The moment Sukuna takes over Yuji's body, you know. Not because of his attitude. Not because of his voice. Because of the tattoos.

Those black markings on his face, arms, and chest are not decoration. They are not random. Every line on Sukuna's body carries meaning rooted in Japanese history, in the mechanics of cursed energy, and in the lore of Jujutsu Kaisen itself.

In this guide, we break down why Sukuna has tattoos, what each theory says, what creator Gege Akutami has hinted at, and why those markings have become one of the most recognizable images in modern anime.

Who is Sukuna?

Ryomen Sukuna is the main antagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen. He is known as the King of Curses the most powerful cursed spirit in existence. Over a thousand years ago, he was a human sorcerer so terrifyingly strong that even after death, his body could not be fully destroyed.

What remained were twenty indestructible fingers. When protagonist Yuji Itadori consumes one of those fingers, Sukuna can temporarily take over his body — and the moment he does, the tattoos appear.

That detail is important. The tattoos are not on Yuji's body by default. They appear when Sukuna takes control. This tells us the markings belong to Sukuna specifically they are part of what he is, not just what he looks like. You can read his full history on the Jujutsu Kaisen Wiki.

The Three Main Theories — Explained Properly

Theory 1 — The Criminal Marking Theory

In Japan's Edo period, criminals were tattooed as a form of public punishment. The practice, called irezumi, was used to mark those who had committed serious crimes — so society would always know who they were dealing with.

Sukuna has spent over a thousand years killing people in cold blood. He has never once shown remorse. If his markings follow this historical tradition, they are essentially his criminal record permanently inscribed on his body for all of history to see.

This theory is supported by the fact that Sukuna's design deliberately echoes traditional Japanese criminal tattoo patterns. Gege Akutami is known for drawing on Japanese cultural history, and this connection is one of the most clearly documented.

Theory 2 — Cursed Energy Made Visible

In the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, cursed energy often has a visual element. Sukuna's markings are widely interpreted as a physical representation of the enormous cursed energy that flows through him.

When he activates his techniques, the tattoos react they intensify, they glow, they shift in certain scenes. This suggests a direct connection between the markings and his power output. They are not sitting on the surface. They are part of how his cursed energy channels through his body.

This also explains why they appear on Yuji only when Sukuna is in control. The markings follow the cursed energy and Sukuna's cursed energy is what makes them visible.

Theory 3 — Stored Techniques (Most Discussed by Fans)

This is the theory the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom has debated most. Sukuna has distinctive square-shaped tattoos on his chest. Fans noticed these boxes and connected them to his "Open" technique a word that was censored in the manga during the Shibuya arc.

The theory: each box is a stored cursed technique. When he activates one, the corresponding tattoo disappears and he uses that ability. As Game Rant explains in their breakdown of Sukuna's tattoos, this theory gained significant traction after the Shibuya arc though it has never been officially confirmed by Akutami.

What Gege Akutami Has Actually Said

Here is the honest answer: Akutami has never given a definitive explanation for Sukuna's tattoos.

This is deliberate. Akutami is known for leaving lore details ambiguous letting the audience engage with the mystery rather than resolving it cleanly. The same approach was used with Gojo's Six Eyes, with Sukuna's true form, and with the origins of cursed energy itself.

What we do know from the series is this: the tattoos appear only when Sukuna is in control. They are not permanent on Yuji. They are part of Sukuna's true identity a visual signal that something far older and far more dangerous is now present.

"The markings don't just tell you who he is. They warn you what he's capable of."

Why Sukuna's Tattoos Became a Cultural Icon

Beyond the lore, Sukuna's markings have taken on a life of their own. They are among the most recreated anime designs right now. Fans get them as real tattoos. Cosplayers paint them on. Artists recreate them constantly.

The reason is simple: the design communicates power without needing words. Clean black lines. Geometric shapes. Nothing soft or decorative. They are the visual language of someone who has never needed to prove anything to anyone because their existence alone is the proof.

That aesthetic — dark, minimal, uncompromising is exactly what our Jujutsu Kaisen gymwear collection is built around. The Gojo Set 2.0, Sukuna-inspired pieces, and the Sukuna Ring carry that same energy into the gym. You can also browse our full anime gym sets collection for every character we carry.

Final Word

There is no single confirmed answer. But the most complete picture combines all three theories.

The criminal marking theory explains the cultural origin where the design language comes from. The cursed energy theory explains the in-universe function why they react to his power. The stored techniques theory explains the geometry why the chest marks are perfectly square boxes.

What all three theories agree on: the tattoos are not decoration. They are a record. A warning. A map of power that has existed for over a thousand years.

Sukuna does not wear them. He was born into them.

Written by the VenluShop Anime & Culture Team — Jujutsu Kaisen fans who take the lore as seriously as the training. Every article we publish is properly researched.