Ryomen Sukuna is the King of Curses. Hearing the name Ryomen Sukuna is enough to send fear down the spines of every cursed spirit and put all jujutsu sorcerers on high alert. As Jujutsu Kaisen‘s overarching antagonist, the King of Curses debuts in the very first episode after Yuji Itadori swallows one of his cursed fingers. Each time Sukuna takes over Yuji’s body, he is given an opportunity to speak his mind, and the things he says are as intriguing as they are disturbing.
With each finger Yuji swallows, Sukuna’s hold over his body becomes more powerful. In fact, the mere existence of these fingers is a testament to his power, since the sorcerers who defeated him couldn’t even destroy his remains due to his immeasurable amount of cursed energy. Sukuna is one of the most malevolent characters in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, and great evil often has a lot to say when it believes itself to be the pinnacle of the world.
Updated on April 15, 2025, by Ajay Aravind: The end of the JJK manga saw the defeat and exorcism of Ryomen Sukuna. It was only after this point that the King of Curses’ character arc finally took a turn away from the arrogance of evil. That said, some of the best speeches in Jujutsu Kaisen are Sukuna quotes, highlighting both his overwhelming strength as well as his dangerously self-centered philosophy. As such, we have updated this list with more examples of the best Sukuna lines in JJK, especially from the manga’s closing chapters.
25 "He's So Pitiful."
Chapter 215, "Fearsome Womb, Part 7"
One of Sukuna’s most common personality traits is condescension, which he expresses for pretty much everyone. Considering how Yuji was the only one capable of controlling Sukuna (within his soul), the King of Curses was naturally going to be particularly hateful toward the young protagonist. As such, Sukuna’s response to Yuji’s pain after losing Megumi highlights the King of Curses as a sore winner. It’s not enough for him to get his way, he must also torment his opponents.
No, wait, look. It’s hilarious. He’s so pitiful.
Yuji and Maki certainly tried their best to defeat Sukuna when the latter stole Megumi’s body, but Uraume interrupted the battle by freezing the heroes solid. Before leaving, however, Sukuna took the trouble to mockingly compare the look on Yuji’s grief-struck, wounded face to a famous statue. The King of Curses refused to offer his enemy dignity, a thread of behavior that would be maintained for a long time.
24 "I'm Overwhelmingly Stronger"
Chapter 226, "Inhuman Makyo Shinjuku Showdown, Part 4"
Sukuna only seemed to grow more arrogant as the story progressed. When the time finally came for him to go toe-to-toe with the world’s strongest sorcerer, it was a battle that kept everyone on the edges of their seats chapter after chapter. There were moments he actually wasn’t sure how he would fare against Satoru Gojo, but his arrogance never wavered throughout the chaotic course of their battle.
With regard to cursed technique… I’m overwhelmingly stronger.
As the two danced around each other’s techniques, attacking, countering, studying, and learning, it was a battle of egos and arrogance that was going to end with one of them dead. Stretching on for fifteen chapters with the ongoing commentary from those watching making sense of the intense showdown, Sukuna’s realization that he was stronger was just the beginning of an end no one wanted, except maybe the King of Curses.
23 "You Want Praise Now?"
Season 1, Episode 4, "Curse Womb Must Die"
One thing most special grade curses seem to have in common is an overwhelming sense of self-importance. They often believe themselves superior and infallible, which is why it’s actually kind of funny when Sukuna reemerges in the world to put them in their place. He, too, suffers from the same inflated ego, but the depths of his power seem to go well beyond what the other special grade curses can pull off.
All right, Special Grade. You just keep trying. Pleased with yourself, huh? You want praise now?
It isn’t long before he starts showing off just how much better he is than the rest of them, and how pathetic he really finds them. The interesting thing about this is that much like the curses he gets rid of along the way, it’s only a matter of time before Sukuna himself came up against an unbeatable force. That said, the King of Curses would never shed his condescension for those he considered weaker than him, not until the end of this life.
22 "Marvelous! It'll Be a Massacre!"
