Sukuna's Malevolent Shrine Explained: How It Works

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Anime and manga expert Ryan Burns explains what Malevolent Shrine is in JJK

Co-authored by Ryan Burns and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: May 4, 2026 Fact Checked

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• What is Malevolent Shine?
|
• Appearance
|
• Characteristics
|
• Weaknesses
|
• Malevolent Shrine vs. Unlimited Void
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• Who is Ryomen Sukuna?
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

Malevolent Energy is the Domain Expansion of Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses. In Jujutsu Kaisen, only the most powerful sorcerers have Domain Expansions—a powerful separate space where the sorcerer can use their cursed energy. We partnered with an anime and manga expert to break down everything you need to know about Malevolent Energy, including what it is, what it looks like, how it works, and whether it has any weaknesses. Let’s dive in!

What does Malevolent Shrine do?

Anime and manga expert Ryan Burns says Malevolent Shrine is the Domain Expansion of Ryomen Sukuna. When Sukuna casts Malevolent Shrine, it manifests a demonic shrine covered in bones and horns. Anything within 200 meters of the shrine is slashed repeatedly by Sukuna’s Cleave and Dismantle attacks.

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Section 1 of 6:

What is Malevolent Shine?

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1. 
   Malevolent Shrine is Ryomen Sukuna’s Domain Expansion. Sukuna—also known as the King of Curses—is the strongest sorcerer in the history of jujutsu, so it’s no surprise that his Domain Expansion would be one of the strongest, as well. This Domain Expansion is unique because it’s borderless, and anyone (or anything) trapped inside is hit by relentless slashing cuts.

   • Japanese name: In Japanese, the name is 伏魔御厨子, or Fukuma Mizushi, which translates to Malevolent Shrine. A lot of people call him “Malevolent Kitchen” because he cooks after using it, notes Burns.
   • Description of Malevolent Shrine in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga: “Malevolent Shrine differs from other types of domain expansions in that it doesn’t create a separate space using a barrier. The ability to realize one’s innate domain without using a barrier is akin to an artist painting a masterpiece not on a canvas, but on air. A truly divine technique.”
   • First appears: Malevolent Shrine first appears in the JJK manga in Chapter 8, the Fearsome Womb Arc. It first appears in the anime in Episode 4 when Sukuna confronts a special-grade cursed spirit known as a Finger Bearer.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Ryan Burns is an anime and manga expert and content creator based in South Florida. With over 12 years of experience in social media management and content creation, he has over 75k followers across multiple platforms online.
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Section 2 of 6:

Malevolent Shrine: Appearance

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1. 
   Malevolent Shrine is a twisted take on a Buddhist Shrine. It’s an imposing structure, with mouths at every entrance and sharp, curved horns adoring the roof. Buffalo skulls spill out from the bottom. The domain expands outward from the shrine, making the ground look like a shimmering pool of water.

   • Inspired by: This gruesome shrine was clearly designed to look as evil as the villain it holds. The creator has said he was inspired by the Yamantaka (a Buddhist deity known as the “Destroyer of Death”) and Gozu Tenno (the Japanese deity of pestilence).

Section 3 of 6:

Malevolent Shrine: Characteristics

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1. 
   Malevolent Shrine is a powerful barrier-less Domain Expansion. The lack of a boundary means Sukuna can cover an immense area with his ability, and anything inside is quickly destroyed by the devastating Cleave and Dismantle attacks. Here’s what to know:

   • Lack of a barrier: Most Domain Expansions create a sort of pocket dimension surrounded by a force field. They transfer their opponent to that space, then attack them there. Sukuna’s ability manifests around him in the real world (like “painting on air”), which means anything within the domain can be destroyed.
   • Cleave and Dismantle: Cleave scales to match the power of objects with cursed energy, while Dismantle slashes anything that does not have cursed energy. The attacks are powerful enough to disintegrate buildings, so most opponents don’t stand much of a chance.
   • Massive area: Sukuna can use a binding vow to expand Malevolent Shrine up to 200m. Or, if he needs to, he can manifest it in a smaller area to focus his attack. That combination of size and versatility is hard to escape.
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Section 4 of 6:

Malevolent Shrine: Weaknesses

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1. 
   The lack of a boundary could potentially allow enemies to escape. Because there’s no barrier around Malevolent Shrine, there’s nothing to stop an opponent from dashing out of it. But the size of the Domain Expansion, coupled with Sukuna’s devastating attacks, mean that most of Sukuna’s enemies won’t survive long enough to make it out.

   • However, if Sukuna is injured, he’ll drop his Domain Expansion—so if someone was able to successfully attack Sukuna, they could get out of Malevolent Expansion.

Section 5 of 6:

Malevolent Shrine vs. Unlimited Void

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1. 
   Malevolent Shrine and Unlimited Void are equally powerful. Only Gojo Satoru’s Domain Expansion, Unlimited Void, has a chance of standing up to Ryomen Sukuna’s Malevolent Shrine. These two sorcerers met during the Shinjuku Showdown arc, pitting these powerful Domain Expansions against each other.

   • While the two domains proved equally strong, Sukuna is ultimately able to defeat Gojo because his domain has more range, and Sukuna is able to slash through Unlimited Void’s barrier.
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Section 6 of 6:

Who is Ryomen Sukuna in JJK?

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1. 
   Ryomen Sukuna, aka King of Curses, is the strongest sorcerer in JJK. He originally became a sorcerer over 1,000 years before the events of Jujutsu Kaisen take place. After his death, this four-armed, four-eyed sorcerer put his spirit into his 20 fingers, which became “cursed objects,” sealing his power until he reincarnates in Yuji Itadori in the present day.

   • According to Burns, he's also the main villain in JJK.
   • Sukuna holds the most cursed energy of any sorcerer in the history of jujutsu, and he wields it ruthlessly.
   • Yuji is able to suppress Sukuna most of the time. However, Sukuna attempts to gain power by gathering his fingers, forcing Yuji to consume them. Yuji's domain expansion, adds Burns, is the same one as Sukuna's.

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