Cursed energy is the power system of Jujutsu Kaisen, shaping every battle and defining the unique abilities of each sorcerer. From healing wounds to unleashing powerful domain expansions, cursed energy can be applied in many different ways. The great thing about cursed energy in Jujutsu Kaisen is that the rules of it apply to anyone; there are no exceptions, not even for Sukuna or Gojo.

In this guide, we break down the 22 major cursed energy applications, explain how they work, and give real examples of sorcerers who use them. Let’s dive right into it, and you find out why this is one of the most unique power systems in anime!

Cursed Energy Reinforcement

Cursed energy reinforcement is the process by which sorcerers distribute energy throughout their bodies to enhance their physical capabilities. This application boosts strength, speed, and overall durability, acting like an internal shield against strong attacks. When a Jujutsu sorcerer reinforces their body, they can endure forces that would crush ordinary humans.

For example, Yuji Itadori consistently uses reinforcement to stay in the fight even when facing curses far beyond human strength. Reinforcement is not just about protection but it also increases the impact of physical blows, making a punch or kick significantly more powerful. This foundational ability is often the first step in a sorcerer’s training, ensuring they survive in a world where every fight can mean life or death.

Cursed Energy Manipulation

Cursed energy manipulation involves the precise control and direction of energy to perform a variety of techniques effectively. Instead of letting energy leak out uncontrollably, skilled sorcerers learn to shape, channel, and conserve their resource. This refined control is essential to maximize technique strength while keeping the energy hidden from the enemy.

Kento Nanami is a master at manipulating his cursed energy. He adjusts the energy output in real time, allowing him to deliver his Ratio Technique with pinpoint accuracy. Efficient cursed energy manipulation not only improves offensive capabilities but also minimizes energy waste, ensuring that every move counts in the heat of battle.

Cursed Techniques

Cursed techniques are the driving force of each sorcerer, molded by their personal traits and the unique character of their cursed energy. Unlike raw energy reinforcement or manipulation, cursed techniques often define an individual’s fighting style and are integral to their identity. There are so many to choose from, like Toge’s cursed speech, blood manipulation, cursed spirit manipulation, idle transfiguration, and more!

Take Megumi Fushiguro’s Ten Shadows Technique, for instance. This ability lets him summon shikigami from his shadows, each with distinct abilities and combat roles. Developing a cursed technique usually requires extensive practice and insight into one’s own energy, making these abilities as much a personal art as they are a method of combat. Having a weak or strong cursed technique isn’t the most important, but the one who uses the technique is.

Reverse Cursed Technique

The Reverse Cursed Technique stands out as one of the most advanced and challenging cursed energy applications in Jujutsu Kaisen. It involves turning the inherently negative cursed energy into positive energy, primarily for healing purposes. This conversion works on the principle that two negatives get multiplied and make a positive. This is an idea that, while simple in concept, demands extraordinary control over one’s internal energy, and not even all Special-grade sorcerers can do.

Satoru Gojo is known to utilize the Reverse Cursed Technique to heal himself rapidly. After sustaining severe injuries from his battle against Toji Fushiguro, for example, he transformed negative energy into healing power. It also helps him preserve his energy to use his Six Eyes. Mastering the Reverse Cursed Technique is so complex that only a few sorcerers, like Yuta Okkotsu or Shoko Ieiri, can consistently perform it.

Domain Expansion

Domain Expansion is an advanced application where a sorcerer creates a personal, enclosed space that dramatically boosts their offensive and defensive capabilities. Once activated, the user’s techniques automatically hit within their domain, making it nearly impossible for opponents to evade.

Satoru Gojo’s Unlimited Void and Sukuna’s Malevolent Shrine serve as prime examples. These domains demonstrate how cursed energy output and manipulation are pushed to their limits. As a result, you have a closed space where the laws of normal combat no longer apply.

Domain Expansions not only demonstrate a sorcerer’s power but also their strategic depth, as using a domain effectively can decide the outcome of a battle in an instant. Each Domain Expansion of a sorcerer acts as a personal reflection of a sorcerer’s personality and abilities.

Black Flash

The Black Flash is a phenomenon in Jujutsu Kaisen that occurs when a sorcerer perfectly synchronizes a physical hit with the application of cursed energy within 0.000001 seconds. This precise timing results in a temporary, massive spike in attack power and is regarded as a mark of exceptional mastery. Only a handful of sorcerers can perform it, and only three sorcerers can perform it multiple times in a row. These sorceres are Yuji Itadori, Kento Nanami, and Satoru Gojo.

