The air crackled as Yuji felt the force of Hakari’s cursed energy – not a smooth wave, but a jagged, serrated edge tearing at his skin. Even Gojo had admitted Hakari held the potential to surpass him, a sentiment that felt less like hype and more like a grim prophecy in this moment. The Culling Game was already a bloodbath; was Hakari the ace or the wild card?
Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen has always been a masterclass in character development. From the flamboyant Gojo to the cursed spirit Jogo, each character adds a unique layer to this intricate world. But it’s Kinji Hakari, the suspended Jujutsu High student, who’s been creating a buzz and is set to make a grand entrance in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3. What makes Hakari so special that even Gojo Satoru sees him as a potential rival? Let’s explore everything we know about this intriguing character.
Spoilers Warning:
This article contains spoilers about Hakari from JJK. Read at your own discretion if you want to learn more about his character.
Who Is Kinji Hakari?
Ever walked into a room and sensed an immediate, unpredictable energy? That’s Hakari.
Kinji Hakari is a third-year student at Tokyo Jujutsu High, making him a senior to Yuji, Megumi, and Yuta. Currently, he’s under suspension for a clash with the higher-ups. Think of him as the rebellious maverick of the Jujutsu world.
Despite his delinquent status, Hakari remains on the side of the sorcerers. Gojo recognizes Hakari’s immense potential, even suggesting he could one day rival him. Inspired by David Fincher’s Fight Club (available on platforms like Amazon Prime Video), Akutami depicts Hakari running a Gachinko Fight Club during his suspension—a clear nod to the film’s underground fighting scene.
During the Culling Games, Maki tasks Yuji and Megumi with recruiting Hakari. After an initial refusal and a subsequent clash with Yuji, Hakari agrees to join the deadly game.
Who Is Hakari’s Girlfriend?
Relationships can be a battlefield, especially in the world of Jujutsu sorcerers.
Kirara Hoshi is Kinji Hakari’s girlfriend. She is also a third-year student at Tokyo Jujutsu High School. After Hakari’s suspension, Kirara stayed by his side, helping him run the Gachinko Fight Club. Kirara is a powerful sorcerer with a complex cursed technique called “Love Rendezvous.”
While their relationship isn’t explicitly stated, it’s heavily implied that Kirara is deeply in love with Hakari.
What Are Hakari’s Powers?
Ever wondered what it takes to be considered a prodigy in a world filled with cursed spirits and extraordinary abilities?
Even before his official introduction, Hakari was teased as one of the strongest sorcerers of the new generation. Praised by his peers and acknowledged by Gojo, Yuta even admitted that Hakari in top form could be stronger than him. His powers range from unique cursed energy to exceptional combat skills.
Let’s break down Hakari’s abilities:
Cursed Technique
As a gambler at heart, Hakari’s innate CT is based on Pachinko, a Japanese gambling machine. His technique, “Private Pure Love Train,” is themed after a romance manga. This technique comes to life through his domain expansion, which we’ll explore further.
What is Hakari’s Cursed Energy Like?
Imagine running your hand along a perfectly smooth surface, then suddenly encountering a razor-sharp edge. That’s the difference with Hakari’s cursed energy.
Hakari’s cursed energy is different from other sorcerers. Gojo describes it as having sharp edges. When Hakari imbues his physical attacks with this energy, it feels like being hit with a serrated bat, as Yuji experienced. This grants him an extra advantage in combat.
Fighting Style
Hakari is an expert in hand-to-hand combat, following in the footsteps of Gojo and Yuji. His unique cursed energy texture makes him a standout close-quarters combatant. He seamlessly switches between master strategist and all-out brawler, adapting to any situation. His tactical and combat skills consistently give him the upper hand.
Hakari’s Domain Expansion: Idle Death Gamble
Some call it luck, others call it fate. But when Hakari activates his Domain Expansion, it’s like the universe itself is rigged in his favor.
Hakari’s Domain Expansion, “Idle Death Gamble,” is one of the most formidable in the series. Within his domain, luck is always on his side, allowing him to achieve incredible feats. It transforms his surroundings into a casino-like railway station. The guaranteed hit attack isn’t life-ending but a message explaining how the domain works. Hakari must spin the machine and hit the same number three times to win a jackpot. His chance of hitting the jackpot is 1/239.
Transformation
When Hakari uses his Domain Expansion, the area changes into a railway station with elements of a casino. His guaranteed hit provides information to the opponent about how the domain works, not a fatal blow. He has to spin the slot machine and get three matching numbers to win the jackpot, which has a probability of 1/239.
Gambling Rules
To hit the jackpot, Hakari must navigate a complex set of rules. Despite the odds, Hakari’s luck often defies expectations. He claims he rarely needs more than thirty spins to hit a jackpot. His inherent luck significantly boosts his domain expansion’s effectiveness.
Unkillable Mode
What happens when Hakari hits the jackpot? He enters an “unkillable mode,” accompanied by a background song. He gains an infinite supply of cursed energy, and his Reversed Cursed Technique automatically heals all damage. During this mode, he’s essentially immortal.
This mode lasts for four minutes and eleven seconds, the length of “Admiring You,” the theme song from the Private Pure Love Train romance series.
In unkillable mode, Hakari becomes a force to be reckoned with, potentially reaching special-grade status.
If you’re meeting Hakari for the first time in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, prepare yourself. This gambling sorcerer’s unique abilities are a sight to behold. Given all his potential, does Hakari’s reliance on luck make him stronger or weaker in the grand scheme?