Overview of Blood Manipulation in Jujutsu Kaisen
- Blood Manipulation is a highly dynamic and formidable technique within the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, showcasing a range of applications and combat strategies.
- As the series progresses, characters like Choso further develop these capabilities, revealing impressive enhancements and innovative uses of the technique.
- Though potent, Kamo’s character trajectory illustrates how Blood Manipulation remains underexploited throughout the overarching narrative.
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Title |
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 |
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Director |
Shota Goshozono |
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Studio |
MAP |
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Premiere Date |
July 6, 2023 |
Note: This article contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen seasons 1 and 2, available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Opinions may differ regarding the effectiveness of the power system in Jujutsu Kaisen, but one cannot overlook the intrigue surrounding Blood Manipulation. This technique stands out as particularly captivating.
Understanding Blood Manipulation
The introduction of Blood Manipulation occurs during the Kyoto Sister-School Exchange Event arc in Season 1, where it is revealed as an inherited cursed technique exclusive to the Kamo Clan—part of the prestigious Big Three Families. This ability permits users to manipulate their own blood for various purposes, from crafting weapons to enhancing physical abilities down to the cellular level.
How Blood Manipulation Functions
Audiences witness the first real display of Blood Manipulation through Noritoshi Kamo, the heir of the Kamo clan, particularly during his intense duel with Megumi Fushiguro in Episode 18. Kamo initially uses arrows enhanced with his blood to control their movements, defying the laws of physics, and showcases his skill in close combat after depleting his arrows. This leads to the unveiling of “Flowing Red Scale, ” highlighting the remarkable adaptability inherent in Blood Manipulation.
“Flowing Red Scale” enhances the user’s physical prowess by allowing control over body temperature, heart rate, and red blood cell count. In the midst of battle, Megumi likens this technique to performance-enhancing substances in sports, illustrating the scientific underpinnings that make Blood Manipulation all the more fascinating—similar to how Satoru Gojo’s overwhelmingly strong abilities rely on mathematical concepts.
Strengths of Blood Manipulation
Kamo consistently keeps Megumi on the defensive during their confrontation, at least until Megumi summons larger shikigami to tip the battle in his favor. However, in Episode 19, Kamo unleashes the devastating technique known as “Convergence: Piercing Blood.”
This method entails compressing blood into a concentrated orb, representing one of the most effective demonstrations of Blood Manipulation throughout the series. The release of this orb results in a swift and powerful stream that inflicts significant damage. When Kamo, Megumi, and Inumaki are evading the cursed spirit Hanami, Kamo’s abilities exceed Megumi’s as he manages to land consequential attacks while Megumi struggles to make any impact.
Evolution of the Technique
Throughout the series, Noritoshi Kamo exemplifies the breadth of Blood Manipulation’s capabilities. However, it is not until Season 2 that fans truly grasp the full potential of this technique. Choso, another practitioner of Blood Manipulation, elevates these skills dramatically, as evident in his fierce struggle against Yuji Itadori in Episode 37.
This clash has been heralded as one of the finest battles of Season 2 and possibly in the anime’s history, showcasing Choso’s exceptional mastery of Blood Manipulation. He amplifies previously established concepts and broadens the technique’s scope, demonstrating his prowess as he is not human, being one of the Cursed Womb: Death Paintings. This unique background has afforded him over a century to refine his abilities.
Pushing Blood Manipulation to Its Limits
Notably, Choso’s “Piercing Blood” is substantially more potent, and he further utilizes Convergence in innovative forms like “Supernova, ” which unleashes compressed blood orbs explosively. This adaptability proves crucial during the latter part of his battle with Yuji.
In an unexpected twist, Yuji activates the sprinklers in the restroom, creating an environment that nullifies Choso’s external blood manipulation capabilities. The compressed orbs burst shortly after formation, rendering Convergence ineffective and necessitating close-quarters combat, a space where Yuji excels. Nevertheless, Choso’s quick thinking and the ability to harden his blood—despite the risk of thrombosis—allow him to achieve victory.
Is Blood Manipulation Underrated?
As one of the most versatile cursed techniques in the series, Blood Manipulation captivates fans and triggers discussions about its narrative significance. Blood powers are not unfamiliar in anime—exploring the mechanical and aesthetic reasons behind this trend has been the subject of analysis for some time. The connection between blood and themes of life, death, and bodily limits resonates profoundly with audiences, adding layers to its portrayal in Jujutsu Kaisen.
The association of blood with injury and mortality, coupled with the thrill of harnessing this life source for combat, renders Blood Manipulation visually and thematically compelling. Jujutsu Kaisen successfully presents this allure while, paradoxically, limiting its development.
The Difference Between Kamo and Choso
The inherent weaknesses of techniques like Blood Manipulation pose significant trade-offs, particularly in a world where these powers are based on real science taken to extraordinary lengths. Noritoshi Kamo, while powerful as a semi-grade 1 sorcerer, faces limitations due to the finite nature of his blood supply. To mitigate the risk of anemia, he must transport blood bags with him in combat.
Choso emerges as the epitome of Blood Manipulation, seemingly embodying the culmination of what Kamo might aspire to achieve. Despite this, the narrative imposes constraints on Kamo’s character arc, separate from Choso’s unique advantages. Choso’s transformation and resilience are independent of human limitations, highlighting the disparity in their abilities.
Kamo and the Rushed Narrative
Ultimately, Kamo’s character suffers as a result of the fast pace that defines the latter half of Jujutsu Kaisen. While his abilities have been effectively showcased, they have not reached their fullest potential. Blood loss poses little concern for Choso; as long as he possesses cursed energy, he can regenerate blood, a unique trait that places him on a different tier compared to Kamo.
This disparity becomes more pronounced as the series progresses, with Kamo relegated to a supportive role as others, like Choso, take center stage. Although Kamo remains a valuable ally, his power dulled by the rapid advancements of other characters, his once-prominent curse technique does not evolve in complexity.
Despite these narrative limitations, it is fair to conclude that Blood Manipulation stands among the most intriguing cursed techniques in Jujutsu Kaisen. Its impressive versatility, potent capabilities, and striking presentation have cemented its role in some of the anime’s most memorable confrontations and visually stunning episodes.
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