Cursed Energy is a “curse” from the Heavens (Theory).
How Cursed energy relates to the “Other Side”.
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I would say the obvious and most telling piece of evidence of this theory is the special Binding Vow that can only be imposed at birth; Heavenly Restriction. The name itself is a dead give away for me, but its also something most people seem to look at as just a play on the buddhist themes in Jujutsu Kaisen, but thats just an addition to the theory we’ll discuss later. Specifically lets talk about the literal usage of the term “heavenly” in Jujutsu Kaisen, you’ll notice it doesn’t seem to be just a motif.
Lets start from the top, a Heavenly Restriction is a binding vow placed on someone at birth and it has a variety of effects that can be bestowed, however all of these effects are based around two things, the body and cursed energy. Its very simple, either your heavenly restriction will take away your cursed energy and give you superhuman strength, or you lose parts of you body in return for an abundance of cursed energy.
Why is this important? Well, think about what we know about the body and its relation to cursed energy. Think back to Yuji fighting Todo during the Goodwill Event, Todo teaches Yuji about how cursed energy channeling is like breathing, and specifically says “We exist in this world with our entire mind body and soul”. These aren’t just sayings, but true words with esoteric value that jujutsu sorcerers must understand to truly tap into their powers.
Mahito had the technique of idle transfiguration, he gave junpei the ability to use his technique by manipulation his soul aka body/brain to be able to use cursed energy. The body is the soul, and the soul is the body- this was also exemplified when Toji was revived during the Shibuya Incident, literally his body with a heavenly restriction override the seance cursed technique of the grandma, causing him to be fully revived for a period of time.
“A Heavenly Gifted body strong enough to Overwrite the Soul.”
Toji was the biggest example of many within JJK that show how the body and the soul are entities of the same, existing in unity. The usage of the word “heavenly” here clearly implies an actual gift from the heavens, and that makes perfect sense when you couple this the fact that cursed energy is a power made from negative emotions. Wouldn’t the removal of that be “Heavenly”?
Yuki might think so... like she explained to Geto, all humans have cursed energy, but non sorcerers expend it out unknowingly creating curses, while jujutsu sorcerers’ cursed energy cycles through their body, allowing for usage. Toji and Maki however have absolutely none at all, giving them supernatural human abilities.
Is it a coincidence that people who entirely lack cursed energy at all are naturally stronger, faster and tougher than that of both sorcerer and non-sorcerer?
Kokichi Muta aka Mechamaru is the opposite example of someone like Toji. He was born with no legs, extremely sensitive skin that burns in sunlight, but in return he had a major output of cursed energy that spanned across Japan. This pain of not being able to live a human life but given an abundance of cursed energy is an obvious curse for Kokichi.
It was a forceful push into the life of jujutsu being given such an unfortunate restriction, but thats the key to the wording - “restrict”. To hold back, to limit. The common denominator for each of these different effects between the body and the soul is to restrict them based on them due to the heavens. Its a binding vow on your body and soul the day you are born, who else could do a heavenly contract with an unborn soul other than the Heavens themselves?
2. Tengen/Star Plasma Vessel/Six Eye
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The second piece of key evidence really is three but I decided to include them as one piece of information based on the bond of the fate the these three share; Master Tengen, A Star Plasma Vessel & the Six Eyes.
Master Tengen says this himself, making it clear that there is something more esoteric going on with these three entities. Specifically with Tengen and the Star Plasma Vessel, there is a clear theme going on with Tengen and the Heavens.
The evidence lies in his immortality.
Tengen’s cursed technique makes him immortal but after years go by he begins to lose his human form and become that a kin to a cursed spirit, becoming one with heaven and earth. This isn’t metaphorical, with all Kenjaku has been planning and the level of cautions Tengen is taking, he definitely is what he says he is. For Tengen to go back to a normal state he must merge with the Star Plasma Vessel, the only person he can merge unless he waits too long, then he can merge with anyone, losing his sense of self becoming one with the world.
What type of cursed technique gives someone immortality that eventually turns them into a curse that can merge with the consciousness of the world? Gojo said Cursed techniques are 80% inherent, meaning there’s an 80% chance Tengen’s technique was given to him at birth... but nothing about that technique sounds human.. if anything it sounds like something set up to destroy humanity, hence Kenjaku trying to use Tengen to expands cursed energy.
Enough about Tengen solely, why does he need a vessel called a Star Plasma Vessel? The choice of the name is very interesting, “Star”; an entity in the sky or heavens that shines bright, and “Plasma”; the fluid part of blood, lymph, or milk as distinguished from suspended material within the body. A literal Sun Body, or God body? Of course thats me putting my own metaphorical spin on the name, but it makes sense.
