In ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’, few villains are more universally hated than Mahito, the humanoid cursed spirit. His detestable nature is one of the reasons why he can be one of the toughest characters to watch, with his presence in a scene often bringing discomfort. Mahito, however, proves to be very important to the underlying message of ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’, especially as the story unfolds with Yuji Itadori. Although other villains, like Geto and Sukuna, bring forth sympathy or an air of fascination with their backstories and charisma, Mahito is the darkness within humanity and an anti example of the themes explored within the series regarding self-worth and purpose.
As mentioned by ScreenRant, on its core, ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ revolves around societal roles, obligations, and finding meaning for the self. Series exploration of personal happiness versus an individuals’ responsibilities in society reflects in character development such as Geto, questioning how sorcerer’s fit and, Nanami, struggling into societal norms since becoming a human sorcerer. Through including Mahito as a vessel which represents negativity in the minds of humankind, Jujutsu Kaisen branches out into conversations based on more than human topics which explore that entity’s worldview for humanity as well as how they think of self.
Mahito’s purpose as an evil spirit is simple: to cause harm, representing humanity’s negative energy. But Mahito evolves and looks at his role in different terms, trying to perfect humanity through destruction. He wants to be the perfect human, considering himself as a product of human defects and trying to transcend them. This urge to become and refine humanity turns Mahito into a tragic figure, seeking validation from those he considers great: Sukuna and Kenjaku.
Ironically, Mahito’s fixation on paternal validation shares the struggles of the protagonists Yuji and Megumi, who have unstable or even absent paternal figures. Yuji’s father, the reincarnated twin of Sukuna, is gone, and his mother has been consumed by Kenjaku. Megumi never knew his father because Gojo killed him. While they don’t have any traditional fathers to seek validation from, Megumi and Yuji never search for other people’s approval. Yuji especially abhors the concept of finding a predetermined place in life because Gojo wants the next generation to find their strength rather than living under his shadow.
Yuji’s revelation in chapter 265 that the value of life lies not in fulfilling a specific role or leaving a concrete legacy, but in the smaller ways one influences the world, stands in direct contrast to Mahito’s pursuit of validation through destruction. Mahito’s downfall is a tragic reminder that seeking meaning through the approval of others, especially paternal figures, leads to emptiness. ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ ultimately shows that one should find meaning within himself rather than through external validation.
In his last breath, Mahito’s desperate scream that he is “the last unruly child” marks his inability to grow without the approval of his “fathers.” His fate becomes a symbolic representation of the hell that comes from relying on others for one’s sense of self-worth. ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ closes with the message that while others can offer guidance, true meaning in life must come from within.
