劇場版 呪術廻戦 0
"Love is a twisted curse."
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
Rika's Engagement Ring
The ring symbolizes Yuta and Rika's childhood promise to get married and stay together forever. Initially, it represents their pure, innocent love. After her death, it becomes the primary medium through which Yuta channels and controls Rika's cursed power. It is a physical manifestation of their bond and the curse itself, representing both the love that created the curse and the promise that ultimately allows him to master it and, finally, to set her free.
Rika gives the ring to Yuta shortly before her death. Throughout the film, Yuta wears it on a necklace, keeping it close to his heart. In the final battle against Geto, Yuta places the ring on his finger, fully accepting his bond with Rika and unleashing their combined power by offering his life and future to her in exchange for her strength. This act transforms the symbol from one of a haunting promise to one of selfless love and sacrifice.
The Katana
The katana represents Yuta's growing resolve and his transition from a passive victim to an active sorcerer. Initially, he is untrained and cannot wield it effectively. As he trains with Maki, the sword becomes an extension of his will and a tool to channel his own cursed energy, separate from Rika. It symbolizes his journey of gaining agency and confidence, learning to fight for himself and others rather than relying solely on Rika's protection.
Gojo gives Yuta the katana early in his training at Jujutsu High. His initial struggles with it mirror his internal struggles. His sparring sessions with Maki are crucial moments where he learns not just swordsmanship but also how to stand up for himself. In the final battle, he imbues the katana with his own immense cursed energy, demonstrating that he has become a capable sorcerer in his own right.
Curtains (Veils)
The dark, semi-transparent "Curtains" or veils that sorcerers deploy create a barrier between the Jujutsu world and the ordinary world, hiding their battles from non-sorcerers. They symbolize the secrecy of the sorcerers' struggle and the separation between the two worlds. For Geto, this separation is a philosophy; he wishes to make the separation permanent by eliminating the non-sorcerer world entirely. The visual of the curtain falling signifies the start of a hidden, supernatural conflict.
Curtains are used multiple times throughout the film, such as during Yuta and Maki's first mission at the elementary school and during the final city-wide battles of the "Night Parade of a Hundred Demons." Geto dramatically drops a massive curtain over Shinjuku and Kyoto to kickstart his attack, visually representing his declaration of war on the non-sorcerer world.
Philosophical Questions
Can the most powerful love create the most destructive hate?
The film explores this question through its central premise: Yuta's pure love for Rika, when twisted by the trauma of her death, creates a devastatingly powerful and dangerous curse. This suggests that powerful emotions are inherently volatile and that the line between profound love and a destructive, possessive force is thin. Suguru Geto's character also reflects this; his initial desire to protect humanity (a form of love) curdles into a genocidal hatred for non-sorcerers after repeated trauma and disillusionment. The film posits that it is not the emotion itself but the inability to process the pain associated with it that leads to destruction.
Is it justifiable to sacrifice the few for the happiness of the many?
This is the core of Suguru Geto's philosophy. He believes that the existence of non-sorcerers (the many) is the source of all curses, which cause the suffering and death of sorcerers (the few). Therefore, he sees the eradication of non-sorcerers as a justifiable, logical step to create a paradise for his own kind. The film presents his view as a dangerous and extreme ideology, contrasting it with the sorcerers of Jujutsu High who dedicate their lives to protecting the non-sorcerer population, despite the personal cost. The narrative implicitly rejects Geto's utilitarian argument, championing the protection of all lives, regardless of their 'worth' or power.
What is the true meaning of strength?
"Jujutsu Kaisen 0" presents multiple forms of strength. There is the overwhelming cursed energy of Yuta and Rika, the peerless combat ability of Satoru Gojo, and the ideological conviction of Suguru Geto. However, the film ultimately argues that the greatest strength is emotional and psychological. Yuta's journey shows that true power isn't just about wielding a curse; it's about having the strength to confront one's own grief, to form bonds with others, and to find the will to live and protect. Maki Zen'in, who has very little cursed energy, demonstrates immense strength through her physical training and unwavering determination in the face of her family's rejection. The film suggests that true strength is found in vulnerability, connection, and the courage to accept oneself.
Core Meaning
The core meaning of "Jujutsu Kaisen 0" revolves around the profound and often painful relationship between love, grief, and power. The film posits that love is the most potent and, therefore, the most "twisted" curse of all. It explores how Yuta's inability to accept Rika's death is the very source of the curse that binds her to him. His journey is not about exorcising a demon, but about confronting his own trauma and guilt. The film's central message is that true strength comes from accepting one's pain and finding the courage to live on, not in spite of the grief, but because of the love that caused it. Yuta's transformation from a suicidal, isolated boy to a powerful sorcerer who fights to protect others is a testament to the idea that our deepest wounds can become our greatest sources of power when we find a purpose beyond our own suffering.