[Cursed Spirit]
A monstrous existence that is the embodiment and will of negative emotions such as hatred, regret, and shame that have flowed from the human body. They are the true form of ghosts, yokai, and obake spoken of in the ghost stories, legends, and urban legends of mainstream society.
In Japan, the number of people who die mysteriously or go missing exceeds 10,000 annually on average, and the vast majority of these are said to be victims of cursed spirits.
Places that hold many memories for a large number of people, such as schools and hospitals, become receptacles for negative emotions, making them prone to the generation of cursed spirits.
They speak human words as if in a delirium, but without meaning. As they are curses, communication is impossible except for a few exceptions, and they generally come to kill humans mercilessly.
While there are cursed spirits with high intelligence that can communicate with humans, their personalities are formed with the direction of "harming humans," so even if they "use" humans, coexistence is impossible.
Non-sorcerers, who lack the talent for sorcery and have not received training, cannot see or touch them. Furthermore, after death, they disappear with a smoke-like reaction, making it impossible to confirm their corpses. Therefore, sorcerers, who have the talent to perceive cursed spirits and use cursed techniques, secretly operate to exorcise them.
The existence that opposes cursed spirits is called a "Sorcerer."
They exorcise cursed spirits using energy called cursed energy or special techniques.
The stage is modern Japan, characterized by a dangerous world of curses spreading behind the facade of peaceful everyday life.
[Vessel]
An existence that has been taken over and transformed by a human incorporating a specific cursed object (an ancient human who has become a cursed object, or something close to it).
At that time, they learn general common sense from the brain of the vessel, allowing them to act without problems in modern society.
Rescuing the victim who became the vessel is considered fundamentally impossible, and according to sorcery regulations, they are treated as "curses" like cursed spirits and are designated as targets for subjugation.
The appearance of a vessel varies depending on the incorporated cursed object and the vessel's resistance. Some become monstrous forms because the vessel lacked talent for sorcery, appearing at first glance to be cursed spirits. Others have completely lost the vessel's appearance, and some even intentionally retain most of the vessel's appearance. Incidentally, he is also considered a vessel that retains the vessel's appearance.
There is a one-time recovery method that interrupts the transformation due to incorporation and then resumes it, which secondarily heals physical damage, but only Sukuna in the story has been able to do this.
Due to their nature, they are easily confused with cursed spirits, but because they have physical bodies, they can be seen by ordinary people, and their corpses remain after exorcism, which is a major difference. They are more akin to curse users (after all, cursed objects are the remnants of humans).
Although their sense of ethics differs, some possess a degree of cooperativeness and conscience, and after the Shibuya Incident rendered the sorcery world dysfunctional, there are vessels that temporarily form cooperative relationships with sorcerers.
[Tokyo Jujutsu High School]
One of only two four-year sorcery educational institutions in Japan. It is located in the suburbs of Tokyo.
Its official name is "Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu High School."
It has a sister school in Kyoto.
It is disguised as a private religious school, but it is actually a metropolitan school operated with public funds.
Many sorcerers use this place as a base of operations even after graduation. It is the core of the sorcery world, providing not only education but also mission referrals and support. Tokyo High School handles missions in Eastern Japan and accepts students from high schools.
The school building is protected by a barrier created by Tengen, the core of the sorcery world, and is designed to alert if unregistered cursed energy is detected.
The current higher-ups (Jujutsu Headquarters) are all conservatives who only follow conservative policies based on tradition and status. Satoru Gojo despises them, calling them "uncouth old men" and "fools," and took up teaching with the goal of reforming them.
Furthermore, many sorcerers have had their lives saved or received financial assistance due to Gojo's flexibility (selfishness) using his influence from his position.
Perhaps influenced by Gojo, the current students all have unconventional ways of thinking and a strong, free, and cheerful atmosphere. They are also close regardless of grade or gender.
For this reason, it is unclear, but many students do not get along well with the conservative higher-ups (like Kinji Hakari). Considering this, the higher-ups are also wary of them.
There is a system where students receive a salary for defeating cursed spirits and curse users on missions at the high school.
[Inside the High School]
As it is a special school for training sorcerers, the school premises are equipped with an armory and a temple, but also general school facilities such as a gymnasium with a basketball hoop, science labs, and infirmaries.