Oh yea, Tengen’s location is called the Tomb of the Star, so is Tengen the Star being referred to with this name..? That would be the obvious assumptions, and the theme of heavenly beings being symbolized as stars is nothing new to even modern day cultures... it is definitely something to think about.
Last but certainly not least is the Six Eyes. Specifically, these eyes are all seeing, being able to break down people’s cursed energy and their techniques. It also helps the user regulate their own cursed energy usage to an infinitesimal amount. The Six Eyes gives the user an extreme advantage that is unseen by the likes of anything else, and Gojo’s birth shifted the balance of power in the world, but the biggest thing for me that makes the “Heaven sent” theory concrete?
The Six Eyes look like a Sky.
I think the rest is obvious. Where do people look to when praying to the Heavens? Where do people say Gods reside? This to me makes it painfully clear that the Six Eyes matches into this theories motif perfectly, not to mention Gojo being given the narration “Between Heaven and Earth I am the Honored One” in tandem with Sukuna who is an ancient evil that has literally name dropped Yamamoto no Orochi as a once living curse, comparing it to General Mahoraga.
Side note: The mention of Orochi is a major point on its own but it felt better mixing it into this section instead of giving it its own.
So, there is no doubt in my mind that there is more to these things than Tengen is letting on, but we’ll have to see won’t we?
My third piece of evidence could be called a stretch and/or reach however, I personally feel like Gege Akutami has a certain method to his madness when it comes to characters and their techniques. Even down to characters who had very short roles like Junpei. What I mean by this is simply that the “Angel” or Hana Kurusu, could be a new piece of evidence for this theory that is a more obvious way of showing the relationship.
Personally, I’m hoping that Angel’s introduction will begin to cause some of these questions I have to be answered, starting with her explaining why she wants to be called “The Angel”, and I think its because she has the ability ton nullify cursed techniques. It makes perfect sense, a player who can negate cursed techniques, a power based on negative energy, likes to be called an Angel, a being from Heaven.
Back to Junpei, you could easily make a thematically and/or symbolical argument that his jellyfish Shikigami “Moon Dregs” was a representation of his own personality. Having this squish outside yet having dangerous stingers inside, with the Box Jellyfish specifically emits a poison them just like Moon Dregs, not a coincidence. So my instincts tell me that since Angel’s name and ability perfectly match the motifs of Heavenly Restriction, it just feels obvious she is more proof of the Higher power within Jujutsu Kaisen.
Also, remember the Inverted Spear of Heaven? The cursed tool that “killed” Gojo? Well, it has the ability to nullify all cursed techniques.. sounds just like Angel, as well has continuing the motif of “Heaven” and cancelling Cursed Energy.
Everything is so obvious yet spread a part to seem almost unconnected!
4. Buddhist themes through JJK/Essence of Cursed Energy
Jujutsu Kaisen is full of Buddhist themes, from the techniques, to the characters, down to the actual core values of the manga itself. The thing I want to specifically hone in on is the usage of actual buddhist terms such as “nirvana”, the place Tengen speculates Kenjaku is trying to take humanity by using the Culling Game.
What this means for my theory is simply the confirmation of “Nirvana” existing, and Nirvana is commonly used synonymously with Heaven. More importantly though, it is this idea of reaching “nirvana” that reminds me of Yuki’s goal of removing cursed energy from the human race, or at least beginning the path for it to happen. The essence of cursed energy lies in people’s earthly connections and ideals manifested negatively, continuing the cycle of rebirth for Curses. The idea of nirvana, at a very surface level, demands the removal of these connections, with continuous practices of generosity, and the other principles of the Eight Fold Path.
What I’m getting at here is that these Buddhist motifs being used in Jujutsu Kaisen are symbolic in their nature to add layers to the characters, but it also doubles as a way for Gege to show how these things are literal to a degree. Tengen began spreading Buddhism around Japan, and that became the backbone for the practices of jujutsu. Now, the students are not taught the teachings of the Buddhist beliefs, but that could also be a part of the decline in the average sorcerers understanding of jujutsu.
Side note: Remember, the entity with an immortality technique that turns him into a curse that can merge with heaven and earth started jujutsu teachings..
Jujutsu Kaisen is a series based in modern times, using loosely based historical facts to guide the lore of the world, down to the origins of the power system. If this doesn't mean we should take the things people see as fiction in our world as non-fiction within jujutsu Kaisen then I'm clearly just overthinking things!
What do you think about this theory and the origins of Cursed Energy in the world? Do you think we will ever get this information revealed? And if this is a curse from the heavens, why do you think they did it?
