WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Episode 10 of Jujutsu Kaisen, "Idle Transfiguration," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
With Gojou Satoru already shining among Jujutsu Kaisen's sorcerers, it was only a matter of time before the series started to delve into its mysterious Cursed Spirits. As Mahito and Nanami meet for an introductory clash, the Curse reveals his transfigurative ability comes from morphing the shape of a person's soul.
Mahito's Idle Transfiguration technique strikes all the chords of a destructive power that demonstrates the character's sadistic tendencies. Mahito transfigures the shape of a person's soul, which can alter their body's shape and size, and is capable of killing them in an instant or leaving them to suffer. Considering Jujutsu Kaisen's relationship with action and horror, Mahito could be one of the series' best and most dangerous villains.
Junpei Is Mahito's Perfect Target
Junpei's continued harassment and growing contempt for humanity at large are heartbreaking to see, and his association with Mahito plays perfectly with the Cursed Spirit's origin. Created from human's hatred for one another, Mahito is the manifestation of the types of negative feelings Junpei experiences. Mahito amps up his manipulation, using life's cyclical nature to try and prove that nothing is meaningful, and Junpei should act on any impulse.
Everything about Mahito's relationship with humanity seems to be experimental. From his physical tests of transfiguring their bodies to their largest and smallest limits to toying with their minds and controlling them. His unraveling of Junpei includes sanctioning any desire to kill others -- claiming it's as natural as eating when you're hungry.
Nanami Faces Mahito & His Transfigured Humans
Activated by touch, Mahito attempts to use his Idle Transfiguration on Nanami when the two fight in the sewers. Thankfully, the Jujutsu Sorcerer protects himself with Cursed Energy, but Mahito's versatile technique adds unpredictability. He can even transform parts of his own body -- giving himself horse-like legs -- making him incredibly adaptable. While Mahito can heal his wounds with Cursed Energy like other Curses, he can instead reshape his soul's construct to mend his body.
On multiple occasions, the victims of Mahito's ability are left in such a state that they can only utter a couple of pained words. He also uses transfigured humans as weapons, morphing their bodies into unnatural shapes regardless of their original size. During their fight, Nanami notices one calling for help, though sadly, they're beyond saving. Mahito reveals that it's taken practice to ensure his victims don't die immediately after being transformed.
Can Itadori Pull Junpei Away?
Meanwhile, Itadori tails Junpei, who is confronted by a teacher from his school and questioned about his recent absences. The teacher quickly infuriates Junpei after mischaracterizing the three bullies Mahito killed as Junpei's close friends. Frustrated by his teacher failing to recognize their cruelty, Junpei seems moments away from using Cursed Energy but is interrupted by Itadori.
As Itadori tries to determine what Junpei's relationship with the Jujutsu world is, Nanami experiences a sudden spike in strength as he goes into "overtime." By working beyond his usual hours, Nanami appears to gain a boost of power, which catches the still lively Mahito by surprise.