Season 1, Episode 1, "Ryomen Sukuna"
In the opening sequence of Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji Itadori eats one of Ryomen Sukuna’s fingers in an attempt to gain enough power to save his friends. However, after eating this Cursed Object, Yuji awakens the King of Curses, who briefly takes over his body and checks out his surroundings. It’s been a long time since he’s been a part of the world, and it hasn’t quite aged the way he hoped it would.
Where are the people?! The women?! What a wonderful age this is! Women and children are spawning like maggots! Marvelous! It’ll be a massacre!
First, Sukuna observes the physical sensation of having a vessel, but very quickly, he turns his attention to the millions and millions of people living in Tokyo. When he looks out onto the city and observes the people within, Sukuna revels in the potential mayhem and destruction he can inflict. It’s a terrifying look into the menace he will potentially become, if not kept in check. And the entire world nearly ended up at Sukuna’s mercy.
21 "…You Jujutsu Sorcerers Are a Pain."
Season 1, Episode 2, "For Myself"
When Satoru Gojo finds that Yuji Itadori has successfully suppressed Ryomen Sukuna’s will after eating one of his fingers, he tells the young teen to relinquish control of his body to the ancient sorcerer for ten seconds. During this time, the world’s strongest sorcerer trades blows with Sukuna, who only possesses one-twentieth of his full power. Being the strongest modern day sorcerer, Gojo definitely gives the arrogant Sukuna a run for his money in that encounter.
«No matter what era it is, you jujutsu sorcerers are a pain.»
Even though Sukuna tries to ambush Gojo, the King of Curses is caught off guard by his quick reflexes. Although Sukuna only has ten seconds to fight the world’s best sorcerer, he quickly realizes he is no match, at which point he bemoans the presence of sorcerers. Even centuries after his defeat, those who managed to end his reign of terror are still around, ever-present and standing vigilant against those who would use cursed energy to society’s detriment.
20 "Any Hierarchy Other Than Strength Is Boring."
Season 1, Episode 2, "For Myself"
Like many powerful anime villains, Ryomen Sukuna believes that if a hierarchy must exist in jujutsu society, then it must be based solely upon the strength of a sorcerer. After all, this same system objectively states that Ryomen Sukuna is one of the strongest creatures in the history of jujutsu sorcery so it only makes sense that he would want to wield his influence. That said, Sukuna’s idea of existence is causing as much violence as possible.
A system that isn’t based purely on strength is boring if you ask me. When I make this kid’s body mine, you’ll be the first one I kill.
However, standing in between Sukuna and his plans of world destruction is none other than Satoru Gojo, the world’s strongest sorcerer. Still, that doesn’t stop the King of Curses from openly trash-talking Gojo from the mouth on Yuji’s cheek. He knows that even Gojo wouldn’t stand a chance against him in a real battle, highlighting the fact that Sukuna’s taunts aren’t necessarily trash talk. The King of Curses has the confidence of someone invincible and it shows.
19 "Need Another Do-Over?"
Chapter 227, «Inhuman Makyo Shinjuku Showdown, Part 5»
In Chapter 226, Gojo’s arrogance got the better of him, and he mocked Sukuna by issuing a do-over in their brutal, ongoing battle. For a time, it seemed like Gojo might have the upper-hand again, but within Unlimited Void, Sukuna changed the domain conditions. This allowed him to strike Gojo and shatter his domain, giving him the upper hand again.
Need another do-over?
Turning the tables on the world’s strongest sorcerer, Sukunu couldn’t help himself from lashing back at Gojo, making him eat his own words. Someone like Gojo, who has literally been raised and trained relentlessly for a moment exactly like his battle with Sukuna has the right to be over-confident. Unfortunately, his confidence was very obviously going to be his downfall, and that possibility excited the King of Curses immensely.
18 "You Can't Open Your Domain Again."
Chapter 230, "Inhuman Makyo Shinjuku Showdown, Part 8"
Gojo’s inevitable battle with Sukuna was arguably the best fight in Jujutsu Kaisen, and fans can’t wait to see their clash animated. As two of the strongest sorcerers in existence, it was immediately obvious that the fight was not going to be straightforward. In fact, Sukuna and Gojo repeatedly used both their Domain Expansions to weaken each other, with the King of Curses simultaneously exploiting Mahoraga to adapt to Gojo’s Unlimited Void.
