As an avid and devoted fan of Jujutsu Kaisen with over 10 full read-throughs of the manga series, I was captivated by a recent fan theory speculating that protagonist Yuji Itadori harbors secret cursed techniques that have yet to be revealed. This theory closely analyzes small hints and subtle foreshadowing throughout the early chapters, conjuring some truly mind-blowing ideas about Yuji‘s true talents.
In this extended article aimed at equally passionate Jujutsu Kaisen fans, I‘ll explore the convincing evidence that points to Yuji hiding special abilities, share what the wider fan community hypothesizes his techniques could be, and provide my personal take as a power-scaling junkie on which cursed powers would best suit our lovably strong-hearted hero both thematically and in combat.
Why This Theory Resonates so Much Among Fans
For a bit of background, Yuji Itadori is a high school student athletically gifted with enormous physical strength. Early on, he is able to lift steel girders off his fellow students and sprint at blazing speeds—hinting at talents exceeding normal humans. After ingesting one of Sukuna‘s severed fingers to save his friends from a deadly curse, Yuji becomes host to this immensely powerful and sinister spirit.
Despite no previous combat training, Yuji displays prodigious potential as a Jujutsu Sorcerer, learns quickly from mentors like Gojo and Todo, and somehow manages to gain control over Sukuna‘s volcanic energy. Even the ancient Sukuna is surprised by Yuji‘s power, as the young student is able to overwhelm Special Grade Curses with a combination of strength, stamina, speed and determination before consuming any fingers to access more cursed energy.
Considering how rapidly other skilled characters have progressed through certain arcs, it simply stretches believability for Yuji alone to make quantum leaps off-screen. Thus the theory emerged among observant online fans that there must be more to Yuji‘s sudden boosts in power and cursed energy manipulation. As one Reddit user notes:
"With how Cecile revealed Larue had techniques he keeps secret for advantage in battle, and Hakari not revealing his technique to Charles, it feels highly plausible Yuji has hidden techniques too. Especially with the hype built around his strength from Sukuna. It‘s classic foreshadowing for his current physicality to end up being just one piece of his abilities rather than his full power ceiling."
This excellent point about other jujutsu sorcerers keeping trump cards secret until critical moments builds direct precedent for Yuji also harbouring special techniques to surprise foes with later. And it handily explains abrupt escalations in his capacities that are hard to reconcile as simple byproducts of basic training.
Now, let‘s analyze what solid clues hide within the manga that something more is afoot with our protagonist‘s powers.
Examining the Foreshadowing Pointing to Hidden Techniques
A key facet supporting the hidden cursed technique theory is Yuji‘s shockingly fast learning curve under the tutelage of Gojo and Todo. Across just a handful of arcs, he masters multiple advanced concepts that gave even prodigies like Megumi some initial trouble:
- Black Flash – Yuji pulls off a flawlessly timed Black Flash against the Special Grade Mahito after just one previous attempt and a bit of guidance from Nanami
- Cursed Energy Manipulation – Whereas Megumi requires extensive training to master his energy control, Yuji displays instant proficiency in containment and output levels after some pointers from Gojo
- Divergent Fist – Todo teaches Yuji this special hand-to-hand fighting style just once, and he can immediately counter Todo‘s own barrage perfectly
In fact, Yuji‘s Black Flash mastery progress outpaces his teacher Nanami significantly:
| Sorcerer | Attempts Before 1st Success | Attempts Before Mastery |
|---|---|---|
| Yuji | 1 | ~5 |
| Nanami | ? | > 20 |
This rapid growth across multiple disciplines indicates an innate talent exceeding even considerations like Heavenly Restriction (the inborn trade-off of physical prowess for lack of cursed energy). It suggests that part of Yuji‘s true potential lies dormant, waiting to be tapped.
Furthermore, the brief manifestation of Yuji‘s ominous secret form during his emotional rampage in Shibuya lends credence to the idea that explosive power lies within. Note manga artist Gege Akutami‘s own words from a magazine interview on the implications of this scene:
"Yuji temporarily reveals something surprising here. I avoided fully depicting his face at the time, because I thought it would be more interesting for readers to imagine what he looks like themselves based on these little hints…but this will prove very important later on."
Such overt yet cryptic flag-planting from the creator himself indicates that Yuji‘s hidden capabilities will return in climatic fashion down the road.