For instance, Yuji Itadori has achieved multiple Black Flashes during critical encounters, each instance leading to damage far beyond that of a standard attack. The rarity and difficulty of achieving a Black Flash make it a coveted skill among sorcerers, symbolizing how closely they harmonize with cursed energy flow.

Cursed Energy Output

Cursed energy output refers to the total amount of energy a sorcerer can produce and sustain during combat. High output is crucial for performing large-scale techniques and overwhelming opponents with brute force. The more energy a sorcerer can generate, the greater the potential for powerful attacks.

Yuta Okkotsu is an excellent example of this; him having high cursed energy reserves, allows him to fight against numerous high-grade curses simultaneously. However, output alone isn’t enough because efficient control of this energy is equally important, if not even more important.

Cursed Energy Flow

Cursed energy flow defines how smoothly and efficiently energy moves within a sorcerer’s body and through their techniques. A steady flow is a sign of great technique, ensuring that the energy is not wasted.

After overcoming her Heavenly Restrictions, Maki Zenin demonstrates near-perfect cursed energy flow, even though she lacks natural cursed energy. An uninterrupted flow is critical for executing difficult techniques and maintaining high levels of cursed energy control under pressure.

Cursed Energy Detection

Detection of cursed energy enables sorcerers to sense hidden curses, locate distant opponents, and gauge the strength of incoming attacks. This acute awareness is important to defensive strategies and aggressive combat.

Kento Nanami and Ryomen Sukuna are well-known for their ability to detect cursed energy with pinpoint accuracy, which allows them to quickly spot traps or lurking curses before they become a threat.

Cursed Energy Suppression

Cursed energy suppression involves intentionally hiding or minimizing the emission of cursed energy. This subtle technique is essential for battle, allowing sorcerers to operate without attracting unwanted attention from curses or rivals.

Toji Fushiguro is a master of this skill. Born with no detectable cursed energy due to his Heavenly Restrictions, he can move undetected by most sorcerers.

Cursed Energy Residuals

After techniques have been executed, remnants of cursed energy remain in the environment. These residuals can be analyzed by skilled sorcerers to track enemy movements or understand the impact of a previous battle.

Characters like Kento Nanami and Satoru Gojo frequently observe and analyze these traces. By reading these energy trails, sorcerers can predict where an opponent might reappear or identify if a recent technique has been countered.

Cursed Energy Imbuement

Cursed energy imbuement is the process of infusing objects, weapons, or tools with cursed energy to enhance their destructive power. This allows sorcerers to use normal weapons and turn them into powerful tools to fight against curses.

Maki Zenin is the best example. Although she has little natural cursed energy, she relies on cursed tools imbued with cursed energy. This application broadens the range of cursed energy usage in Jujutsu Kaisen and ensures that even sorcerers with limitations have powerful options at their disposal.

Cursed Energy Traits

Some sorcerers’ cursed energy in Jujutsu Kaisen displays unique characteristics or traits. These special properties may include unusual colors, textures, or effects that provide additional benefits or tactical advantages in combat.

For example, Special-Grade sorcerer Kinji Hakari’s cursed energy is known for its regenerative properties during his Idle Death Gamble. Such traits can amplify a sorcerer’s natural abilities, often providing unexpected strategies in the heat of battle.

Binding Vows

Binding Vows are self-imposed restrictions that sorcerers take on in exchange for significantly enhanced abilities. By accepting a limitation, they can unlock power boosts or unlock unique techniques at critical moments.

In Jujutsu Kaisen, Binding Vows are a risky but rewarding strategy. Sorcerers like those who practice specialized vows gain incredible advantages during combat, proving that sacrifice truly equals strength. These vows force sorcerers to balance their actions carefully, ensuring that every move carries a meaningful impact on their overall power.

Heavenly Restrictions

Heavenly Restrictions are natural conditions imposed on sorcerers from birth, which limit their cursed energy but compensate by giving them superior physical capabilities. This trade-off means that while they might lack the typical energy reserves for advanced techniques, they gain in areas like strength, speed, and resilience.

