WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 12 of Jujutsu Kaisen, "To You, Someday" now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Jujutsu Kaisen's Itadori is just beginning his journey as a sorcerer, and after having previously died once himself, a dark standard for the series has been set. While he recovered well from his Sukuna-assisted resurrection, Itadori is stunned by Junpei's death, and the impact of it sparks an intense clash with Mahito.
Junpei's heartbreaking descent reached a breaking point after Curses killed his mother, and once Mahito's deceit was exposed, his upcoming demise was expected. Though Itadori was at the cusp of saving him, the reality of his new friend's death is painfully thrown in his face as both Mahito and Sukuna mock him. Despite Itadori and Junpei's starkly different school life experiences, there are similarities between them and a bond had been formed, one which deeply affected Itadori.
Mahito's Deception of Junpei, Revealed
With Nanami and Ijichi each remonstrating, hoping to stop Itadori from storming into Junpei's school due to the veil placed around it by Mahito, the young Jujutsu Sorcerer defiantly ignores them. To Itadori's despair, Junpei is using his newly awoken Jujutsu Technique, Moon Dregs -- a poisonous, jellyfish Shikigami -- to negative effect. The two briefly brawl, but Itadori gets the better of Junpei since Moon Dreg's poison doesn't work on him.
They share a vulnerable moment when Junpei reveals what happened to his mother, and Itadori implores him to join Jujutsu Tech -- vowing that they'll one day find who cursed his mother. Unfortunately, Mahito steps out and changes the whole dynamic, immediately attacking Itadori. Junpei tries to intervene, but as Mahito places a hand on his shoulder, reality dawns on him that he's just been marked for death.
In a moment, Junpei's body painfully contorts from Mahito's Idle Transfiguration. Junpei's mutated form charges at Itadori, who pleads with Sukuna to save his friend. His request is spitefully denied, spurring a burst of rapturous laughter from Sukuna and Mahito as a teary-eyed Junpei dies at Itadori's feet.
Itadori's Rage Over Junpei's Death
Itadori charges Mahito down with murderous intent and punches him with a Divergent Fist. The hit catches the Cursed Spirit by surprise since the attack's second impact can directly hit Mahito's soul -- making Itadori a natural counter to his Cursed Technique. However, Mahito's ability to manipulate his body into any shape proves difficult as he stabs Itadori multiple times.
Mahito intended to use Junpei as a sacrifice to lure Itadori into making a pact with Sukuna. However, the Cursed Spirit is unaware that a binding vow was already made between the two when Sukuna revived Itadori -- though the latter has no memory of this. While Mahito's plan remains to coax Itadori into unleashing Sukuna, he makes a life-threatening mistake by attempting Idle Transfiguration on him. It draws a chilling warning from the King of Curses, who reminds Mahito of his place.
Itadori & Nanami Vs. Mahito
Itadori's expected reaction to seeing Junpei die drew the exact desperation Mahito was hoping for from the Jujutsu Sorcerer, and it's hard to blame him. He feels responsible for not saving Junpei; plus, they were both new to the Jujutsu world and share the pain of having lost someone significant to them. Itadori aims to save anyone he can and hopes to give everyone a chance at a proper death, so this loss will surely reinforce his determination.
As Itadori perseveres, refusing to unleash Sukuna and unfurling a barrage of bone-crunching headbutts against the Cursed Spirit, Mahito almost gets the jump on him, but Nanami arrives to intervene. After filling him in on the situation, the two Jujutsu Sorcerer's prepare to take on the sinister Mahito.
