flame: A long-range flame attack that can only be used after performing Dismantle and Cleave. It allows Sukuna to manipulate flames and launch them at enemies.
  - Divine Flame is fairly weak in comparison to Sukuna’s other techniques, as it lacks the same speed and effective range as Dismantle and Cleave.
  - Sukuna placed a binding bow on himself to strengthen Divine Flame, restricting him from using it against multiple targets unless they’re in his domain, where the attack is guaranteed to hit.
  - This technique is commonly known among fans as “Fuga” or “Open,” as that’s what Sukuna has to say in order to activate it.

Section 2 of 4:

Sukuna’s Other Abilities

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Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine Sukuna’s Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine is an extension of his cursed technique, giving him the ability to relentlessly slash any target or object enveloped in his domain. Unlike other sorcerers, Sukuna’s domain is open, meaning it has a range of 200 meters (656 feet) rather than being confined to a bubble like standard domains.^{[2]
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- Anime and manga enthusiast Brandon Riley says a domain expansion is an extension of a user’s innate cursed technique. It typically manifests in the form of a ball, and anyone encased in it is guaranteed to be hit by the technique.^{[3]
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Reverse Cursed Technique Reverse Cursed Technique is a powerful technique in Jujutsu Kaisen where users multiply negative cursed energy onto itself to create positive cursed energy, which can then be used to heal wounds to the body and soul. With Sukuna’s immense cursed energy and understanding of it, it makes sense that he can use the Reverse Cursed Technique with ease.^{[4]
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- Sukuna is a rare case of a sorcerer being able to use Reverse Cursed Technique to heal himself and others, as shown when he healed Megumi Fushiguro from suspended death during the Shibuya Arc.
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Domain Amplification Domain amplification is a technique that allows Jujutsu sorcerers to envelop their bodies in their domain, typically to protect themselves from the sure-hit effect of enemy domains. Sukuna is no stranger to domain amplification, having used it to neutralize Gojo’s Limitless technique during their battle so he could make physical contact with him.
- Sukuna is exceptionally talented with domain amplification, as shown during his battle with Mahoraga during the Shibuya Arc when he used it in quick intervals to interrupt Mahoraga’s adaptation.
Hollow Wicker Basket is another anti-domain technique that protects the user from the guaranteed-hit effect by surrounding them with a wicker-like barrier (as long as they remain still). During the Shinjuku Showdown Arc, Sukuna used the Hollow Wicker Basket to protect himself against Yuta Okkotsu and Yuji Itadori’s domains when his technique was burnt out.
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Ten Shadows Technique After taking over Megumi Fushiguro’s body, Sukuna gained access to the Zenin clan’s prized Ten Shadows Technique. With this technique, Sukuna is able to summon ten shikigami (spirit monsters) by manipulating shadows. He can also hide in shadows, store items in them, and use the shikigami in battle.^{[5]
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- This technique was crucial for Sukuna’s victory against Satoru Gojo during the Shinjuku Showdown Arc, as he was able to use Mahoraga (the most powerful shikigami from the technique) to adapt to Gojo’s techniques.
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Incarnation Since Sukuna was born in the Heian era and isn’t immortal like Tengen, he had to split his soul into 20 fingers with the help of Kenjaku, turning him into 20 cursed objects that reincarnate the King of Curses if anyone consumes them. After Yuji Itadori ate one of the fingers in 2018, Sukuna was reincarnated into him, returning to the world of jujutsu.
- Sukuna’s incarnation caused Yuji to grow a second pair of eyes. The eyes are typically closed, but they’re open when Sukuna is in control.
- Sukuna’s strength is divided into the 20 fingers he was turned into. So when he was first incarnated, he was much weaker than when he initially walked the earth. But over the course of the story, he becomes stronger as Yuji eats more fingers.
After incarnating into a new vessel, Sukuna can give them new eyes and mouths at will. This lets him speak to the host (and others) and see without needing to control their body, allowing him to freely taunt them. He typically uses this ability to ridicule and belittle Yuji Itadori whenever he gets the chance.
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Black Flash Black Flash is a powerful technique where users imbue their punches with cursed energy within 0.000001 seconds of making contact, causing a spatial distortion where their cursed energy turns black and the power of their strike is multiplied by 2.5.^{[6]
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Research source} With Sukuna’s incredible control over his cursed energy, it’s no surprise that he can use this technique with ease.
- Sukuna has used the attack multiple times throughout the series, including during his battles with Maki Zenin and Choso in the Shinjuku Showdown Arc.
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Great Strength, Speed, and Reflexes Sukuna is a master at hand-to-hand combat, effortlessly defeating opponents like Megumi Fushiguro and Yuji Itadori without needing to activate his cursed technique. His strength is incredible, his speed makes it seem like he teleports, and his reflexes are second to none, making him an extremely difficult opponent to face in battle.
- When he was battling a Finger-Bearer (a cursed spirit who ate one of his fingers and gained great strength as a result), Sukuna was able to easily crush it with his strength, catch it by surprise with his speed, and even rip its arm off before it noticed.
- As Yuji ate more of Sukuna’s fingers, Sukuna’s strength, speed, and physical prowess vastly increased.
- When he was battling Jogo (one of the strongest curses on Kenjaku’s team) after eating 16 fingers, Sukuna easily overpowered the disaster curse, punching him through multiple skyscraper floors and effortlessly dodging his most powerful attack.
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Incredible Durability During his battles, Sukuna is extremely durable. Not only has he been able to tank hits from some of the strongest curses in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, but he was also able to directly block Gojo’s Hollow Purple (which was at 200% of its usual output) and only lose his arms, whereas any other sorcerer would have been killed immediately.
- Even though he lost his arms after blocking Gojo’s 200% Hollow Purple, Sukuna was able to quickly regenerate them using Reverse Cursed Technique.
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Vast Cursed Energy Control and Reserves Sukuna is blessed with vast amounts of cursed energy, which surpasses that of Yuta Okkotsu, who himself is said to have more cursed energy than Satoru Gojo. On top of his vast cursed energy, Sukuna also has incredibly precise control over his cursed energy, which makes him extremely proficient in using cursed techniques and domain expansion.
- Sukuna has incredible mastery over his cursed technique as a result of his cursed energy and proficiency, being able to seamlessly shift between his innate technique and domain amplification.
- Hajime Kashimo (one of the strongest sorcerers from the Edo period) even stated that if it wasn’t for Gojo’s Six Eyes, he wouldn’t be able to compare to Sukuna and his ability to utilize cursed energy.
- Due to his control over his cursed energy, Sukuna is also able to fortify himself and his techniques with cursed energy, making both stronger and more durable.
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Enhanced Body Structure Sukuna’s true form is vastly different from the one he takes on when he is reincarnated. In the Heian era, he had four arms, four eyes (with the two on his right side being backed by a white, solid flesh-plate), a large mouth on his abdomen, and black dotted and ringed tattoos over his body.^{[7]
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- This form allows him to use his cursed techniques and domain expansion with ease, as he has more arms for hand signs and an extra mouth for chanting strength-enhancing verses.
- Typically, Sukuna uses two arms for fighting, two for hand signs, and his extra mouth for verses (as he uses his first to taunt his enemies).
- Sukuna reincarnates into this form after defeating Gojo in Megumi’s body.

