After a one-week hiatus, Jujutsu Kaisen is back with yet another highly-anticipated episode. Season 3 episode 8, titled “Tokyo Colony No. 1, Part 2,” doesn’t dive right into the aftermath of its episode 7 cliffhanger, in which Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro drift further away from each other while being inside Tokyo Colony No. 1. There’s no space for respite with the Culling Game constantly upping the stakes, but the latest episode opens on a comparatively mundane note to flesh out the backstory of an intriguing new character: Hiromi Higuruma.
[Ed. note: This article contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 episode 8]
Here’s a quick refresher for the end of Episode 7: In separate locations inside Tokyo Colony 1, Yuji meets Ren Amai while Megumi crosses paths with a sorcerer named Remi. They both ask how they can find Higuruma, a participant with enough points in the Culling Game to introduce a new rule that can help them stop Kenjaku’s plans. Ren claims that he’s in Ikebukuro. Remi says he is holed up in Shinjuku. At least one of them seems to be lying, which sets up a tense cliffhanger that points to some kind of conspiracy. Episode 8 doesn’t reveal the traitor right off the bat — instead, we are introduced to defense attorney Higuruma, who, as a non-sorcerer attorney, fought for the wrongfully accused in Japan. With the overwhelming majority of criminal trials ending in guilty verdicts, Higuruma attempts to balance the scales by giving a voice to those unable to defend themselves.
This noble instinct, however, is repeatedly crushed by the cruel pragmatism of an inept justice system. One of his clients, Keita Oe, awaits trial for murder after circumstantial evidence was discovered at his home. While Higuruma’s persistence helps Oe secure a “not guilty” verdict at his first trial, public opinion pressures the opposition to appeal, leading to a second trial. While evidence suggests the presence of a missing suspect, Oe is treated as a scapegoat and sentenced to life imprisonment. Already pushed to the limits of his sanity, Higuruma is broken by the unjust outcome of this case. These intensely negative emotions manifest his cursed technique, Shikigami/Judgeman, as he demands a retrial in open court. In his traumatized state, Higuruma murders the judge and prosecutor overseeing the case with his newfound abilities.
After this flashback, we cut back to Yuji and Megumi. Ren leads Yuji to Higuruma as we see another flashback explaining how they know each other: a young Yuji defends a boy from bullies while Ren looks on. This obviously means that Remi lured Megumi into a trap. Sure enough, a sorcerer named Reggie Star tries recruiting Megumi as an ally. Reggie clarifies some aspects of Kenjaku’s grand plan, likening his chaotic vision for Japan to nuclear devastation powered by cursed energy.
Inside a theater in Ikebukuro, Yuji tries to convince Higuruma to add a new rule by spending the 100 points he has accumulated so far. After some back and forth, Higuruma refuses, prompting Yuji to square up for a fight. Without wasting any time, Higuruma activates his Domain Expansion, Deadly Sentencing, which sets the tone for the episode to come. As this cursed technique reflects Higuruma’s mental state, what can we expect from the Yuji vs. Higuruma fight?
Higuruma’s newly-awakened cursed technique, explained
Before we try to make sense of Higuruma’s Cursed Technique, we need to understand the nature of his Cursed Tool. In episode 8, the turning point in Higuruma’s mental state manifests as soon as he bangs his gavel in court and awakens Shikigami for the first time. This Gavel is a part of his innate technique, as it doubles as a versatile weapon that can morph into anything, including a mallet, hammer, or hook. The Gavel can also function like Thor’s Mjölnir by returning to his grip after he throws it at a distance, which is especially handy during long-ranged combat.
Although Higuruma is a freshly-awakened sorcerer, he has already grasped the basics of barrier techniques, which have allowed him to better understand and control his cursed energy. This isn’t particularly surprising, as Higuruma’s analytical prowess as a defense attorney is at work here. His Shikigami (Judgeman) can assume the form of Lady Justice to represent the concept of blind justice, which Higuruma has come to resent over the years. Given his sharp intellect, Higuruma has also mastered the Reverse Cursed Technique (RCT), which can be used to regenerate severed limbs during the heat of battle.
Higuruma’s domain abilities have a shot at weakening Sukuna
Higuruma can use the Anti-Domain technique, Domain Amplification, which expands his domain over his body like a thin force field. Any cursed techniques deployed within this area can be neutralized as long as the attacks result in a direct physical hit. The only drawback to this ability is that Higuruma cannot activate any innate techniques during Domain Amplification, as all summoned weapons will disappear. It’s worth noting that Domain Amplification is a rare ability that few sorcerers can wield. Jogo and Hanami learned this technique from Kenjaku, while Sukuna is adept at neutralizing inherited techniques like Satoru Gojo’s Infinity.
This leads up to Higurama’s Domain Expansion, Deadly Sentencing, which manifests as a small courtroom full of guillotines. Higuruma and his opponent are placed on podiums facing one another as a trial commences. Opponents trapped inside the domain have no choice but to follow the rules. Any unprompted violence is instantly negated, with the opponent being returned to their podium. Judgeman acts as the prosecution here, submitting evidence to Higuruma about the opponent’s wrongdoing without revealing the truth (mimicking a fair trial in court). The outcome of this trial solely rests on the opponent’s defense and their ability to support and claim a “not guilty” verdict.
After making their statement, the defendant has the option to remain silent, confess, or deny. Depending on this choice, Higuruma can either offer a rebuttal or cut straight to Judgeman’s verdict. If pronounced guilty, Judgeman temporarily confiscates the defendant’s ability to control cursed energy. If the Death Penalty is issued, Higuruma’s trusty gavel turns into the Executioner’s Sword. No prizes for guessing what happens next.
While Higuruma’s trial-based ability is undoubtedly complicated, his Domain Amplification, compounded with a timely use of RCT, can potentially stagger an ancient curse like Sukuna. This positions Higuruma as a valuable ally during the Culling Game and beyond. But will Yuji be able to convince him by proving his innocence inside Deadly Sentencing? The jury is still out on that one.
New episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 release every Thursday on Crunchyroll.
