Kusakabe vs Sukuna happens during the Shinjuku Showdown in Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 254. Kusakabe uses Simple Domain, New Shadow Style, and swordsmanship to defend himself against Sukuna’s slashing attacks.
He manages to counter several attacks but is eventually cut down. He does not defeat Sukuna, and the encounter ends when Ui Ui attempts to rescue him.
Key Takeaways
- Kusakabe vs Sukuna takes place mainly in Chapter 254.
- Kusakabe relies on Simple Domain and New Shadow Style rather than an innate cursed technique.
- He successfully deflects Sukuna’s Dismantle and keeps fighting despite the huge power gap.
- Kusakabe’s Hazy Moon attack targets Sukuna’s damaged heart.
- Sukuna catches Kusakabe’s sword and cuts him down.
- Kusakabe does not defeat Sukuna.
Who Is Kusakabe?
Atsuya Kusakabe is a Grade 1 jujutsu sorcerer and one of the most technically skilled swordsmen in Jujutsu Kaisen.
What makes Kusakabe unusual is that he does not possess an innate cursed technique. Instead, he built his fighting style around swordsmanship, cursed energy control, and New Shadow Style.
He is particularly skilled with Simple Domain, an anti-domain technique that gives him an important defensive tool against powerful opponents. His mastery of these techniques helped establish his reputation among other Grade 1 sorcerers.
Kusakabe is also described in the series as the strongest Grade 1 sorcerer under a specific qualification: Gojo’s statement excludes sorcerers from the Big Three Families. That detail matters because the statement should not automatically be treated as a ranking of every non-special-grade fighter in the entire series.
Who Is Sukuna?
Ryomen Sukuna, known as the King of Curses, is the opponent Kusakabe faces during the Shinjuku Showdown.
Sukuna’s combat ability is built around enormous cursed energy, exceptional physical ability, advanced cursed techniques, and Shrine. His slashing techniques, including Dismantle and Cleave, make close and long-range combat extremely dangerous.
That creates a major contrast between the two fighters.
Kusakabe depends on precision, timing, defense, and sword technique.
Sukuna has a much broader offensive arsenal and extraordinary combat ability.
The interesting part of their encounter is therefore not simply the difference in raw strength. It is seeing how Kusakabe’s technical fighting style performs when he is forced to face Sukuna directly.
Kusakabe vs Sukuna: What Happened?
The main confrontation occurs in Chapter 254, titled “Inhuman Makyo, Shinjuku Showdown, Part 26.” The chapter was released on March 25, 2024.
Kusakabe steps forward after the previous fighters have already put Sukuna through an extended battle.
He knows the danger but decides to fight anyway.
Kusakabe Activates Simple Domain
Kusakabe begins by opening Simple Domain and activating Evening Moon Sword Drawing.
Sukuna immediately recognizes the unusual choice.
Simple Domain is primarily an anti-domain technique. It can neutralize the guaranteed-hit effect of a domain, but it does not automatically erase every cursed technique used against the person inside it. Sukuna understands this and decides to test Kusakabe’s defense with Dismantle.
This creates one of the most important moments in the fight.
Sukuna launches a slash.
Kusakabe reacts instantly and deflects it with his katana.
That moment shows exactly why Kusakabe has such a strong reputation despite lacking an innate technique.
How Does Kusakabe Fight Sukuna?
Kusakabe does not try to overpower Sukuna.
Instead, he uses movement, swordsmanship, timing, and his New Shadow Style techniques to stay alive.
After deflecting Sukuna’s attack, Kusakabe throws his coat toward Sukuna and uses the opening to attack. Sukuna cuts through the coat with Dismantle, but Kusakabe avoids the attack and continues the fight.
The battle then moves through the streets of Shinjuku.
Kusakabe repeatedly reacts to Sukuna’s slashes while trying to find an opening.
This is where his combat style becomes especially clear.
His strength comes from combining several smaller advantages:
- Fast reactions
- Precise swordsmanship
- Simple Domain
- New Shadow Style
- Strong cursed energy control
- Combat awareness
- Experience against dangerous opponents
He does not need a flashy innate technique to remain dangerous.
What Is Kusakabe’s Hazy Moon Technique?
During the fight, Kusakabe uses Hazy Moon, another New Shadow Style technique.
After his sword is damaged, he uses the technique to restore the blade and prepares a surprise attack.
Kusakabe aims for Sukuna’s already damaged heart.
However, Sukuna recognizes what Kusakabe is trying to do and catches the katana between his fingers.
This is an important turning point.
Kusakabe had found a logical target, but Sukuna’s awareness and reaction speed prevented the attack from landing successfully.
Sukuna then cuts Kusakabe down.
Did Kusakabe Hurt Sukuna?
Kusakabe’s attacks demonstrate that he can interact with Sukuna and defend himself against some of his slashes, but the manga does not establish Kusakabe as an equal to Sukuna.
His most notable accomplishment in this confrontation is his ability to survive and respond to Sukuna’s attacks for a period of time.
That is impressive considering the difference between their overall combat capabilities.
But it is important to separate a strong individual feat from a broader power-scaling conclusion.
Kusakabe’s performance shows his skill.
It does not establish that he is stronger than Sukuna.
Why Could Kusakabe Fight Sukuna Without an Innate Technique?
This is one of the most interesting parts of Kusakabe’s character.
Most major jujutsu fighters have an innate technique that defines their combat style.
Kusakabe does not.
Instead, he developed his abilities around New Shadow Style.
