Decoding Hana Kurusu And The Angel’s Cursed Technique Jacob’s Ladder In Jujutsu Kaisen

Warning: The following article contains major spoilers from the Jujutsu Kaisen manga. Read ahead at your own discretion!

Hana Kurusu may be the key to defeating Sukuna in the final arc of Jujutsu Kaisen. Before the Shinjuku Showdown, the Angel gives some advice on how to handle Sukuna and Kenjaku. Prior to Sukuna and Gojo’s fight, they should attack Kenjaku. Beating the King of Curses wouldn’t matter if Kenjaku managed to merge all of Japan’s humans with Tengen.

Following another encounter with Yuji, Maki, Choso, and Yuta, Hana Kurusu concurs with Tsukumo’s observations that the Angel’s technique ought to be able to extricate Sukuna from Megumi’s body in the event that their souls’ harmony is diminished and separated, guaranteeing her survival.

(JJK Chapter 251)

And that’s where Jacob’s ladder comes into play!

Jacob’s Ladder Explained

Jacob’s Ladder is an extension of the Angel’s innate cursed technique “Technique Extinguishment”, which is one of the strongest techniques in the series.

The most important reason for this is its ‘Nullification’ trait, which renders all techniques caught beneath its light absolutely null after the technique has been cast. Even if Gojo or Sukuna were to get caught up in the attack, they would also lose their techniques. That’s how OP it is!

This rule does not have any exceptions and applies to everything, even barricades and various Cursed Objects. Outside of discovering the back end, Technique Extinguishment is the only means to unlock the Prison Realm, meaning that no other form of Jujutsu can go beyond this.

This technique also includes incarnation reversal, which allows it to free incarnated sorcerers from their physical form. The odds of the vessel surviving this violent removal are low, but they will almost certainly die along with the incarnation.

When this technique is activated, it generates intense, radiant arrays of “all-purifying light” that can nullify any curse they encounter. These beams of light form into sharp-edged crosses that descend and pierce the target. Additionally, this light can envelop the user or be shaped into various objects, like the trumpet used to initiate Jacob’s Ladder.

Jacob’s Ladder is basically Technique Extinguishment when used to this maximum output. When employing this technique, a four-winged trumpet materializes in her hands, accompanied by an enormous circle of light forming in the sky above. The circle features a central heptagram and is bordered by incantations that resemble crosses.

Upon sounding the trumpet, a vast, wide pillar of light bursts forth from the center of the circle, engulfing everything below it and nullifying any techniques or abilities within its reach.

The Angel and Hana Kurusu used Jacob’s Ladder in an attempt to strip Sukuna from Megumi Fushiguro’s body in chapter 213.

Jacob’s Ladder unleashed a towering column of purifying light, fully enveloping Sukuna. The intense light inflicted injuries upon Sukuna and aggressively extracted cursed energy from Megumi’s body.

(JJK Chapter 213)

As Hana was on the verge of completely removing Sukuna, he cunningly tricked her into deactivating the technique by mimicking Megumi.

The reason why Hana Kurusu wanted to save Megumi is because Megumi saved her from a malevolent cursed spirit by luring her to a safe place. Thus falling for the boy, Hana resolved herself to become someone who helps others like Megumi helped her, to become worthy of one day standing by his side.

You can read the entire background of Hana Kurusu and her relationship to Megumi right here!

Jacob’s Ladder is actually a reference to Christiany, where it is referred to as a ladder leading to heaven that was featured in a dream that the prophet Jacob had.

The ladder of Jacob was one of the many symbols of God, and represents following the “straight path”. That is why angel refers to Sukuna as the fallen and believes reincarnated players go against the laws of God.

Jacob’s Ladder may not have worked on Sukuna initially but it did to unseal Gojo Satoru from the Prison Realm.

(JJK Chapter 221)

The Prison Realm literally nullifies all cursed techniques of users trapped inside. And from the outside, only a similar natured-technique can break it, thereby making Jacob Ladder one of the most insanely OP attacks ever!

But only Hana Kurusu and the Angel can use it effectively. Yuta tried to copy Jacob’s Labber and failed to cause sustainable damage to Sukuna, eventhough it helped Yuji to get in touch with Megumi’s soul just for a bit.

(JJK Chapter 251)

However, in chapter 263, Hana Kurusu used Maximum Output: Jacob’s Ladder on Sukuna point blank! And this time, she wouldn’t be manipulated by the King of Curses anymore, which brings us to the following question.

Can Hana Kurusu and Jacob’s Ladder save Megumi from Sukuna?

In the previous encounter, Hana’s intention was to kill both Sukuna and Megumi, as Sukuna was controlling Megumi’s body. If she had succeeded, Sukuna would have been eliminated. However, Angel’s affection for Megumi prevented Hana from going through with it.

In a flashback conversation between Yuta and Hana, we learn they have devised a new plan. Yuta assured Hana that she wouldn’t need to participate in the battle itself but only deliver the final blow strong enough to separate Sukuna from Megumi. If Hana successfully executes Jacob’s Ladder, she can free Megumi.

Yuji has already used multiple dismantles to weaken the barrier holding Sukuna’s and Megumi’s souls together. And Jacob’s Ladder might be the nail on the coffin.

However, despite these efforts, fans remain skeptical about Sukuna’s defeat. He previously handled the Hollow Purple off-screen and earned the title “king of curses” for his ability to overcome significant challenges, including defeating Yuta in Gojo’s body, albeit indirectly.

And Gege ain’t ending Jujutsu Kaisen too soon, so there’s a good chance Sukuna would survive and Megumi might actually die.