In the expansive universe of Jujutsu Kaisen, few characters have made such a profound impact in their limited screen time as Hiromi Higuruma. A former defense attorney turned sorcerer, Higuruma represents a unique intersection of justice, morality, and supernatural power that has captivated fans worldwide. This article delves deep into the character of Hiromi Higuruma, exploring his background, abilities, significance to the plot, and the themes he embodies within the critically acclaimed manga and anime series.
Who is Hiromi Higuruma?
Hiromi Higuruma stands as one of the most complex and morally nuanced characters introduced in the Culling Game arc of Jujutsu Kaisen. Before entering the supernatural world of jujutsu sorcery, Higuruma worked as a passionate defense attorney dedicated to upholding justice in a system he increasingly viewed as corrupt. His journey from legal defender to powerful sorcerer represents a dramatic transformation born from disillusionment and moral conviction.
Physically, Higuruma is depicted with long, unkempt dark hair and a perpetually weary expression that reflects his internal struggles. His appearance—often shown in tattered lawyer attire—symbolizes his transition from the structured world of law to the chaotic realm of cursed energy and supernatural conflict. Despite his intimidating presence, Higuruma maintains a calm, measured demeanor that betrays his analytical mind and unwavering sense of justice.
What makes Hiromi Higuruma particularly fascinating is how his legal background informs his approach to sorcery. Rather than abandoning his principles when entering the Culling Game, he adapts them, creating a domain expansion that quite literally puts his opponents on trial. This unique fusion of legal procedure and jujutsu sorcery makes him one of the most innovative characters in the series.
Higuruma's Backstory: From Attorney to Sorcerer
Hiromi Higuruma's path to becoming a sorcerer begins with his career as a defense attorney. Driven by idealistic notions of justice, he dedicated himself to defending the innocent and ensuring fair treatment under the law. However, his experiences in the Japanese legal system gradually eroded his faith in institutional justice.
The turning point in Higuruma's life came after a particularly devastating case where his client, despite being innocent, was convicted and later committed suicide in prison. This profound failure of the justice system he had devoted his life to broke something fundamental in Higuruma's worldview. His disillusionment was so complete that it manifested as intense negative emotions—the very conditions needed for cursed energy to develop within a non-sorcerer.
This transformation from ordinary human to sorcerer wasn't gradual but rather explosive. When Kenjaku initiated the Culling Game by awakening cursed techniques in non-sorcerers across Japan, Higuruma's latent potential was unleashed. His cursed technique—a reflection of his life's work and deepest values—emerged as a powerful domain specializing in judgment and retribution.
The tragedy of Higuruma's backstory lies in how his pursuit of justice through legal means ultimately failed him, yet paradoxically granted him supernatural powers to enact a more direct form of justice. This ironic twist underscores one of Jujutsu Kaisen's central themes: how systems meant to protect society often fail those they're designed to serve.
The Breaking Point: Higuruma's Disillusionment
Delving deeper into Higuruma's backstory reveals a pattern of increasing frustration with Japan's notoriously high conviction rate (over 99%) and the structural injustices he witnessed firsthand. As a defense attorney, Higuruma encountered case after case where procedural fairness was sacrificed for expedient convictions.
His breaking point came with the case of a young man accused of a crime with circumstantial evidence. Despite Higuruma's thorough defense, the court rushed to judgment, and his client was sentenced harshly. When evidence later emerged suggesting his client's innocence, the system refused to acknowledge its error. Shortly after, Higuruma learned of his client's suicide in detention—a death he felt personally responsible for.
This catastrophic failure haunted Higuruma, causing him to question everything he had worked for. He abandoned his law practice and retreated from society, his mind consumed by thoughts of a fundamentally broken system. It was in this state of profound despair and anger that his cursed energy began to manifest, making him receptive to Kenjaku's forced awakening of cursed techniques.
Judgeman: Higuruma's Shikigami and Cursed Technique
Central to Hiromi Higuruma's abilities is his unique shikigami called "Judgeman," a manifestation that perfectly embodies his background and worldview. Judgeman appears as a grotesque, giant entity wearing judicial robes and a blindfold—a twisted representation of Lady Justice herself. This shikigami serves as both judge and executioner within Higuruma's domain expansion.
Higuruma's cursed technique revolves around a concept brilliantly named "Deadly Sentencing." This technique allows him to establish rules of engagement that mimic a courtroom trial, complete with evidence presentation, judgment, and sentencing. What makes this technique particularly formidable is how it forces opponents to participate in a system where Higuruma—through his extensive legal knowledge—holds significant advantage.
