One of the primary themes ofJujutsu Kaisenis the ancient and ongoing battle between good and evil. Indeed,Kenjakuis consistently depicted as one of the most dangerous villains, responsible for cruel acts of terrorism that caused the death of countless people. Conversely,SatoruGojois uniformly depicted as the defender of humanity against the evil that curses and bad sorcerers inflict. But few things in life play out so perfectly in black-and-white terms, andJujutsu Kaisenis no exception, especially when it comes to the motives of Gojo and Kenjaku.
Manga and anime are replete with examples of heroes and villains who, despite being diametrically opposed, ultimately reveal more similarities than differences. This is true ofJujutsu Kaisenas well. At first glance, most fans and critics might assume that this dichotomy refers to Gojo and Sukuna – the two primary representatives of good and evil in the story. However, a more fitting comparison is between Gojo and Kenjaku, as both are concerned about the future of the Jujutsu sorcery community and its path toward a more prosperous era.
Kenjaku Wants to Reform Jujutsu Society to Change the World
While His Methods Were Twisted, Kenjaku’s Motivations Were Not Selfish
Despite Kenjaku’s efforts to eliminate Gojo and Gojo’s determination to stop Kenjaku, the two share striking similarities intheir visions of what they want to achieve with Jujutsu sorcerers.Both of their ideas for a new Jujutsu sorcery society stem from a deep dissatisfaction with the current system. Kenjaku can be seen as a Jujutsu sorcery originalist. He believed that the golden era of sorcery was when sorcerers were free to essentially do as they pleased.
During this time Jujutsu sorcerers pushed the boundaries of sorcery, as well as human and curse interactions. Sorcerers like him could test the limits of humans, curses, and sorcery to gain a deeper understanding and control over immortality and, more importantly, human evolution. However, the increasing regulation of Jujutsu sorcerer’s habits by the powers that be, along with the consolidation of Jujutsu authority in the hands of a few clans and their allies, has led to a stagnation of the community’s spirit of experimentation, in Kenjaku’s opinion.
As a result,Kenjaku sought early on to upend and disruptthe current Jujutsu sorcery power structure, aiming to create a new world of sorcerers based on his belief in their superiority and his unshakable conviction that sorcerers could establish a safer and better world. This ultimately led to his orchestration of Star Plasma Vessel Riko Amanai’s assassination, the capture of Master Tengen, and the initiation of the Culling Game.
Gojo Was Never Afraid to Question Authority
Conversely, SatoruGojo was a Jujutsu sorcery progressist. He believed the community should focus on continuously adapting to the times, rather than being held back by outdated traditions that no longer make sense in modern society or, worse, hinder new discoveries and advancements in sorcery. One of his most vocal criticisms was that power within the community was largely controlled by the clans and Jujutsu High leadership, which Gojo believed only wanted to preserve the status quo and maintain their authority at all costs.
Gojo, much like Kenjaku, also believed that the old systems were an obstacle thatprevented sorcerers from reaching their full potential, which disproportionately affected younger sorcerers. Indeed, one of Gojo’s primary goals was to empower the next generation of sorcerers, whom he believed had the potential to revolutionize the current Jujutsu system and bring about truly positive, lasting change. He envisioned a more flexible, dynamic, and democratic Jujutsu society, where sorcerers could thrive and reach new heights.
According to Gojo’s analysis, only sorcerers who are free to be themselves can tap into their full potential, generating the energy needed to create a better, more protective form of Jujutsu sorcery, and thus a better society. This, in turn, would provide greater protection for both sorcerers and ordinary humans from the curses that would continue to haunt and challenge them.
The Shocking Similarities Between An Iconic Hero And An Insidious Villain
Despite their mutual animosity,Gojo and Kenjaku surprisingly shared a common goal: to create a new Jujutsu sorcery systemwhere individuals, rather than clans or institutions, are the central focus. Both viewed the current system as corrupt, selfish, and solely concerned with maintaining their own power, to the detriment of others. They also shared a hatred for curses but believed that, under the current system, curses would continue to thrive as a tool used by those in power to extend and tighten their grip on authority.
Gojo and Kenjaku had their differences, and they were indeed significant. WhileGojoaimed to create a more positive, humane, and effective sorcerer and sorcery system by taking down the old guard,Kenjaku’s goal was more radical: to demolish the existing system and empower all humans with sorcery abilities, letting them fight it out to determine who deserves to survive. Despite their contrasting objectives, their differences mask the fact that they had more in common than their bitter struggle inJujutsu Kaisenwould suggest.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisenis a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna’s finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