[Jujutsu High School Notes]
Jujutsu High School is currently a four-year program, but it used to be a five-year program. The last year was a moratorium period where sorcerers could spend their time freely. However, recently, the idea that "the last year is unnecessary" has spread, leading to a four-year program excluding the last year. It is now customary to have a one-year gap between graduation and working as a sorcerer.
[Sorcerer]
A human who exorcises curses using sorcery.
Often abbreviated as "sorcerer."
Broadly speaking, it also refers to curse users who use sorcery for their own selfish desires, or individuals who can manipulate cursed energy, such as assistant directors who handle barrier deployment or non-combat sorcery.
The history of sorcery is ancient, dating back over a thousand years to the Heian period. However, because it is a business that originally emphasizes innate talent, and sorcerers must be insane (because the values and way of thinking of the sorcery world are far removed from modern mainstream society) to perform their duties, the number of sorcerers in modern times is so scarce that it is said to be "perpetually understaffed." The number of students in "Jujutsu High School," which trains sorcerers, is about 3 per grade on average.
To maintain social order and, by extension, the peace of mind of ordinary people (non-sorcerers), sorcerers operate secretly behind the scenes rather than acting openly. In other words, many non-sorcerers are protected by sorcerers without knowing of their existence. Sometimes, this contradiction can give rise to curse users.
Sorcerers have ranks, classified from Grade 1 to Grade 4, and Special Grade, similar to cursed spirits.
Promotion is possible by passing the given examination for each rank. In this case, it is possible to be promoted sequentially from Grade 3 to Grade 2, or to skip grades, such as from Grade 3 to Grade 1.
For exorcism missions of cursed spirits, sorcerers of the same grade as the cursed spirit are mainly dispatched, and upon completion, they are given compensation commensurate with the mission.
Furthermore, while these ranks are only given to those affiliated with Jujutsu High School, sorcerers not affiliated with the high school who are recognized as having the strength equivalent to a Grade 1 sorcerer are given the honorary rank of "Special Grade 1 Sorcerer."
[Special Grade Sorcerer]
The highest rank of sorcerer.
While sorcerers are basically ranked from Grade 1 to Grade 4, "Special Grade" is a rank outside the normal sorcerer classification, and the qualification condition is "the ability to overthrow a nation single-handedly."
Gakuganji Yoshinobu, the principal of Kyoto Jujutsu High School, describes the existence of Special Grade sorcerers as "above and beyond ordinary sorcerers."
Their very existence influences the power balance of the sorcery world, but judging by how they are treated, this rank is by no means honorable. Rather, it can be seen as a brand given to "threats that could endanger the sorcery world itself."
Special Grade sorcerers are kept alive for various reasons, such as their overwhelming power, and in some cases, they may be subject to execution or permanent banishment.
Their overwhelming strength never wavers, and even if personnel decrease due to death in battle, they never increase. In the first place, Grade 1 sorcerers have a wide range of abilities, and it is generally thought that overthrowing a nation is impossible. Special Grade sorcerers possess abnormal strength that allows them to overthrow a nation whenever they wish.
[Curse User]
If there are "Sorcerers" who protect non-sorcerers (ordinary people) with the sorcery talent they possess, there are also those who do the opposite.
These are individuals who use their power to curse and kill non-sorcerers. They are collectively referred to as "Curse Users" by the sorcery world and are treated with caution.
Since sorcery is invisible to non-sorcerers, it can even enable perfect crimes depending on how it is used. Therefore, the majority of curse users make a living through dark work using sorcery (conversely, there are many who are willing to pay high sums of money to curse specific individuals).
Furthermore, some non-sorcerers take advantage of this trend, forming cooperative relationships with curse users by arranging jobs for them or acting as intermediaries between curse users and clients.
As mentioned earlier, most curse users aim to make money through dark work, but some have fallen into curse users due to the hatred they harbor from being oppressed by non-sorcerers.
In some cases, individuals who are inconvenient for the sorcery world's higher-ups or the three great families of the sorcery world, such as Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Satoru Gojo, and Maki Zenin after the Shibuya Incident, are unilaterally designated as curse users.