His domain expansion, called "Death Sentence," transforms the battlefield into a courtroom where Judgeman presides. Within this domain, opponents must defend themselves against "charges" based on their past actions. If found guilty by Judgeman, penalties can include the confiscation of cursed techniques or the application of deadly punishment through Higuruma's executioner's sword.
What makes this ability particularly interesting within the Jujutsu Kaisen power system is how it subverts the traditional combat-focused domains. Rather than simply amplifying attack power, Higuruma's domain creates a space where physical strength may become secondary to moral standing and rhetorical skill—a reflection of his belief that true power should be governed by justice.
The Rules of Judgeman's Court
The genius of Higuruma's domain expansion lies in its complexity and fairness—despite its deadly potential. When an opponent enters his domain, they become subject to a trial procedure with specific rules:
- Evidence Examination: Judgeman reviews the "evidence" of the opponent's past actions, seemingly able to access memories or facts about their history.
- Charge Declaration: Based on this evidence, a specific charge is levied against the opponent.
- Defense Opportunity: The opponent is granted an opportunity to defend themselves against the charge, though without legal knowledge, most find this difficult.
- Judgment Rendering: Judgeman delivers a verdict of either innocent or guilty.
- Sentencing Phase: If found guilty, a punishment is determined, ranging from confiscation of cursed techniques to capital punishment.
What makes these proceedings fascinating is that they operate with a twisted but consistent internal logic. The rules aren't arbitrary but follow legal principles that Higuruma deeply understands. This creates strategic depth for both Higuruma and his opponents, as understanding the system becomes key to survival within his domain.
Hiromi Higuruma in the Culling Game
The Culling Game arc represents one of Jujutsu Kaisen's most complex narrative segments, and Hiromi Higuruma emerges as a pivotal player within this deadly tournament. As a participant with a substantial point count early in the game, he quickly established himself as one of the most formidable players in Tokyo Colony #1.
Higuruma's approach to the Culling Game differs significantly from most participants. Rather than killing indiscriminately to accumulate points, he establishes a personal code of justice. He only passes judgment on those he deems truly deserving of punishment, often sparing those he considers morally innocent despite the game's incentive structure encouraging maximum casualties.
This selective approach to the game's violence reflects Higuruma's continued commitment to justice, even within the morally corrupt framework of the Culling Game. It demonstrates how his character maintains consistency from his pre-sorcerer days, albeit with methods that have evolved to match his new capabilities.
The strategic importance of Higuruma within the Culling Game becomes fully apparent when Yuji Itadori, the series protagonist, specifically seeks him out. Recognizing Higuruma's substantial point accumulation and potential as an ally, Yuji believes that convincing him to cooperate could significantly impact the game's outcome. This positioning makes Higuruma not just a powerful combatant but a kingmaker figure whose allegiance could shift the balance of power.
The Confrontation with Yuji Itadori
The much-anticipated meeting between Hiromi Higuruma and Yuji Itadori represents one of the most philosophically rich confrontations in Jujutsu Kaisen. When Yuji enters Tokyo Colony #1 seeking Higuruma's cooperation, he eventually finds himself subjected to the former lawyer's domain expansion and judicial process.
Within Judgeman's court, Yuji is initially charged with a minor infraction, which he manages to defend against. However, the true tension emerges when he faces a second trial for the deaths caused by Sukuna—the King of Curses temporarily possessing Yuji's body. This places Yuji in the impossible position of being technically innocent (as he wasn't in control) while bearing the moral weight of these deaths.
Their confrontation evolves beyond simple combat into a profound ethical discussion about responsibility, justice, and atonement. Higuruma, despite his fearsome abilities, demonstrates remarkable empathy and moral nuance as he comes to understand Yuji's unique predicament. Eventually, after testing both Yuji's combat ability and moral character, Higuruma makes the crucial decision to ally with him rather than execute judgment.
This interaction showcases gmru the depth of Higuruma's character, revealing that despite his harsh exterior and seemingly absolute approach to justice, he retains the capacity for mercy and contextual judgment that made him a principled attorney before becoming a sorcerer.
The Symbolism Behind Hiromi Higuruma
Hiromi Higuruma's character is rich with symbolic elements that enhance the thematic depth of Jujutsu Kaisen. At the most obvious level, he represents the concept of justice itself—but a justice that has been corrupted and twisted by disillusionment. His transformation from attorney to sorcerer symbolizes the failure of institutional justice and the temptation to take justice into one's own hands.
The visual imagery associated with Higuruma reinforces these themes. His unkempt appearance and tattered suit symbolize the breakdown of formal systems, while Judgeman's blindfolded visage offers a dark parody of Lady Justice—suggesting that true blindness in justice isn't impartiality but willful ignorance of systemic failures.