Mwa ha ha. You can’t open your domain again.
Sukuna openly admits the dangers posed by his enemy’s Domain Expansion, explaining why he willingly gambled the chance to use his Innate Technique for a far more useful outcome. When Gojo attempts to trigger Unlimited Void once again, Sukuna playfully informs him that it’s impossible to do so. Watching Gojo reel from shock, not to mention the blood suddenly falling from his nose, sets an ominous atmosphere for the rest of the battle. Even Sukuna’s cartoonish «mwa ha ha» doesn’t minimize the impact of his quote.
17 "I'll Show You What Real Jujutsu Is."
Season 1, Episode 4, "Curse Womb Must Die"
During Ryomen Sukuna’s fight against the Special Grade Curse in the detention center, the King of Curses gets his first chance to show some of his true strength. The Finger Bearer effortlessly overwhelms Megumi and Yuji, even destroying one of the latter’s Divine Dogs. Before Sukuna, however, a curse that bore only one of his fingers was nothing more than a minor annoyance. The King of Curses even mocked the Finger Bearer while coldly dissecting its body.
I’ll show you what real jujutsu is.
After announcing his attention to demonstrate the true depths of strength, Ryomen Sukuna unleashes his Domain Expansion, Malevolent Shrine. Within a matter of moments, he disassembles the Special Grade Curse into several pieces and gives viewers a first glimpse at just how truly powerful he is. Malevolent Shrine would turn out to be the most powerful Domain Expansion in Jujutsu Kaisen, firmly underscoring what Sukuna meant as «real jujutsu.»
16 "Put More Curse Behind It!"
Season 1, Episode 5, "Curse Womb Must Die II"
During Ryomen Sukuna’s first fight with Megumi Fushiguro, the King of Curses is bound and determined to keep trying to draw more and more of Megumi’s power out of him. However, as soon as the fight starts, Megumi is instantly overwhelmed by Sukuna’s power. Regardless of the gap between their skills, Sukuna seems extremely excited about a chance to defeat the Ten Shadows user, and by the halfway point of their fight, he seems to have lost himself in bloodlust.
More! More! Put some more Curse behind it!
Fortunately for Jujutsu Kaisen‘s heroes, Yuji takes control of his body before the situation gets any worse. However, this interaction with Megumi set the stage for the inevitable future, where Sukuna would successfully seize Megumi’s body and leave Yuji’s behind. The King of Curses wanted to exploit the Ten Shadows Technique, explaining why he was so desperate to see Megumi go all-out in their first battle.
15 "Did You Think a Measly One or Two Fingers Would Grant You the Right…?"
Season 2, Episode 15, "Fluctuations, Part 2"
Mimiko and Nanako Hasaba grew desperate after Kenjaku took over Geto’s body. With the man who once saved them from a devastating fate gone forever, they were more than just ready to bargain with the King of Curses. They came prepared with extra Sukuna fingers to offer. Unfortunately, their offering was less than sufficient in Sukuna’s eyes, and before they could so much as protest, he took them both out in a blink.
Did you think a measly one or two fingers would grant you the right to order me around?
Not even their powerful cursed objects, which had gone a long way toward protecting them were enough to keep them safe. In fact, he turned Nanako’s cursed camera back on her when she attempted to take him out after he killed her sister. While most fans won’t miss the Hasaba twins, understanding their desperation made them more sympathetic than most of Jujutsu Kaisen‘s antagonists.
14 "You Dare Touch My Soul?"
Season 1, Episode 12, "To You, Someday"
Mahito and the Disaster Curses are some of the most powerful Cursed Spirits of all time. In comparison to the King of Curses, however, they pose relatively little threat. In fact, Ryomen Sukuna puts Mahito in his place a few times during Jujutsu Kaisen. When the patchwork curse tried to use his Idle Transfiguration on Yuji Itadori, he inadvertently got his hands on Sukuna’s soul, instantly angering the King of Curses.
