Hello there, it’s Junko from Japan! What does Jujutsu Kaisen mean in Japanese? While it’s often translated as “Sorcery Fight” in English, the original Japanese title carries a deeper meaning.
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ is a unique phrase coined by the author, Akutami Gege, without a direct equivalent in English. Let’s delve into each kanji character and explore the hidden meanings behind the title.
Unraveling the Japanese Meaning in ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ is comprised of two distinct parts: JUJUTSU and KAISEN.
JU = curse
JUTSU = spell, technique, skill
The term JUJUTSU refers to a curse or a cursed technique, carrying a sense of something magical but with more negative and dreadful connotations. In the English version of the anime, it’s translated as “Jujutsu sorcery.”
What Does Kaisen Mean?
KAISEN, the second part of the title, isn’t a common term in Japanese. In fact, it’s believed to be a term specially created by the author. When broken down, KAI means “rotate” and SEN means “battle”. So, KAISEN can be interpreted as “endless battles” or “long-continued battles”.
KAI = rotate, move around
This Kanji letter means “rotate” and “move around.” The doubled square symbol pictures something rolling around. The left part of the character stands for “long way.” This makes the meaning of “something is keep rotating.”
SEN = fight, battle, war
Taken together, the title ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ could symbolize “endless cursed technique battles”, hinting at the perpetual conflict between humans and cursed spirits depicted in the anime.
The Significance of ‘Kaisen’ in the Anime
Several dialogues within the manga hint at the meaning of KAISEN. For instance, Mahito, a cursed spirit, once told Itadori, “I kill people without thinking, you save people without thinking. Our battle is to see who will remain after 100 years, curses or humans.”
Todo Aoi, another character, shares a similar sentiment, “We are all Jujutsu sorcerers. As long as we live, our fallen comrades will never truly be defeated.” Todo is a crazy man, but he sometimes becomes very clever…
These dialogues suggest a never-ending battle, a core theme of ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’. Just as Geto Suguru sought his own way to end the battle and came up with his own answer, the protagonist, Itadori Yuji, may also face a moment when he has to make the ultimate choice.
Delving Deeper into ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’
Beyond the translation and interpretation of the title, ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ offers a wealth of fascinating aspects to explore. If you’re interested in learning more about the anime, feel free to check out our other articles.
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