Section 3 of 4:

Sukuna’s Binding Vows

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Sukuna uses binding vows throughout the series to gain the upper hand. Binding vows are self-imposed restrictions that are used to break past personal limitations in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. Sukuna uses about six or seven binding vows in the Shinjuku Showdown alone, which help turn the tide and give him the upper hand in his battles against Satoru Gojo, Yuji Itadori, and the rest of our heroes. All of the binding vows he uses are:^{[8]
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- Enchain: A binding vow formed after Sukuna ripped Yuji’s heart out. Sukuna gets full control over Yuji’s body for one minute after he says “Enchain.” During this minute, Sukuna cannot hurt or harm any other sorcerers.
- Increased Domain Output: During his battle against Gojo, Sukuna used a binding vow to reduce the range of his domain in exchange for increased destructive power.
- World-Cutting Slash: During his battle against Gojo, Sukuna used a binding vow to force himself to charge energy, do the Enmaten hand sign, and chant in exchange for immediately launching slashes that cut the world itself.
  - Sukuna learned how to use the world-cutting slash after observing Mahoraga adapt to Gojo’s technique.
- 99-Second Malevolent Shrine: Sukuna was unable to activate his domain to full effect due to brain damage. By imposing a binding vow, though, he was able to expand it with maximum output for 99 seconds.
- Enhanced Divine Flame: To strengthen Divine Flame, Sukuna set up a binding vow that only allowed the technique to be used against multiple targets that are in his domain, in exchange for a guaranteed hit of explosive cursed energy.
- 3-Minute Malevolent Shrine: To extend the time limit of his Domain Expansion to 3 minutes, Sukuna performed a binding vow that limited its effective range.

Section 4 of 4:

Why is Sukuna so powerful?

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Sukuna is powerful because of his strength, intelligence, and cursed energy. Not only is Sukuna incredibly strong, fast, and durable, but he is also extremely smart. Using his great intelligence, Sukuna is able to quickly attack, counterattack, and come up with contingencies against his enemies. He also has vast knowledge of cursed energy and jujutsu sorcery, which he uses in conjunction with his cursed energy to overwhelm enemies.
- Sukuna’s ruthlessness also plays a part in his strength. Rather than holding himself back to protect others, his ruthlessness drives him to hold himself back in favor of drawing fights out.
- Holding himself back forces Sukuna to rely on his intelligence and strength to catch enemies off guard and overwhelm them.
- Sukuna also has a practically endless well of cursed energy, which he can use to constantly apply pressure with cursed techniques, putting him leagues above other sorcerers in the universe.
- Even Yuta Okkotsu, who is said to have more cursed energy than Satoru Gojo, says Sukuna’s cursed energy is at least double the amount of his.