You dare touch my soul? Since we shared a laugh at the brat’s expense, I’ll only allow it once. There won’t be a second time.
In response, Sukuna tells Mahito that he will forgive his transgression just this once, and Mahito is far too terrified to disobey the King of Curses. The battle continues with Mahito mocking Yuji once again, but fans immediately noticed that he had become much warier than before. In fact, this is one of the main reasons that Mahito encompasses Nanami within his Domain Expansion, effectively excluding Yuji from the battlefield.
13 "Know Your Place."
Season 1, Episode 13, "Tomorrow"
When Mahito touches Ryomen Sukuna’s soul, he performs one of the gravest transgressions possible in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen. However, despite Sukuna warning the curse not to touch his soul again, Mahito does just that during the climax of his first fight with Yuji Itadori and Kento Nanami. Even though Mahito doesn’t intend to come into contact with Sukuna again, Yuji forces his hand by breaking into the Special Grade Curse’s Domain Expansion.
Know your place, you fool.
This time, Sukuna is far less forgiving and slashes Mahito across the chest, purposefully damaging the patchwork curse’s soul. Mahito flees the scene afterward, running away like a frightened animal with its tail between its legs. Sukuna already considers himself to the pinnacle of existence, deriving his arrogance exclusively from his admittedly immeasurable strength. He’s not going to tolerate pipsqueaks like Mahito forgetting their place.
12 "Remember When I Said We'd See Something Interesting, Boy?"
Chapter 212, "The Ripening, Part 2"
For both manga readers and anime watchers, it was obvious early on that getting to Megumi Fushiguro was Sukuna’s eventual goal. Unfortunately, when Yuji struck his binding vow with Sukuna to keep him from hurting anyone, Yuji didn’t include himself in the equation. Breaking off one of his own fingers after pouring cursed energy into it and feeding it to Megumi gave Sukuna the edge he needed to transfer his essence into the more suitable vessel for his plans.
Remember when I said we’d see something interesting, boy?
This is a truly devastating moment for Yuji, and how easily Sukuna revels in the suffering of others is horrific. Not only had Yuji been forced to partake in Megumi’s transition, but he knew that later he would be forced to face off against one of the people he cared most about in the world. Even as these words haven’t been spoken aloud in the anime adaptation yet, one can definitely hear the sarcasm dripping from every syllable, and it’s painful to read.
11 "To Help Lots of People, Was It?"
Season 1, Episode 24, "Accomplices"
After Yuji Itadori’s first battle against the Cursed Womb Paintings, Eso and Kechizu, the young sorcerer feels guilty and insecure that he was forced to kill a pair of brothers, even if they were transformed by cursed energy. Sukuna uses the opportunity to get inside Yuji’s head and prey on his vulnerable mind, taunting him for his shortcomings.
«To help lots of people, was it? Brat! Lots of people are going to die because of you.
The King of Curse’s remark is a direct attack on Yuji’s conviction. Yuji vowed to help people and allow them to die honorably, but he failed. As callous as his words are, they do represent the uphill battle that Yuji must climb if he wants to die an honorable death surrounded by friends. At the same time, Sukuna’s reminder holds true: countless people lose their lives over the course of fighting him. Yuji doesn’t bear the guilt anymore, however, signifying his newly minted emotional conviction.
10 "You Hold Your Heads Quite High…"
Season 2, Episode 15, "Fluctuations Part 2"
Feeding Yuji all ten fingers at once was a bold move, but the hope that they would reap Sukuna’s benevolence for taking that risk was a little shortsighted. Forced to bow in Sukuna’s presence, Mimiko, Nanako, and Jogo didn’t hesitate to comply. Nanako and Mimiko ask him to kill the one inhabiting Suguru Geto’s body, and in exchange they will tell him where he can find another finger. Sukuna kills them both for being so bold to assume he would do their bidding, but Jogo is actually given a bargain that can’t be refused.
