Jujutsu Kaisen is filled with pivotal moments that significantly alter the course of the story. Initially, these moments may seem minor, but their true significance becomes apparent as the series progresses. Whether a character is directly involved or not, the impact of these events resonates for a long time.
A key figure in this narrative is undoubtedly Toji Fushiguro. Despite being an outcast from his own clan and taking on the role of a hired assassin, his crucial participation in the Hidden Inventory arc of Jujutsu Kaisen significantly influenced the unfolding of the entire story. Let’s explore the reasons behind Toji’s importance and how he might have emerged triumphant in his confrontation with Gojo and Geto.
The Importance Of Toji Fushiguro
The One To Forge His Own Path
Toji first appeared in the Hidden Inventory arc as the main villain for young Gojo and Geto. He was expelled from the Zenin clan because he was born without a Cursed Technique. However, this absence granted him a Heavenly Restriction, enhancing his physical abilities beyond anyone else’s, as he lacked any Cursed Energy in his body. Additionally, his senses and reflexes were exceptionally heightened.
In this storyline, Toji was contracted by the Time Vessel Association to eliminate Riko Amanai, a task aimed at aiding Master Tengen’s evolution. This mission was no easy feat for the Sorcerer Killer, as Riko was under the protection of Gojo and Geto, the two most powerful sorcerers in existence. Nevertheless, the renowned assassin managed to fulfill his mission by seemingly taking down Gojo, effortlessly overpowering Geto, and ultimately assassinating Riko.
You, with all your blessings, lost to a monkey like me who can’t even use Jujutsu.
Arguably, this was the defining moment in Jujutsu Kaisen. Toji’s overconfidence gave Gojo the opportunity to discover Reverse Cursed Technique and Cursed Technique Reversal, elevating him to the status of the strongest sorcerer in the world. This also resulted in Geto feeling disconnected and simmering with rage, which drove him into villainy and ultimately led to the storyline of Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
Gojo and Geto underwent a significant shift in their beliefs regarding how to treat non-sorcerers, which turned them into adversaries. Geto aimed to either evolve or eliminate all non-sorcerers, while Gojo recognized that his unique power came with the responsibility to safeguard them. After Gojo was compelled to take Geto’s life, Kenjaku discovered the body and seized his Cursed Technique, setting off the chain of events in Jujutsu Kaisen, all due to Toji’s influence.
How Toji Could Have Walked Away
The Internal Battle Within Him
Toji and Gojo encountered a similar issue when they first crossed paths: their overconfidence. Gojo, with his inheritance of the Limitless Cursed Technique and the Six Eyes, had extraordinary control and comprehension of Cursed Energy. Meanwhile, Toji had established himself as the Sorcerer Killer, known for taking down every target he faced.
During their first clash, Toji’s Heavenly Restriction clearly outmatched Gojo, resulting in an easy victory for Toji. He delivered a fierce final blow, stabbing Gojo in a way that would have killed most. Overconfident, Toji walked away, leaving Gojo’s mind intact. This mistake proved crucial, as it gave Gojo the opportunity to unlock Reverse Cursed Energy, which helped him heal and discover a new method of utilizing Limitless.
Toji’s situation was more complex than simply finishing his contract; he was dealing with a noticeable inner turmoil. After being ousted from the Zenin clan due to his lack of Cursed Energy, he began to harbor resentment towards those who possessed it. Thus, his clash with Gojo was not just about completing a job; it was an unconscious struggle to assert his dominance over sorcerers, a reaction to the rejection he faced.
He aimed to show the world that no matter how powerful a sorcerer you are, defeat is always possible, especially in light of the Zenin clan’s treatment of him. Unfortunately, no one was around to witness his struggle. His hasty departure from Gojo ultimately led to his undoing, a fact that Gojo pointed out at the beginning of their second encounter. Confident in his victory over Gojo and believing he had surpassed Cursed Energy, he neglected to address the uncertainties surrounding Gojo’s survival.
The reason you’re going to lose is because you didn’t chop my head off!
With his extensive knowledge of Cursed Energy, Toji understood that the brain was central to its power. To ensure Gojo couldn’t recover, he should have decapitated him, cutting off any possibility of healing through Cursed Energy. If he had taken that step, he would have walked away as the victor, able to do as he wished, with the only person who could challenge him dead at his feet.
Still, this would merely drag Toji further into a realm of depravity and loneliness. Following Gojo’s return, Toji lost his life, but he entrusted Megumi to his foe, hoping his son would become a better person than he was. When he returned during the Shibuya Incident, it was only after encountering Megumi that he could fully realize his character development, understanding in his last moments that he had made the right choice in leaving his son with Gojo. Therefore, this fulfillment of his character arc could indicate that Toji experienced some form of redemption.