Curse users are subject to execution based on sorcery regulation Article 9.
While it is one thing to have experience training at educational institutions like Jujutsu High School, few can reach a high level through self-study alone. In the first place, even sorcerers who have undergone formal training are said to plateau at Grade 2 to quasi-Grade 1 level, so naturally, there are very few curse users with that level of skill.
[Curse User Group]
Curse users often band together, either to find solace with others in similar circumstances or to unite with comrades who share the same ideals. However, given the small total number of sorcerers, even a group of outcasts would be lucky to exceed ten people.
Nevertheless, since the existence of sorcery could be revealed through damage caused by curse users, the high school side attempts to annihilate even the smallest groups.
[Three Great Families of the Sorcery World]
The three families of Zenin, Gojo, and Kamo, which have a long history and power in the sorcery world.
They inherit inherited innate techniques passed down through generations by bloodline. Those who do not inherit a technique, lack talent, or cannot use sorcery are treated coldly, even if they are the children of the main wife. Conversely, those who inherit a technique, even if they are the children of a concubine or a sorcerer distanced from the family, tend to be treated favorably.
The families have a very bad relationship with each other due to their competitive spirit and strictly guard their respective techniques. In the imperial court matches (mock battles held before the imperial court) during the Keicho era, the heads of the Gojo and Zenin families at the time died in mutual combat. They are also greedy for power struggles, and even in emergencies, they do not hesitate to undermine other families or forcibly strengthen their forces.
Historically, the Gojo and Kamo families (though the kanji are different) actually existed. The Gojo family is a court noble family founded by Sugawara no Tamenaga, a descendant of Sugawara no Michizane, one of the "Three Great Vengeful Spirits of Japan." The Kamo family is a noble and onmyoji family that is said to have produced Kamo no Tadayuki, the teacher of Abe no Seimei.
The Zenin family, while having a rare surname found in only about ten people in Japan, has an unknown history otherwise.
[Zenin Family]
The inherited techniques identified are the "Ten Shadows Technique," a technique using ten shikigami mediated by one's own shadow, and "Projection Sorcery," which traces pre-created movements.
It is a feudalistic family, so much so that it is said, "If you are not Zenin, you are not a sorcerer. If you are not a sorcerer, you are not human." Those who do not inherit an inherited technique start life as dropouts. Among them, women may not even be allowed to stand at the starting line.
Even setting aside its feudalistic nature, its internal corruption is particularly severe among the three great families. They are so wicked that Naobito, who abandoned ordinary people being attacked by cyborgs during a mission, seems like a good person in comparison.
Furthermore, they possess an organizational structure superior to Jujutsu High School, consisting of the elite sorcerer group "Heishi," composed only of those recognized as quasi-Grade 1 sorcerers or higher by the high school qualification criteria; "Tō," which includes those who possess techniques but do not meet the entry requirements for Heishi (their strength is not up to quasi-Grade 1); and the subordinate organization "Kukuru," composed of boys trained in martial arts who do not possess techniques.
[Gojo Family]
The identified inherited technique is "Limitless," which creates "infinity" in reality. In addition to the technique, they possess a unique trait called "Six Eyes," which is extremely rare even among the Gojo family. Their ancestor is Sugawara no Michizane.
Currently, the head of the family is Satoru Gojo, the revolutionary of the sorcery world. For this reason, it is considered the most decent among the three great families. However, the current Gojo family has no other powerful sorcerers besides him, making it effectively a one-man team relying solely on him.
With the Zenin family destroyed and the Kamo family taken over and collapsed, it can be said to be the only functioning great family.
Furthermore, Yuta Okkotsu is a distant relative of the Gojo family.
[Kamo Family]
The identified inherited technique is "Blood Manipulation," which manipulates one's own blood and objects it adheres to. There seem to be others, but they are unknown.
They emphasize the traditions of the sorcery world and their family bloodline, are close to the conservatives (in fact, the conservatives are largely composed of the Kamo family), and have the deepest connection with the Jujutsu Headquarters. They have many techniques related to blood.
[Cursed Energy]
All humans are born with cursed energy.
Since negative human emotions are the source of cursed energy, the more anger or sadness one explodes with, the more cursed energy they can release. However, if one forces it out, they will be depleted of cursed energy for a while, so it is nonsensical.