Higuruma also embodies the manga's recurring theme of how trauma and negative emotions can become sources of power in the jujutsu world. His cursed technique directly manifests from his professional failures and personal tragedies, transforming his greatest pain into his most formidable strength—a pattern seen repeatedly throughout the series with various characters.
Perhaps most significantly, Higuruma represents the moral gray area that makes Jujutsu Kaisen's narrative so compelling. Neither hero nor villain, he operates according to a personal code that sometimes aligns with the protagonists' goals and sometimes conflicts with them. This moral complexity forces readers to question simplistic notions of right and wrong, especially in systems corrupted by power imbalances.
Justice vs. Revenge: Higuruma's Internal Conflict
At the heart of Hiromi Higuruma's character lies a fundamental tension between justice and revenge. As an attorney, he dedicated himself to justice through legitimate means, working within the system despite its flaws. As a sorcerer, the line between pursuing justice and exacting personal revenge becomes increasingly blurred.
This internal conflict manifests in how Higuruma conducts himself during the Culling Game. While he establishes himself as a feared executioner of the guilty, he struggles with questions about whether his actions truly serve justice or merely satisfy his own need for retribution against a world that failed him. This questioning adds depth to his character, preventing him from becoming a one-dimensional avatar of vengeance.
The visual representation of this conflict appears in his domain, where Judgeman (symbolizing impartial justice) coexists with the executioner's sword (representing direct, personal retribution). The tension between these two aspects of his power set reflects his ongoing internal struggle to determine where true justice lies in a fundamentally unjust world.
Higuruma's Fighting Style and Abilities
Beyond his domain expansion, Hiromi Higuruma demonstrates impressive combat capabilities that make him a formidable opponent in direct confrontation. His primary weapon outside his domain is a massive executioner's sword that manifests from his gavel—a visual representation of how justice ultimately becomes execution in his hands.
Higuruma's fighting style combines calculated strategy with explosive power. Despite being a relatively new sorcerer, he displays remarkable proficiency in controlling cursed energy, suggesting that his intense emotional conviction translates directly to supernatural strength. In combat, he tends to be methodical, analyzing opponents before committing to decisive strikes—a approach that mirrors his former career's emphasis on careful consideration of evidence.
What makes Higuruma particularly dangerous is his adaptability. When unable to use his domain expansion, he relies on conventional swordsmanship enhanced by cursed energy. His legal training gives him exceptional analytical abilities, allowing him to quickly identify opponents' weaknesses and adjust his strategies accordingly.
Most impressively, Higuruma demonstrates the rare ability to maintain his domain expansion for extended periods without experiencing the usual drain on cursed energy reserves. This exceptional stamina suggests that his connection to his cursed technique is unusually strong, likely due to how perfectly it aligns with his core identity and values.
Gavel and Executioner's Sword
The transformation of Higuruma's judge's gavel into an executioner's sword represents one of the most visually striking aspects of his abilities. This transformation symbolizes the transition from judgment to punishment—from the deliberative process of determining guilt to the immediate action of carrying out sentence.
The executioner's sword itself is a massive weapon that Higuruma wields with surprising dexterity. When empowered by cursed energy, it can deliver devastating blows capable of overwhelming even experienced jujutsu sorcerers. The sword serves as both a practical combat tool and a visual reminder of Higuruma's self-appointed role as judge, jury, and executioner.
What makes this weapon particularly interesting is how it represents the culmination of Higuruma's character arc. The gavel—symbol of a judge's authority within a structured legal system—becomes an instrument of direct violence, mirroring Higuruma's own transformation from working within the system to operating outside it.
Hiromi Higuruma's Impact on the Jujutsu Kaisen Narrative
Despite appearing relatively late in the series, Hiromi Higuruma has had a significant impact on Jujutsu Kaisen's overarching narrative. His introduction expanded the series' exploration of justice as a theme, moving beyond the jujutsu society's internal politics to examine broader questions about societal fairness and institutional corruption.
Higuruma's alliance with Yuji represents a critical turning point in the Culling Game arc, providing the protagonists with both tactical advantages (through his accumulated points) and philosophical insights. His perspective as someone who experienced both conventional society's failures and the brutal reality of the jujutsu world offers unique insights that challenge and develop the protagonists' worldviews.
Beyond his direct plot contributions, Higuruma's character enriches the series' thematic exploration of how trauma shapes power. His cursed technique—born directly from professional disillusionment—reinforces the manga's recurring suggestion that in the jujutsu world, one's greatest wounds often become sources of greatest strength, though at significant psychological cost.
