Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime (and manga) that brilliantly depicts the clash of ideals between extremists and reformers. Jujutsu magicians seek to protect humanity and remove curses using cursed techniques, while those who use curses and curses aim to wipe out humanity.
Curses, or cursed souls, are born from negative human emotions. This series does a great job of illustrating the consequences of uncontrolled human emotions, which, like curses, are much more complicated than they appear.
Jujutsu practitioners usually encounter cursed spirits that pose a minimal threat, like dragonflies. However, there are exceptions, such as Jogo, Mahito, Dagon, and Rika, who possess catastrophic and terrifying abilities that can take the lives of both mages and non-mages. Among these terrifying figures is the God General Mahoraga.
Mahoraga and the Ten Shadow Technique Debut: Megumi Fushiguro's Power Unleashed in Jujutsu Kaisen Part 2
Mahoraga was officially introduced in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Episode 17, when Megumi Fushiguro faced what seemed like a one-sided battle with Haruta Shigemo. The tide turned when Megumi used her Ten Shadow Technique to summon Mahoraga, gaining a crucial advantage in an already hopeless situation.
Every jujutsu master has a unique ability, but there are three major clans that are known for their superior abilities. The most powerful clans are the Gojo, Kamo, and Zenin clans, each possessing unique abilities that set them apart from the others. Similar to Kekkei Genkai, these abilities are inherited through the bloodline of each clan. However, not everyone born into these clans inherits their bloodline abilities.
Megumi has survived many near-death experiences thanks to the use of the Ten Shadow Technique he inherited. This technique allows him to summon up to ten different shikigami using darkness as a medium. Throughout Jujutsu Kaisen, Megumi can be seen using his ferocious shikigami formation in creative ways.
Megumi can combine the abilities of his shikigami to create new and powerful extensions of the Ten Shadow Technique. For example, he combined the abilities of his Nue and his toad to create the Nameless Abyss of the Well. With such versatile abilities, it is no surprise that the Zenin clan is highly regarded by jujutsu practitioners.
However, these shikigami are not easily bestowed upon Ten Shadows users. While successors are granted two Divine Dogs upon inheriting this ability, Ten Shadows mages must subdue other shikigami through a process known as the Subjugation Ritual in order to control them.
Mahoraga's Dual Nature: Megumi Fushiguro's Dangerous Summoning and Sukuna's Timely Intervention in Jujutsu Kaisen
Mahoraga, although classified as a shikigami, resembles a cursed spirit in appearance and abilities. The difference between a cursed spirit and a shikigami is that a cursed spirit acts of its own volition, while a shikigami obeys the orders of the magician who summoned it.
An untamed shikigami is the exception to this rule, as they tend to attack anyone within their range, including the mage who summoned them. This is demonstrated in the fight between Megumi and Shigemo.
During the aforementioned battle, Megumi summoned the Divine General Mahoraga through the Subjugation Ritual as a last resort when she was targeted by Shigemo and dragged him into the ritual.
Immediately after being summoned, Mahoraga actually and symbolically knocked Megumi into a state of suspended animation, then moved to eliminate Shigemo, which would end the ritual and Megumi's life. Despite the cursed circumstances, Sukuna intervened in time to save Megumi.
Mastering the Ritual of Subjugation: The Battle for Control of the Ten Shadows Witches and Mahoraga's Role in the Shibuya Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen
The subjugation ritual is a procedure that a Ten Shadows mage must undergo to gain control of each shikigami they can summon. To successfully complete the ritual, the mage must engage in one-on-one combat with the summoned shikigami and exorcise it.
If they do not do so, they cannot obtain the shikigami. However, the shaman can summon the shikigami an unlimited number of times to tame it, which is one of the advantages of the ritual.
Ten Shadows witches are allowed to perform the ritual with multiple people. However, performing the subjugation ritual with others will nullify the subsequent ritual. Despite this drawback, a witch may choose to perform the ritual with others to destroy a more powerful opponent, which can be beneficial to the witch but also poses significant risks.
During the Shibuya Arc, Satoru Gojo reveals to Megumi via flashback that the previous heads of the Gojo and Zenin clans engaged in a war that ended in mutual destruction. It is implied that the former Ten Shadows user initiated the Subjugation Ritual, summoning a powerful shikigami to turn the tide of battle against the previous Six Eyes user, resulting in both their deaths.
The Shikigami with enough power to subdue the owner of the Six Eyes is none other than the Divine General Mahoraga.
Mahoraga: The unstoppable Shikigami of Jujutsu Kaisen known for his overwhelming power and catastrophic strength
Mahoraga is notorious for being the shikigami that no previous Ten Shadows mage has been able to tame, and this is not without good reason. Mahoraga has defeated many skilled opponents, including a Six Eyes user. His overwhelming power, combined with his ability to adapt to any situation, makes him virtually unstoppable. There are very few known mages or curses that can stand against Mahoraga and survive.
Mahoraga has a very different appearance compared to Megumi's other shikigami, resembling some special level curses in Jujutsu Kaisen, while other shikigami look like animals. The attributes that set Mahoraga apart from Megumi's other shikigami are not limited to his appearance; his abilities are also very different.
Mahoraga's footsteps can leave footprints on concrete, and the force of one of his blows can kill a victim on impact. With just a little effort, this shikigami can send his victim flying, and the damage he causes is catastrophic.
During the Shibuya Arc, Mahoraga struck Sukuna with his blade, and although it seemed to have no effect on Sukuna, the ground below them shattered, along with all the glass on the surrounding buildings.
If that wasn't a testament to Mahoraga's power, he didn't even need to touch his target to make an impact. During Mahoraga and Sukuna's battle in Shibuya, both of them swung at the air between them, sending them crashing into the buildings behind them.
Mahoraga can also use aerial attacks in a variety of ways. When fighting Sukuna, he inhaled and exhaled a powerful gust of wind that sent Sukuna crashing into buildings. Picking up cars and throwing them like bean bags is another testament to his power.
Shikigami with the sword of destruction and the eight-armed wheel, a true destructive power and adaptability
With the immense power Mahoraga already possesses, one might not expect him to have additional weapons, but he does. Mahoraga wields the Sword of Destruction, and true to its name, it fulfills its purpose.
The sword is imbued with positive energy similar to the energy generated when using the reverse curse technique. If Mahoraga strikes a cursed soul with this sword, that soul will be destroyed on contact.
Mahoraga's final and arguably most valuable ability is the Eight-Handed Wheel on his head. This wheel represents the perfect cycle and harmony. In numerology, the number eight represents balance and is associated with the infinity symbol. As the wheel spins, it allows Mahoraga to perceive techniques used against him and retaliate with cursed energy, allowing him to adapt to any situation.
The Wheel also grants Mahoraga the ability to regenerate, which proves to be crucial in his battle with the King of Curses. During this disastrous battle that devastated an entire city, Sukuna used his domain, the Malevolent Shrine, and then used Fuga before Mahoraga could fully regenerate to defeat him.
Mahoraga's adaptability, raw strength, and deadly sword make him a formidable opponent. His presence in Jujutsu Kaisen shows the potential for a mage to challenge Satoru Gojo, the world's strongest mage.