Jujutsu Kaisen: Higuruma's Courtroom Domain May Challenge Sukuna in Season 3

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 8 shows Hiromi Higuruma's new powers. His courtroom domain could be a new way to fight powerful sorcerers like Sukuna.
By Newsroom | Anime, Jujutsu Kaisen |

The recent appearance of Hiromi Higuruma in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Episode 8, has ignited significant discussion among fans and analysts regarding his potential to challenge the formidable sorcerer Sukuna. Higuruma, a former lawyer, wields a unique cursed technique tied to judicial proceedings, manifesting as a courtroom within his Domain Expansion. This introduction marks a notable development in the ongoing narrative, as it presents a character whose abilities and methodology differ greatly from those previously encountered.

Narrative Unfolding and Character Introduction

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Episode 8, which premiered following a brief hiatus, formally introduced Hiromi Higuruma to the unfolding events. His arrival has been anticipated, with previous episodes, like the seventh, only mentioning his name. Higuruma's transition from a lawyer to a Grade 1 sorcerer occurred with unusual speed, reaching this rank within twelve days of awakening his powers. This rapid ascent and his unique background as an attorney, where he championed the wrongfully accused, inform the nature of his cursed technique.

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The narrative frames Higuruma's entry as a pivotal moment, with some sources suggesting it marks "where the game truly begins." The episode's preview highlighted his role in passing judgment, a preview further accompanied by a new character visual. This strategic introduction is set against the backdrop of the "Culling Game" arc, which features a battle royale-style conflict and the introduction of new characters.

Higuruma's Cursed Technique and Domain Expansion

Higuruma's cursed technique is intrinsically linked to his legal profession. His Domain Expansion, known as "The Deadly Sentencing" or "The Courtroom," creates an enclosed space where a trial is conducted by a figure called "Judgeman."

  • Trial Commencement: Upon activation, both Higuruma and his opponent are placed in the domain and face Judgeman, initiating a trial.

  • Confiscation and Verdict: Judgeman's role is to determine guilt or innocence. Depending on the outcome, Higuruma can either present a rebuttal or directly enforce Judgeman's verdict. This process can result in the confiscation of an opponent's cursed technique or cursed energy.

  • Domain Amplification: Higuruma also possesses the ability of "Domain Amplification," which allows him to create a barrier around his body, effectively an anti-domain measure. This can extend his domain over himself.

  • Gavel as a Weapon: His fighting style incorporates a giant gavel, a tool central to his courtroom-themed abilities.

This unique set of abilities, particularly the capacity to nullify cursed techniques through judicial verdicts, is the basis for speculation about his potential against Sukuna.

Potential Against Sukuna: A Probing Question

The core of the discussion revolves around whether Higuruma's unique abilities offer a viable countermeasure to Sukuna's overwhelming power.

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  • Weakening Sukuna: Some analyses propose that Higuruma's Domain Expansion and the associated "Anti-Domain" technique have the potential to weaken Sukuna. The ability to confiscate cursed techniques, if successfully applied, could disrupt Sukuna's formidable offensive capabilities.

  • Trial Mechanism: The very nature of Higuruma's domain, which forces a trial, presents a fundamentally different kind of engagement than brute force confrontations. Could Sukuna's actions and history be used against him within this judicial framework?

  • A New Paradigm: Higuruma's approach signifies a departure from direct power-against-power confrontations. His methodology, rooted in law and judgment, introduces a strategic element that has not been directly tested against Sukuna. The question remains whether this procedural advantage can overcome Sukuna's raw power and experience.

Conflicting Motivations and Alliances

Higuruma's personal motivations and interactions with other characters add layers to his role.

  • Yuji's Guilt: Higuruma's own past experiences with perceived injustices, where clients were found guilty despite evidence of innocence, seem to resonate with Yuji Itadori's feelings of guilt, even for crimes he did not commit. This shared emotional ground might foster a complex relationship between them.

  • Desire for Power and Punishment: Higuruma appears to value the power to immediately punish those who break rules, a sentiment stemming from his frustrations as a lawyer. This contrasts with Yuji's own trajectory and sense of responsibility.

  • Potential Alliances: Characters like Reggie have recognized Higuruma's strength and sought alliances. However, his stated goals and methods also put him at odds with others, as seen in his conflict with Yuji, driven by their differing objectives.

Expert Commentary and Fan Reception

The introduction of Higuruma has been met with considerable excitement.

"Higuruma’s newly-awakened cursed technique, explained. Although Higuruma is a freshly-awakened sorcerer, he has already grasped the basics of barrier techniques, which have allowed him to better understand and control his cursed energy." - Polygon

"The biggest reason fans are excited about Episode 8 is the long-awaited arrival of Hiromi Higuruma." - VVIP Times

The anticipation for Episode 8 was amplified by a delay, with a recap episode airing in its place. The consensus is that Higuruma's arrival significantly raises the stakes and injects fresh dynamics into the narrative.

Conclusion: Uncharted Territory Against Sukuna

The arrival of Hiromi Higuruma presents a novel challenge to Sukuna's established dominance within the Jujutsu Kaisen narrative. His Domain Expansion, which imposes a judicial trial, offers a distinct pathway for engagement that relies on judgment and consequence rather than pure destructive force. While the exact efficacy of his abilities against a foe as powerful as Sukuna remains a subject of ongoing speculation and narrative development, Higuruma's unique powers and his rapid ascent as a sorcerer mark him as a significant new player. The dynamic between his judicial approach, Yuji's complex emotional state, and Sukuna's history sets the stage for future confrontations that could redefine the power balance. The narrative's progression will reveal whether Higuruma's courtroom can truly pass sentence on the King of Curses.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When did Hiromi Higuruma appear in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3?
Hiromi Higuruma was formally introduced in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Episode 8. This episode showed his unique cursed technique and its potential.
Q: What is Hiromi Higuruma's cursed technique and Domain Expansion?
Higuruma's cursed technique is based on his lawyer background. His Domain Expansion, 'The Deadly Sentencing,' creates a courtroom where a trial decides guilt. If found guilty, he can take away the opponent's cursed technique or energy.
Q: Can Higuruma's abilities defeat Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen?
Fans are discussing if Higuruma's unique judicial powers can challenge Sukuna. His ability to confiscate cursed techniques through a trial offers a different way to fight, but it's not yet confirmed if it's strong enough.
Q: Why is Higuruma's introduction important for the Jujutsu Kaisen story?
Higuruma's arrival is seen as a major turning point. His judicial approach is very different from other sorcerers, and it introduces new strategic possibilities in the fight against powerful curses like Sukuna.
Q: What is Higuruma's background and motivation?
Higuruma was a lawyer who became a Grade 1 sorcerer very quickly. He seems driven by a strong sense of justice and the desire to punish those who break rules, possibly related to his past experiences with unfair trials.