Perhaps most importantly, Higuruma represents an important category of character within the Jujutsu Kaisen universe: the civilian-turned-sorcerer. His perspective as someone thrust into the supernatural world rather than raised within it provides a crucial counterpoint to characters who have always known about cursed energy and jujutsu society.
Parallels with Other Characters
Hiromi Higuruma shares interesting parallels with several other characters in Jujutsu Kaisen, enriching the narrative through these connections:
- Satoru Gojo: Both Higuruma and Gojo possess domain expansions that fundamentally alter the rules of combat. However, while Gojo's Infinite Void overwhelms opponents with infinite information, Higuruma's court subjects them to strict procedural rules—reflecting their contrasting approaches to power and justice.
- Megumi Fushiguro: Both characters utilize shikigami, but while Megumi's Divine Dogs and other shikigami serve primarily combative functions, Judgeman serves a judicial role—highlighting the difference between Megumi's direct approach to confrontation and Higuruma's more procedural methodology.
- Yuji Itadori: Both characters grapple with questions of justice and how to use their power responsibly. Their confrontation becomes meaningful precisely because they represent different approaches to similar moral questions.
These parallels and contrasts help position Higuruma within the broader character ecosystem of Jujutsu Kaisen, making his interactions with other characters particularly meaningful and thematically rich.
Fan Reception and Popularity
Since his introduction, Hiromi Higuruma has enjoyed considerable popularity among Jujutsu Kaisen fans. His unique design, compelling backstory, and morally complex characterization have resonated strongly with the audience. In official popularity polls, he has performed remarkably well for a relatively new character, demonstrating his impact on the fanbase.
Several factors contribute to Higuruma's popularity:
- Unique Power Set: His courtroom-themed abilities stand out in a genre often dominated by direct combat powers, offering fresh tactical and narrative possibilities.
- Moral Complexity: His position in the moral gray area between hero and villain appeals to fans who appreciate nuanced characterization.
- Professional Background: His history as a defense attorney provides a refreshing departure from the typical jujutsu sorcerer background, bringing real-world concerns about justice into the supernatural setting.
- Visual Design: His distinctive appearance—combining elements of traditional Japanese clothing with professional attire—creates a memorable visual impression that has inspired significant fan art.
Fan discussions often focus on Higuruma's potential future role in the series, with many speculating about his ultimate fate and whether he might become a more permanent ally to the protagonists. This ongoing interest speaks to the character's depth and the narrative possibilities he represents.
Merchandise and Media Presence
Following his popularity surge, Hiromi Higuruma has appeared in various official merchandise lines, including figures, keychains, and promotional artwork. His distinctive design makes him particularly suitable for collectible items, and products featuring him have sold well among the fanbase.
In digital media, Higuruma has been featured prominently in promotional materials for the manga volumes covering the Culling Game arc. Fan-created content including artwork, analysis videos, and character studies further demonstrate his impact on the community. This widespread presence across official and fan-created media solidifies his position as one of the series' standout supporting characters.
Key Takeaways About Hiromi Higuruma
To summarize the most important aspects of Hiromi Higuruma's character:
- Professional Background: Former defense attorney whose disillusionment with the justice system led to his development as a sorcerer
- Cursed Technique: Deadly Sentencing, which allows him to conduct supernatural trials through his domain expansion
- Signature Shikigami: Judgeman, who presides over his domain and determines guilt or innocence
- Moral Positioning: Operates in a gray area, neither fully aligned with heroes nor villains
- Narrative Significance: Represents the failure of institutional justice and the temptation of personal retribution
- Character Development: Evolves from rigid application of personal justice to a more nuanced understanding through his interaction with Yuji
- Combat Style: Uses a massive executioner's sword transformed from a judge's gavel, combining analytical strategy with powerful strikes
- Thematic Importance: Expands the series' exploration of justice, trauma, and power
These elements combine to make Hiromi Higuruma one of Jujutsu Kaisen's most complex and compelling supporting characters, whose influence extends beyond his limited appearances.
Hiromi Higuruma in the Broader Context of Manga and Anime
Hiromi Higuruma represents an interesting addition to the tradition of legally-themed characters in Japanese manga and anime. While courtroom dramas constitute their own genre in Japanese media (often called "legal mystery"), the integration of legal themes into supernatural battle manga is relatively uncommon, making Higuruma's character a refreshing innovation.
His character can be viewed as part of a broader trend in contemporary manga toward incorporating professional expertise into character design. Rather than being defined solely by their combat abilities, many modern manga characters bring specialized knowledge from various fields—in Higuruma's case, legal expertise—that shapes how they approach conflicts.
