What Is Mahoraga And Why Is It So Important In Jujutsu Kaisen?

Daksh Chaudhary
Apr 10
3 min read

Mahoraga importance in Jujutsu Kaisen explained

The towering, four-winged monster called Mahoraga in Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t just another Cursed Spirit - it’s the ultimate weapon of the Ten Shadows Technique, a force so strong it made even Sukuna sweat. But what exactly is Mahoraga, and why does it hold the key to some of the most jaw-dropping moments in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Also known as the Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General, Mahoraga's biggest strength is its adaptive nature. Imagine an enemy that learns from every hit you land, then becomes immune to your attacks. That’s Mahoraga. From its first appearance in the Shibuya Incident to its role in Sukuna’s battle against Gojo, this shikigami has rewritten the rules of combat in Jujutsu Kaisen. But how does it work, and why is it so feared?

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What Is Mahoraga? The Untamable Beast Of The Ten Shadows

Mahoraga is the strongest shikigami in the Ten Shadows Technique, a cursed ability passed down in the Zenin clan. Unlike Megumi’s other summons, like the wolves or toads, Mahoraga is a last-resort nuclear option. No Sorcerer in Zenin history has ever tamed it - but Sukuna did it, despite not being a member of the clan.

To summon Mahoraga, the user chants, “With this treasure, I summon…” while clenching their fists. This references the Ten Sacred Treasures of Shinto myth, hinting at its divine origins. Once summoned, Mahoraga appears as a towering humanoid with four wings sprouting from its eyes and a massive eight-handled wheel floating above its head. That wheel isn’t just for show, it’s the key to its terrifying power.

The Adaptation Power: Why Mahoraga Is Hard To Defeat In Jujutsu Kaisen

Mahoraga fighting Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen

Mahoraga’s signature ability is adaptation. Every time it’s hit by an attack, the wheel on its head spins, analyzing the technique. After a few spins, Mahoraga becomes immune to that attack and develops a counter. For example:

When Sukuna first slashed it with Dismantle, Mahoraga adapted by deflecting the technique with Cursed Energy.
Against Gojo’s Infinity, Mahoraga altered its own Cursed Energy to bypass the defense, letting Sukuna land critical hits.

Mahoraga doesn’t just survive; it learns. And this shikigami was the reason why Sukuna took an interest in Megumi in the first place. Even Sukuna admitted that if Megumi had summoned it earlier, Mahoraga could’ve killed him. The only way to beat it? Overwhelm it with a completely new attack before it adapts. Sukuna did this by combining Malevolent Shrine with a fire arrow, but even that required insane precision.

Mahoraga’s Role In Jujutsu Kaisen’s Biggest Battles

In Jujutsu Kaisen, Mahoraga acts like a plot device that changes the story. Let’s look at its two most iconic fights:

Shibuya Incident (Vs Sukuna)

Megumi, near death, summoned Mahoraga as a suicide move against Haruta Shigemo. Sukuna intervened to save Megumi (for his own plans) and fought Mahoraga himself. The battle revealed Mahoraga’s raw powers, even sending Sukuna flying through buildings and forcing him to use Domain Expansion and a fire arrow to win.

ALSO READ: How Did Yuji Kill Sukuna In Jujutsu Kaisen? The Shocking Downfall Of The King of Curses

Shinjuku Showdown (Vs Gojo)

Sukuna, now in Megumi’s body, used Mahoraga to counter Gojo’s Unlimited Void and Infinity. By adapting to Gojo’s techniques, Mahoraga gave Sukuna the blueprint to bypass Infinity entirely, leading to Gojo’s defeat.

Without using this shikigami, Sukuna might never have beaten Gojo.

The Mythology Behind Mahoraga: More Than Just A Monster

Mahoraga’s design and name are steeped in real-world mythology:

Buddhist Roots: The eight-handled wheel references the Dharmachakra, a Buddhist symbol for enlightenment. Every spin represents overcoming obstacles, fitting for its adaptation power.
Hindu Influence: The name “Mahoraga” comes from Hindu serpent deities, while “Makora” (its Japanese name) is tied to Buddhist guardian generals.
Shinto Treasures: Its full title, Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General, nods to the Ten Sacred Treasures of the Shinto god Nigihayahi.

This mix of myths makes Mahoraga feel ancient and otherworldly, instead of a regular Cursed Spirit.

Final Verdict: Mahoraga Is Jujutsu Kaisen’s Ultimate Wild Card

Mahoraga isn’t important because it’s strong - it’s important because it’s unpredictable. It turns battles into high-stakes puzzles as you need to kill it before it learns your moves. Its presence raises the stakes for every fight it’s in, whether it’s Megumi’s desperate gamble or Sukuna’s calculated strategy.

However, summoning Mahoraga means risking everything, and taming it requires incredible strength and strategy. One thing's for sure: The presence of Mahoraga in JJK makes the story genius and well-written.