Warning: Contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 183!
The complex power system of Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the manga’s most beloved features, but its newest technique has taken this complexity to a new (and absolutely ridiculous) level.
Cursed energy is the basis for powers in Jujutsu Kaisen, and it is a very flexible system. Cursed energy users can utilize the energy in unique techniques, with the only limitation being that if a technique is overly complex, the user must explain it to their opponent to use it at full power. This clever feature lets the series’ author Gege Akutami fill his story with incredibly complicated abilities (while also having an in-universe reason to explain how those abilities work to the reader). These explanations are usually helpful, but the series’ latest domain expansion is so complex, the explanation doesn’t make “riichi scenarios” any easier to grasp.
At the start of chapter 183, Hakari, supposedly one of the most powerful sorcerers in the series, uses his domain expansion against the failed mangaka Charles Bernard. Charles immediately learns the rules of Hakari’s domain expansion in a massive info dump that is also shared with the reader, but it doesn’t do much to elucidate how his technique works. Hakari’s technique is based on the mechanics of a pachinko machine, with his attacks varying in power based on luck. He is able to use “chance boosters” and alternative game modes like “fever time” to increase his likelihood of getting a jackpot, which will give him an undisclosed bonus. He can also choose how his technique manifests by choosing different “visual effect indicators,” like a pair of closing doors, a reserve ball, and a consecutive effect multiplier. On top of all this, his powers can gain additional power or chance boosters from randomly generated cutscenes and “riichi scenarios” that occur when he is close to getting a jackpot.
While the base mechanics of Hakari’s domain expansion are crazy enough, the theme of his cursed energy pachinko machine is a romantic comedy manga. This means that the cutscenes and riichi scenarios are all related to romcom protagonist Yuki’s relationship with his main love interest Yume. So both participants must watch as Yuki attempts to grow closer to Yume while waiting to find out if Hakari has spun a jackpot. It is unclear whether the participants can influence these scenes, as while it seems like neither can physically interact with the characters, Hakari can somehow manipulate his luck to get the outcomes he wants. If this is true, it would add an additional level of complexity to this already absurdly complicated ability.
This technique is easily the most complicated in the series to date. It is even more complicated than the craziest abilities in series like Hunter x Hunter and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, two series that set the standard for overly complicated abilities. And it hasn’t even been revealed what spinning a jackpot, meaning the ability is likely to get even more complicated in the coming chapters. If other future abilities maintain this level of complexity, Jujutsu Kaisen will be the new standard for absurdly complicated Shonen battle manga going forward.
Jujutsu Kaisen can be read on Viz Media.