Sorcerers then activate their innate techniques using cursed energy as fuel.
Furthermore, cursed spirits born from negative emotions are physically constructed from cursed energy.
[Total Amount of Cursed Energy]
The total amount of cursed energy possessed by sorcerers and cursed spirits. It is often used as an indicator of strength, but it does not seem to be a clear indicator, as Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer in modern times, has less total cursed energy than Yuta Okkotsu.
Special Grade cursed spirits born from the awe of powerful figures from the Heian period, such as Sugawara no Michizane, a common ancestor of Gojo and Okkotsu, and Ryomen Sukuna, the strongest sorcerer in history, and from the fear of many humans, have a large total amount of cursed energy.
[Cursed Energy Output]
If the total amount of cursed energy is the tank, then the cursed energy output is the faucet. There is no proportional relationship between the two.
Kikufuji's attack at the "Yoimatsuri," which consumed years' worth of cursed energy, was described as "Special Grade-class cursed energy output." This means that the power of techniques that Special Grade sorcerers can use (such as Satoru Gojo's "Hollow Purple") is equivalent to several years' worth of cursed energy for an ordinary sorcerer.
Output is also involved in impacts, and higher output means higher defense.
Those introduced as having high cursed energy output include Yu, Ishioka, Okkotsu, and some of the Heian powerhouses including Man, Sukuna, and Gojo.
[Cursed Energy Manipulation]
Literally, the manipulation of cursed energy. Using this technique, cursed energy can be imbued into the body to enhance physical abilities and body hardness. This technique can also be applied to cursed tools and even stones. However, if a large amount of cursed energy is flowed at once, there is a risk that the vessel will not be able to withstand it and will be damaged.
Furthermore, some sorcerers and curse users can manipulate objects imbued with cursed energy at will.
[Efficiency in Cursed Energy Manipulation]
The efficiency of minimum output in cursed energy manipulation is determined by the precision of the cursed energy manipulation technique. Gojo and Sukuna have very high cursed energy efficiency and consume little cursed energy.
Cursed spirits allocate most of their cursed energy to constructing their bodies, so their cursed energy efficiency is not very good. Also, cursed energy efficiency varies depending on the technique. For example, Maki Zenin's construction technique consumes a large amount of cursed energy, resulting in poor fuel efficiency where she can only create one bullet per day. On the other hand, Divergent Fist has an incredibly high cursed energy efficiency, as transforming oneself falls within the scope of self-compensation.
[Core of Cursed Energy]
By understanding the essence of cursed energy, i.e., the "flavor of the ingredient called cursed energy," sorcerers can reach the next stage.
[Black Flash]
A phenomenon where, in a cursed energy-imbued strike, if the cursed energy collides within 0.000001 seconds of the impact, the space distorts and the cursed energy glows like a black lightning bolt. The power increases by approximately 2.5 times the normal amount. It is truly a critical hit in cursed energy battles.
There is a world of difference between those who have experienced Black Flash and those who haven't in terms of their proximity to the core of cursed energy. As it is a phenomenon and not a technique, there are no sorcerers who can intentionally produce Black Flash.
[Reverse Cursed Technique]
A technique that generates positive energy by combining negative energy, cursed energy. Although called a technique, it is essentially advanced cursed energy manipulation.
Using Reverse Cursed Technique allows for the healing of wounds. Furthermore, by activating a technique with positive cursed energy, the opposite effect of the original technique can be achieved (in Satoru Gojo's Limitless Cursed Technique, the converging force that pulls things in changes into a diverging force that pushes them away).
Only a very small number of sorcerers can handle Reverse Cursed Technique, and those who can heal others through output are particularly valuable assets in the sorcery world.
Grasping the core of cursed energy is mainly done during Black Flash, or as in Gojo's case, at the brink of death.
It should be noted that not all who experience Black Flash will master Reverse Cursed Technique.
[Innate Technique]
A special ability activated by channeling cursed energy, commonly referred to as a "technique."
If cursed energy is compared to "electricity," then a technique is like a "home appliance" that uses electricity.