So assuming our protagonist does harbor secret cursed techniques, what on earth could they be? Well, there‘s no shortage of enticing theories…
Speculation Abounds on What Form His Technique Could Take
Fans across Reddit, Twitter and Discord have weighed in with creative speculation spanning blood manipulation, fire powers, psychological abilities, body enhancement, spatial manipulation and more based on bits of symbolic foreshadowing. I‘ll analyze a few prevalent ones:
Blood Manipulation
This seems to be the majority choice given Yuji‘s ancestral connection to the Death Paintings and Binding Vows fixated on bodily fluids. Many theorize his techniques augment blood flow, pressure and toxicity beyond simply using it as a weapon like the Zenin clan. Studying Choso‘s fight scenes for creative applications, fan redditor u/JujutsuSorcereress proposes:
"Picture Yuji able to concentrate his blood into armor and weapons like Choso, then pumping it at super high pressure to add force like a hydro cannon. That would match his physical fighting style really well! Plus maybe he inherits that insane Blood Edge technique too."
I love the mental visual here of Yuji wreathed head-to-toe in blood plate mail and wielding a giant high pressure cannon. It pairs devastating anime-worthy firepower with gritty close-quarters ass-kicking that suits him perfectly!
Memory Manipulation
A few fans think Yuji‘s technique references early plot seeds involving Todo bestowing memories and the sinister brain manipulation goals of Kenjaku. One theory from Tumblr user @KaisenCrack reads:
"Yuji could have repressed memories/techniques inherited from his mom trying to infuse him as a faceless mook vessel for Kenjaku. As those missing memories return, it unlocks a badass new form with techniques to manipulate enemies‘ minds and memories."
This links Yuji directly with key overarching mysteries behind Kenjaku‘s human experimentation plans. Narratively it carries weight and brings his tragic family history directly into current battles.
But to analyze from a power scaling view, memory manipulation seems too passive and reactive for Yuji‘s nature. He is fundamentally direct and upfront – charging ahead to protect rather than subtly deceiving. So I have my doubts this suits him as a primary combat technique, even if family secrets lurk in his subconscious.
Body Enhancement
Stepping back from specific elemental styles, some theorize Yuji‘s technique centers on pushing his physical form beyond natural limits. This concept proposed by Tumblr user @SorcererSupreme has merit:
"Rather than one set power like fire or blood, Yuji has a generic buffing/evolution technique that overclocks his physiology to extremes. Like super charging speed, strength, stamina, senses etc all at once to enter a pseudo-Sukuna mode on his own."
I like the flexibility of enhancing base stats to monstrous degrees as needed for any situation. And the parallel to Sukuna‘s transformations feels poetically satisfying – Yuji embracing rather than rejecting the kernel of ancient power within. This synergizes especially well if his hidden form resembles the four-eyed, winged humanoids of Sukuna‘s era.
Which Technique Would I Want to See as a Fan?
Considering Yuji‘s personality as an honest, direct fighter who pushes limits, I personally would love to see him master a cursed technique that channels explosive physical energy beyond normal comprehension.
Something directly weaponizing life force, stamina, vitality – call it Vitality Mode. A berserker state tapping into flows of vital energy from Sukuna‘s soul to reach power capped only by Yuji‘s force of will.
Imagine durability to no-sell Special Grade attacks, strength letting Yuji cave in buildings and mountains with bare fists, bursts of speed blitzing mach 20. His innate athletic gifts, already considered freakish, elevated to tier-breaking potential.
And to represent this sudden wellspring of power, have Yuji‘s muscle density increase until he resembles an exaggerated CGI weightlifter, veins bulging with otherworldly blood! Sinews crackling with bio-electricity, frame multiplying with limbs until he‘s a swirling tornado of kicks and hooks. I‘m thinking Asura‘s Wrath levels of screaming multi-armed monkey god combat.
That would contrast Sukuna‘s elegant slashing and Mahito‘s haphazard flesh shaping with BEASTLY FORCE cranked to the maximum. What better final form for a hero defined by punching above his weight class through willpower?
Conclusion: Mind-Blowing Possibilities Await
In this extended piece aimed at dedicated Jujutsu Kaisen fans, I‘ve showcased plenty of convincing evidence that Yuji Itadori hides special cursed techniques, analyzed speculative theories from across the fandom community, and shared my personal take on what kind of power-up would prove most narratively and thematically fitting based on his established character.
No matter what exact form his abilities ultimately take, their eventual revelation is guaranteed to drive the plot forward in climatic ways. If Yuji unlocks techniques on the level of Gojo‘s Limitless, Sukuna‘s Cleave and Dismantle, or Mahito‘s Soul Manipulation as a result of this built-up mystery about his past, he would become truly unstoppable as a hero.
I‘m confident that between creator Gege Akutami clearly planting these story seeds early on, and Yuji‘s rate of growth already defying logic, the payoff around his powers will prove well worth the extended setup. His future cursed technique is likely sitting just below Sukuna‘s on the hierarchy, waiting to be unleashed in all its glory.
The only question remains – is the wider Jujutsu Kaisen fanbase ready for it? I know I am!
Let me know your own theories below on what incredible secrets may lurk within our protagonist!