Toji Fushiguro and Maki Zenin perfectly exemplify this concept. Toji’s complete lack of cursed energy makes him undetectable, while Maki’s physical prowess skyrockets despite her minimal cursed energy. These restrictions illustrate that power in Jujutsu Kaisen doesn’t solely come from energy but also from raw physical talent.

Cursed Energy Projection

Cursed energy projection is the capability to launch energy outwards in the form of blasts, waves, or concentrated beams. This application expands a sorcerer’s combat options by allowing them to attack from a distance.

Great examples are two of the disaster curses, Jogo and Hanami, because they are curses that project violent energy blasts capable of causing massive destruction.

For sorcerers, mastering projection techniques is crucial to maintaining versatility in battle, combining both close-quarters combat and long-range attacks to keep opponents off balance.

Barrier Techniques

Barrier Techniques involve creating a defensive curtain-type barrier using cursed energy. These barriers can block attacks, trap opponents, or shield entire areas from cursed spirits. Unlike simple cursed energy reinforcement, barriers require a delicate balance of precise cursed energy control and structural design.

Satoru Gojo demonstrates an advanced form of barrier manipulation through his Infinity, which creates an invisible barrier that stops anything from directly touching him. Similarly, Tengen uses vast, complex barrier systems to protect Jujutsu High and maintain its hidden location.

Barrier Techniques are crucial for both offensive and defensive strategies, and mastering them separates ordinary sorcerers from true masters of cursed energy manipulation.

Anti-Domain Techniques

Anti-Domain Techniques are specialized methods used to defend against or counter an opponent’s Domain Expansion.

Since a domain guarantees that the user’s attacks hit, being caught inside is troublesome, unless the opponent’s Domain Expansion is stronger. This is why sorcerers developed Anti-Domain countermeasures to survive these powerful techniques.

One common anti-domain method is deploying a Simple Domain, which is a defensive measurement that neutralizes the auto-hit properties of a Domain Expansion.

Weaker fighters like Miwa use Simple Domains effectively to counter opponents much stronger than themselves.

Another method is pure physical speed and disruption, as seen with Toji Fushiguro, who could pierce domains with sheer unpredictable force. Mastering Anti-Domain Techniques is essential for anyone facing top-grade sorcerers in battle.

Maximum Techniques

Maximum Techniques are the highest form of attack a sorcerer can unleash, channeling their cursed energy into one big overwhelming move. These techniques are massive, consuming tremendous amounts of energy, and can turn the tide of battle, but they also leave the sorcerer vulnerable afterward.

Jogo’s Maximum: Meteor summons a massive fireball capable of devastating an entire city block, showing the terrifying power of a fully charged cursed technique. Because using a Maximum Technique can drain a fighter’s reserves, it’s often treated as a last resort or final gambit during battles.

Cursed Technique Reversal

Cursed Technique Reversal is different from the Reverse Cursed Technique used for healing. Instead of generating positive energy, Cursed Technique Reversal alters a cursed technique’s effect, essentially flipping its function.

Satoru Gojo’s “Blue” is a prime example. By reversing his Limitless technique, instead of stopping or nullifying forces, he creates a vacuum that pulls matter inward. The Cursed Technique Reversal is rare and requires both deep understanding and incredible cursed energy control.

Cursed Energy Attributes

Cursed Energy Attributes are the unique qualities that different sorcerers’ cursed energy can possess. For example, Jogo’s cursed energy, infused with the element of fire, makes all his attacks burn hotter than ordinary cursed techniques.

Similarly, Kinji Hakari’s cursed energy enhances his body’s healing ability, granting him near-immortality during Idle Death Gamble. Recognizing and refining cursed energy attributes allows a sorcerer to utilize innate traits more effectively.

Cursed Tools

Cursed Tools in Jujutsu Kaisen are special weapons imbued with cursed energy, made to fight curses and other sorcerers. Some cursed tools are legendary artifacts, while others require constant cursed energy maintenance by the wielder.

Maki Zenin, for example, after fully awakening her Heavenly Restriction, relies almost entirely on cursed tools like the Split Soul Katana to match and defeat powerful opponents.

Toji Fushiguro also famously used cursed tools like the Playful Cloud, Chain of a Thousand Miles, and the Inverted Spear of Heaven, which is a weapon that could nullify cursed techniques entirely.

Cursed Tools boost the intensity of a battle, allowing sorcerers with little or no cursed energy to compete against the strongest fighters and win.