Sorcerers channel cursed energy, which is the source of curses, into their techniques to give them direction and manifest various supernatural abilities. Naturally, if cursed energy is depleted, the activation of the technique becomes impossible.
As a general rule, each sorcerer and cursed spirit has one technique.
There are sorcerers who possess multiple techniques through methods such as copying or through cursed spirits, but the limit seems to be around two to four (according to Kaku: "Unless you have an external device, your brain's memory will overflow").
Since techniques are generally engraved in the body from birth, those born without a technique can only exhibit limited abilities even if they possess cursed energy. Furthermore, even those born with a technique cannot change it midway. This is why a sorcerer's strength is largely attributed to talent.
There is also a method of engraving a technique by incorporating a cursed object, but it is likely a suicidal act that risks being taken over unless one has resistance to exceptionally rare cursed objects.
Furthermore, even if one possesses multiple techniques, simultaneous operation of two or more techniques is impossible, and after Domain Expansion, all possessed techniques are burned out.
Also, while the technique itself is engraved, some individuals lack the brain structure to exhibit sorcerer abilities. For such individuals to use techniques, their brains must be modified to the same specifications as sorcerers through some method. By modifying and adjusting the brain, they can use techniques and cursed energy like sorcerers.
In simple terms, it can be said that three things are necessary: cursed energy (MP), technique (skill tree), and brain structure (skill tree unlock).
Disclosing the content of one's innate technique to others is apparently a violation of privacy.
[Technique Revelation]
A type of binding imposed on oneself.
It is the most frequently used binding in the story, and can be said to be the foundation of bindings.
By revealing the details of one's technique to the opponent, the effect of the technique and cursed energy can be boosted. However, while there are benefits, it also means revealing one's hand to the opponent, so there is a risk of being defeated by the opponent exploiting the revealed information. Thus, it is a technique with high returns but also high risks.
However, some sorcerers use this to their advantage by deliberately spreading false information to confuse the enemy.
Furthermore, when facing unintelligent cursed spirits, or when the technique is extremely simple, such as one specialized only in physical attacks, there is virtually no downside to revealing the technique's information (as there is no way to counter it even if the information is known). In such cases, or for users of such techniques, technique revelation is carried out more actively.
[Domain Expansion]
The final stage of an innate technique and the pinnacle of cursed energy combat.
Only a very limited number of individuals can master and freely wield this.
It is a type of barrier technique that creates the sorcerer's innate domain (their mental landscape, explained later) externally in the form of a "barrier," trapping the enemy within it, and imbuing the barrier with the sorcerer's own technique to make attacks based on the technique unavoidable.
Activation generally requires forming a hand seal (mudra) with fingers or arms. Therefore, it is possible to prevent Domain Expansion by interfering with the hand seal formation through some means. However, some cursed spirits can perform Domain Expansion without using their arms, such as by forming seals with arms generated in their mouths or drawing seals on their abdomens, so it is not always preventable. There is also an exception where a weapon generated by a technique is struck without forming a hand seal to activate it.
The ability is a barrier that is more specialized in "trapping," and can be likened to spatial domination. Upon activation, the space around the sorcerer transforms into the sorcerer's domain. Therefore, the condition for mastering a domain requires not only the sorcerer's abilities and strength but also aptitude for barrier techniques (*), which is one of the major reasons why few sorcerers can use domains.
There are primarily two major benefits to performing Domain Expansion.
The first is "enhancement of the sorcerer's status due to environmental factors."
The inside of the domain is, so to speak, the "sorcerer's mental world" or "inside the sorcerer's technique." It is an environment where the sorcerer can act most easily, a sort of home ground, allowing them to fully exert 120% of their refined potential.
The second is "absolute hit rate for the sorcerer's technique activated within the domain."
Being within a domain imbued with a technique means that "the technique has already hit." Therefore, attacks based on the technique within the domain are guaranteed to hit.
While powerful, it also has significant drawbacks. Firstly, the cursed energy consumption is enormous, so it is said that it cannot be used repeatedly and is generally treated as a powerful move limited to once a day.
[Heavenly Restriction]
A general term for the "bindings" that individuals born as sorcerers possess from birth, which grant them immense power in exchange for something they are forced to sacrifice, or for bindings imposed on such individuals.
