Mahito's excess spelled his doom at Yuji's hand in Jujutsu Kaisen, and it makes for a fitting end

Mahito from Jujutsu Kaisen is widely disliked by the fandom—and for good reason. A uniquely created character, the Cursed Spirit is one of the series' most diabolical and twisted entities. Unlike others like Kenjaku, Jogo, or Hanami, Mahito did not have a specific goal in mind. Rather, he was driven solely by his desire to derive pleasure from tormenting and torturing humans.

He made an enemy of the protagonist, Yuji Itadori, specifically taking an interest in attempting to break the boy's spirit. Among his misdeeds was that he killed Kento Nanami before the teen's eyes. However, Mahito ultimately lost to Yuji, with Nanami playing a crucial role in his defeat. Mahito went overboard in toying with the sorcerer, and that spelled his doom in the end.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion.

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Jujutsu Kaisen: Mahito's excess was fittingly his ultimate doom

Mahito was running amok during the Shibuya Incident in Jujutsu Kaisen. It wasn't long before he stumbled upon a half-burned Nanami, who was already on his last legs. The sorcerer had fought Dagon and had subsequently sustained major injuries at the hands of Jogo. Yet, he continued onward, eventually spotting Mahito and readying for battle.

Realizing the situation, Mahito sent a number of transfigured humans to attack the sorcerer. But Nanami, somehow, stood firm and cut down many of them before Yuji arrived. However, the boy's arrival may have been just seconds too late to save his mentor, as Mahito swooped in, reshaped Nanami's soul, and killed him right before Yuji's eyes.

This moment marked the beginning of Mahito's downfall in Jujutsu Kaisen. His battle with Yuji ultimately ended with the latter overpowering him (despite Mahito achieving a new form). What made this even more intriguing was the moment he realized he no longer had a supply of transfigured humans to save him. They had been deployed to take down Nanami, who instead cut them all down.

Mahito (Image via MAPPA)

This was a clear testament to how Mahito's excesses sealed his fate during the Shibuya Incident. Prior to this, the Cursed Spirit had always managed to escape or pull a rabbit from the hat to somehow clinch victory. But this time, he was out of Cursed Energy and options—his Domain was burnt out, Yuji had breached his new form, and his only source of aid (transfigured humans) was also exhausted.

Mahito’s eventual defeat in Jujutsu Kaisen was mainly fueled by his own hubris. His deep-seated sense of manipulation and domination made him view humans as playthings. From what was seen, his overconfidence boiled over when he killed Nanami before Yuji. While it did break Yuji, it ultimately galvanized the boy's resolve.

Moreover, Mahito's arrogance caused him to underestimate a dying Nanami, who fought back to his last breath. In the end, the Curse was backed into a corner with no escape. All the tools in his arsenal had failed him. In particular, his stock of transfigured human shields had been exhausted. He was trapped in a battle that he believed had already been won.

Ultimately, it was this very excess—his overflowing confidence and blind self-belief—that led to his eventual loss.

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Final thoughts

Mahito (Image via MAPPA)

Mahito’s defeat in Jujutsu Kaisen can be described as "poetic"—a consequence of his unchecked arrogance. As seen by his character, he had no purpose apart from inflicting pain and suffering. While this made him dangerous, it also made him reckless. Though he killed Nanami, he also exhausted a potential escape option. After that, Yuji was determined to exorcise him, regardless.

Such overconfidence clouded Mahito's judgment and left him vulnerable at the worst of times. As mentioned, he gravely underestimated Nanami, who was on his last legs, yet he still had fight left in him. By the end, Mahito had no more tricks up his sleeve. It was a fitting end for a character who so easily danced around death, yet experienced his own due to his own excess.

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