Within the battle shonen genre specifically, Higuruma exemplifies the trend toward more morally complex antagonists who challenge protagonists intellectually and philosophically rather than simply through superior strength. This evolution reflects the maturing of the genre and its audience, who increasingly expect narrative depth alongside spectacular combat sequences.
Jujutsu Kaisen author Gege Akutami's choice to incorporate legal themes through Higuruma also speaks to the manga's broader interest in systemic issues and institutional failures. Throughout the series, characters confront problems that cannot be solved through combat alone, requiring them to navigate complex power structures and ethical dilemmas—themes that Higuruma's character embodies perfectly.
The Future of Hiromi Higuruma in Jujutsu Kaisen
As Jujutsu Kaisen continues to unfold, fans eagerly anticipate Hiromi Higuruma's future role in the narrative. Several possibilities exist for his character development:
- Continued Alliance: Higuruma could maintain his alliance with Yuji and the protagonists, contributing his unique abilities and perspective to their cause.
- Tragic Sacrifice: Given his status as a morally complex character who has already experienced significant trauma, Higuruma might be positioned for a redemptive sacrifice that furthers the protagonists' goals.
- Independent Actor: He might pursue an independent agenda neither fully aligned with the protagonists nor antagonists, serving as a wild card whose actions shift the balance of power at crucial moments.
- Evolution Beyond Vengeance: His character arc might focus on moving beyond his initial motivation of disillusionment and revenge toward a more constructive vision of justice.
Regardless of his ultimate fate, Higuruma's presence in the story has already significantly enriched Jujutsu Kaisen's thematic exploration of justice, institutional failure, and personal responsibility. His legacy will likely continue to influence how these themes develop throughout the remainder of the series.
Conclusion
Hiromi Higuruma stands as one of Jujutsu Kaisen's most intellectually and emotionally compelling characters. His journey from idealistic defense attorney to disillusioned sorcerer encapsulates many of the series' central themes about justice, power, and the failure of institutions to protect the vulnerable. Through his unique abilities, moral complexity, and philosophical depth, Higuruma transcends the role of temporary antagonist to become a character whose influence resonates throughout the narrative.
What makes Higuruma particularly significant is how he bridges the gap between the ordinary world and the supernatural reality of jujutsu. His experiences in the conventional legal system inform his approach to supernatural conflict, creating a character who brings real-world concerns about justice and fairness into a fantastical setting. This grounding in recognizable human experience makes his supernatural abilities all the more meaningful and his moral dilemmas all the more resonant.
As Jujutsu Kaisen continues to explore the consequences of the Culling Game and beyond, Hiromi Higuruma remains a character whose presence has permanently altered both the narrative trajectory and thematic landscape of the series. Whether as ally, antagonist, or something in between, his pursuit of justice in an unjust world continues to raise essential questions that lie at the heart of the story.
FAQ About Hiromi Higuruma
Q: When was Hiromi Higuruma first introduced in Jujutsu Kaisen? A: Hiromi Higuruma was first introduced during the Culling Game arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, specifically as a major player in Tokyo Colony #1.
Q: Is Higuruma considered a villain in Jujutsu Kaisen? A: Higuruma exists in a moral gray area rather than being clearly heroic or villainous. While his methods can be extreme, his underlying desire for justice aligns him more with an anti-hero position than a true villain.
Q: What is the name of Higuruma's domain expansion? A: Higuruma's domain expansion is called "Death Sentence," which transforms the surroundings into a courtroom where his shikigami Judgeman presides.
Q: Can Higuruma's cursed technique take away other sorcerers' abilities? A: Yes, one possible outcome of being found guilty in Higuruma's domain is the confiscation of the defendant's cursed technique, temporarily rendering them unable to use their supernatural abilities.
Q: Does Higuruma appear in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime? A: As of mid-2025, Hiromi Higuruma has not yet appeared in the anime adaptation, as the anime has not reached the Culling Game arc. However, fans anticipate his appearance in future seasons.
Q: What is the relationship between Yuji Itadori and Hiromi Higuruma? A: After initially confronting each other as opponents in the Culling Game, Yuji and Higuruma develop a reluctant alliance based on mutual understanding of each other's moral positions and shared goals regarding the game's rules.
Q: What happened to Higuruma before he became a sorcerer? A: Before becoming a sorcerer, Higuruma was a defense attorney who became disillusioned with the justice system after losing a case where his innocent client was convicted and subsequently committed suicide in prison.
Q: Why is Judgeman blindfolded? A: Judgeman's blindfold references the traditional depiction of Lady Justice, whose blindfold represents impartiality. However, in Higuruma's case, it may also symbolize his view that justice system is "blind" to true justice.