While the abilities are thought to vary individually, they can range from Mechamaru's vast technique range covering all of Japan to the ability to produce cursed energy output equivalent to a Special Grade sorcerer, albeit temporarily.
[Binding Vow]
A contract established between techniques or between individuals.
Even Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, states that it is "one of the important factors in sorcery."
By imposing some risk or restriction on oneself, one gains benefits such as an increase in technique performance or cursed energy output in exchange.
If broken, the benefits gained are lost, or in the worst case, some penalty is incurred.
Bindings formed between individuals are mainly "restrictions on actions to prevent betrayal," and are only established with the mutual consent of both parties. It is extremely difficult to force a binding through coercion.
[Binding of Death]
The ultimate means of binding.
Literally, it is a binding that stakes one's own life to produce immense power.
While the sorcerer undoubtedly dies, the fact that the crows manipulated by the Black Bird Manipulation Technique can produce enough cursed energy with a binding staked on their lives to exorcise a Special Grade cursed spirit shows the value and importance of staking one's life in sorcery.
In the story, this binding has resulted in effects such as cursed energy attacks that alter terrain by releasing cursed energy restrictions, and the creation of replicas of Special Grade cursed tools using one's own technique, all of which have had tremendous effects.
[Cursed Tool]
Weapons imbued with cursed energy.
They are classified by grade, similar to sorcerers, based on their effects.
Initially, information was limited to them being weapons imbued with curses, but sorcerers could turn them into cursed tools through use, or curse users like Jurota Shimo appeared who specialized in creating cursed tools.
While the selection criteria for Special Grade sorcerers have been revealed as the ability to overthrow a nation single-handedly, the selection criteria for Special Grade cursed tools have not been disclosed.
The ritual to turn something into a cursed tool is called "Bathing," and it is completed by soaking the object to be turned into a cursed tool for ten months and ten days in a solution of cursed energy obtained by filtering carefully selected creatures through a poisonous蛊毒.
Furthermore, cursed tools do not run out of cursed energy, so individuals with Heavenly Restriction's physical giftedness can use them indefinitely without considering cursed energy efficiency.
Moreover, by diverting the cursed energy of cursed tools, techniques such as simple domains have become possible, allowing even bodies with no cursed energy to handle sorcery.
[Jujutsu Regulations]
Laws of the sorcery world that must be observed to protect non-sorcerers.
Article 1 (Mission)
Sorcerers must eliminate the threat of sorcery.
Article 2 (Jujutsu Headquarters)
The Jujutsu Headquarters shall be established within the Japanese government.
Article 3 (Jujutsu High School)
The role of the high school is an institution for the education and supervision of sorcerers.
The principal can command all sorcerers.
The principal shall be appointed by the Jujutsu Headquarters.
The Jujutsu Headquarters has the right to command the principal.
Article 4 (Sorcerer Ranks)
There are [Special Grade], [Grade 1], [Quasi-Grade 1], [Grade 2], [Quasi-Grade 2], [Grade 3], and [Grade 4]. Higher-ranked sorcerers shall guide lower-ranked sorcerers.
Article 5 (Punishment)
The Jujutsu Headquarters has the right to impose punishments on sorcerers.
Punishment details ↓
[Public Execution], [Secret Execution], [Designation as Curse User], [Sealing], [Detention], [Suspension], [Confiscation of Property]
Article 6 (Retirement)
Sorcerers may retire with the approval of the Jujutsu Headquarters, and retired sorcerers shall become unranked.
Retired sorcerers must not use sorcery.
However, it is permissible to eliminate threats.
Article 7 (Response to Threats)
[Cursed Spirits], [Cursed Objects], [Curse Users], etc., are considered threats, and upon discovery, must be reported to the principal.
In emergencies, immediate suppression on the spot is permissible.
Article 8 (Secrecy)
The existence of sorcery must not be revealed to non-sorcerers, unless a threat is imminent (In the Shibuya Incident, with the existence of sorcery now revealed to the public, a resolution for the immediate invalidation and abolition of Article 8 is being proposed).
Article 9 (Protection of Non-Sorcerers)
Non-sorcerers must not be harmed using sorcery, unless it is to protect the lives of others.