His Simple Domain is particularly important because it provides both defensive utility and a framework for his sword techniques. His mastery allows him to react quickly to attacks that would be extremely difficult for an ordinary sorcerer to handle.
This is why calling Kusakabe “just a swordsman” undersells his abilities.
His entire fighting style has been refined around efficiency.
Kusakabe vs Sukuna: Strength Comparison
| Category | Kusakabe | Sukuna |
| Official rank | Grade 1 | King of Curses |
| Innate cursed technique | None | Shrine |
| Main combat style | Swordsmanship / New Shadow Style | Cursed techniques + physical combat |
| Major defensive tool | Simple Domain | Cursed energy, technique mastery, durability |
| Signature skill | Sword drawing and reactions | Shrine and advanced combat ability |
| Performance in Chapter 254 | Defended against multiple attacks | Controlled the overall fight |
| Final outcome | Cut down | Continued fighting |
The table highlights an important point: Kusakabe’s technical skill does not put him on the same overall level as Sukuna.
His fight is impressive precisely because he is operating against an opponent with vastly greater offensive resources.
Kusakabe vs Sukuna: Who Won?
Sukuna was not defeated by Kusakabe.
Kusakabe fights him directly, deflects Dismantle, uses multiple New Shadow Style techniques, and attempts to attack Sukuna’s damaged heart.
However, Sukuna catches Kusakabe’s sword and cuts him down. Ui Ui then arrives to retrieve Kusakabe. Sukuna attempts to attack Ui Ui, but Ui Ui escapes, and Miguel subsequently appears.
So the manga does not show a conventional completed fight with Kusakabe defeating Sukuna.
Instead, the encounter ends with Kusakabe being taken out of the immediate battle.
What Chapter Is Kusakabe vs Sukuna?
The main Kusakabe vs Sukuna fight is in Chapter 254 of Jujutsu Kaisen.
Chapter 254 contains the actual confrontation, including Kusakabe’s Simple Domain, Dismantle exchanges, sword techniques, Hazy Moon, and his eventual defeat.
Chapter 255 follows the sequence and shifts attention to Miguel and Larue entering the battle.
If you want to read the complete sequence around Kusakabe’s encounter with Sukuna, Chapters 254 and 255 are the key chapters.
Can Kusakabe Beat Sukuna?
The manga does not provide evidence that Kusakabe could defeat Sukuna in a complete one-on-one battle.
What the fight does demonstrate is that Kusakabe is highly capable at defense, swordsmanship, and cursed-energy control.
His Simple Domain gives him a way to respond to Sukuna’s attacks, while his New Shadow Style lets him turn his swordsmanship into a highly efficient combat system.
But Sukuna possesses a much larger offensive toolkit and has repeatedly demonstrated extraordinary durability, speed, cursed energy, and technique mastery.
So Kusakabe’s Chapter 254 performance should be understood as a demonstration of his technical skill and courage, rather than proof that he has reached Sukuna’s overall level.
Why Is Kusakabe vs Sukuna So Popular?
The fight stands out because Kusakabe is not presented as a typical powerhouse.
He is a teacher who lacks an innate cursed technique and often appears reluctant to enter dangerous situations.
Yet when the situation demands it, he steps forward and uses everything he has learned.
That makes his confrontation with Sukuna different from battles based mainly on huge cursed techniques.
Kusakabe shows how far fundamentals, experience, timing, and technical mastery can take a sorcerer.
His performance also explains why other characters respect him as a Grade 1 sorcerer despite his lack of an innate technique.
FAQs:
Who is stronger, Kusakabe or Sukuna?
Sukuna has the greater overall combat power and a much broader set of abilities. Kusakabe’s strength comes from technical mastery, swordsmanship, Simple Domain, and New Shadow Style rather than overwhelming cursed energy or an innate technique.
Did Kusakabe defeat Sukuna?
No. Kusakabe fought Sukuna in Chapter 254 but was eventually cut down. Ui Ui attempted to rescue him, and the fight moved on to the next stage of the Shinjuku Showdown.
What chapter is Kusakabe vs Sukuna?
The main Kusakabe vs Sukuna confrontation happens in Chapter 254, while Chapter 255 continues the surrounding battle.
Does Kusakabe have an innate cursed technique?
No. Kusakabe is notable because he reached Grade 1 without an innate cursed technique. He instead relies on New Shadow Style, Simple Domain, swordsmanship, and cursed energy control.
What technique does Kusakabe use against Sukuna?
Kusakabe uses Simple Domain, Evening Moon Sword Drawing, and Hazy Moon during the confrontation. These techniques allow him to defend against Sukuna’s slashes and launch his own sword attacks.
Does Kusakabe survive his fight with Sukuna?
Yes. Kusakabe is cut down during the encounter, but Ui Ui attempts to extract him from the battlefield. The story then moves on to Miguel’s arrival and the continuing fight against Sukuna.
Conclusion:
Kusakabe vs Sukuna is less about two equally matched fighters and more about the limits of technical skill against overwhelming power.
Kusakabe proves that he can react to Sukuna’s attacks, use Simple Domain effectively, and fight with impressive swordsmanship. However, he ultimately cannot defeat Sukuna.
His Chapter 254 performance remains important because it shows why Kusakabe is respected as an elite Grade 1 sorcerer: he has no innate cursed technique, yet his mastery of fundamentals lets him stand against one of the most dangerous opponents in the series.
Eric Walker, an author at replyygenius.com, where I create clear and helpful content for readers.
I focus on writing useful, engaging, and easy to understand articles that deliver real value.