You hold your heads quite high. The bows that bear most hang lowest, yes, but I guess you guys are pretty lightweight.
Sukuna proposes to Jogo that if he can hit him even once in battle, he will join Jogo’s allies and kill everyone in Shibuya, save for one person. The fight that follows doesn’t win Jogo what he hoped for, but it is clear that even as Itadori returns to himself after all the destruction Sukuna wrought, he may not need to bargain with Yuji. Eventually, he may just be able to take whatever he wants.
9 "Stand Proud. You Are Strong."
Season 2, Episode 16, "Thunderclap"
Very rarely does Ryomen Sukuna show any benevolence. That doesn’t mean the King of Curses is incapable of acknowledging the value and power others display. Perhaps one of the few positive things that Sukuna does in the series is praise the abilities of Jogo, one of the Disaster Curses, who dies by his hand after a particularly brutal fight between them. This is particularly important since Jogo never offered him a challenge.
Stand proud. You are strong.
Though he defeats Jogo without using his full power, the King of Curses makes sure the curse knows he is a worthy opponent before he dies. After acknowledging that Jogo never intended to give up, Sukuna finishes off the curse before continuing his rampage across Shibuya. For Jogo, this moment of praise was unexpected, and though he didn’t manage to finish what he set out to, he died strong.
8 "You Were Magnificent, Satoru Gojo."
Chapter 236, "Heading South"
Satoru Gojo gave everything he had while fighting Ryomen Sukuna, even if the King of Curses wasn’t working at maximum power. And yet, Gojo wounded Sukuna severely at several instances, not to mention decimating Mahoraga with Hollow Purple. The King of Curses, on the other hand, was certain in victory and never stopped expecting it. Meanwhile, Gojo’s ferocity began flagging over the second half of their battle.
You were magnificent, Satoru Gojo. I shall never forget you for as long as I live.
All things considered, however, fans were overjoyed to see Gojo «win» at the end of Chapter 235, only to discover that he had been killed by Sukuna. To everybody’s surprise, Sukuna smiled happily and offered his congratulations to his fallen enemy, claiming that he would «never forget» Gojo. Watching the King of Curses praise someone, let alone an enemy with the potential to defeat him, demonstrated one of the more honorable aspects of Sukuna’s persona.
7 "…How Pathetic You Are."
Season 2, Episode 16, "Thunderclap"
Jogo knew going into his bargain with Sukuna, it was probably going to end poorly for him, and yet he had to take the chance. With Sukuna allied with their cause, the cursed spirits would be unstoppable and the jujutsu sorcerers would fall. The fact that he went into the bargain with ten of Sukuna’s fingers as a bargaining chip earned him a moment of the King of Curse’s time, but the outcome wouldn’t go as he hoped.
The moonlight’s illumination makes it easier to see how pathetic you are.
Agreeing to join their cause if he could land even one hit on Sukuna in a fight, it was obvious the moment the battle started this would be Jogo’s last fight. Before the end, he was fully aware the his last moments were upon him, admitting to himself that he knew his own mistake. To see Sukuna standing over him, mocking his efforts, only serves to make the moment that much sadder.
6 "I Hereby Forbid Every Person in a 100-Meter Radius from Moving."
Season 2, Episode 16, "Thunderclap"
As Sukuna prepares to bring a fiery death down on the jujutsu sorcerers that challenge him outside Shibuya, he commands absolute compliance. It’s hard to imagine what might have actually happened if anyone had defied his order and moved, but what came when he clapped his hands was absolutely devastating. The difference between the English dub and the original subtitled scene may not seem like much, but the arrogance is slathered in snark in the dubbed version, while the subtitles carry a much more controlled air to his words.
I hereby forbid every person in a 100-meter radius from moving until I say the word now. Not yet. Still not yet. Now!
Either way, there is no doubt that despite still not being close to his prime, Sukuna is one of the greatest threats to the jujutsu world. If they aren’t able to stop Sukuna while he’s at his peak, there will be no stopping him at all, and it’s hard for fans to imagine what that might look like after a scene like this one. Thankfully, they never have to.
