In the world of anime and manga, cursed weapons are more than just tools—they’re often living entities with dark histories, intense powers, and ominous fates for their wielders. Two of the most iconic cursed weapons in recent popular culture are Zoro’s Sandai Kitetsu from One Piece and Toji Fushiguro’s Inverted Spear of Heaven from Jujutsu Kaisen. Each of these weapons comes with its own mythos and is feared for unique reasons. But when comparing them, which one is truly more cursed? Let’s examine the origin, powers, and dangers associated with each weapon to decide.
The Origins of the Sandai Kitetsu
The Sandai Kitetsu is part of a trilogy of cursed swords crafted by the swordsmith Kitetsu in One Piece. It’s known as the Third Generation Kitetsu and is the least powerful of the Kitetsu lineage, but it’s still highly feared for its “bloodthirst.” This sword has a reputation for causing misfortune and even death to those who wield it. Despite its curse, Roronoa Zoro, the swordsman from the Straw Hat Pirates, decides to test his luck and takes up the blade.
The Dark Legacy of Kitetsu Blades
The curse of the Kitetsu swords is rooted in the violent and tragic fates that have befallen each of their wielders. Legend has it that Kitetsu, the creator of these swords, poured his malice into their creation, which resulted in blades that “want to kill.” This legacy of bloodshed has followed each of the Kitetsu swords and is what makes them cursed. The Sandai Kitetsu may be the weakest among the cursed Kitetsu swords, but it retains that same thirst for blood.
The Powers and Abilities of Sandai Kitetsu
Despite its reputation as a “weaker” Kitetsu sword, the Sandai Kitetsu is still incredibly powerful. In One Piece, cursed swords often have a mind of their own, and Sandai Kitetsu is no exception. Its curse has a tendency to “pull” the user’s body in certain ways, often towards danger. This makes it a difficult blade to master, even for an experienced swordsman like Zoro.
The Bloodthirst and Will of Sandai Kitetsu
One of Sandai Kitetsu’s most cursed attributes is its bloodthirst. It’s said that the sword drives its wielder towards death, almost as if it craves battle and bloodshed. For Zoro, this characteristic fits his warrior mentality, but it also means that he constantly has to be on guard to control the sword’s violent tendencies. This bloodlust makes it both a dangerous weapon and a powerful ally for Zoro, who channels its curse to enhance his combat abilities.
The Dangers of Wielding Sandai Kitetsu
Sandai Kitetsu’s curse lies in its demand for blood. Its curse manifests in subtle ways, pushing its wielder toward risky, potentially fatal situations. Despite his immense strength and mastery, Zoro remains vulnerable to the sword’s influence. In fact, he risks becoming the sword’s next victim if he’s not vigilant, as the curse has led previous wielders to their deaths.
The Fatal Attraction of the Curse
Zoro’s encounter with Sandai Kitetsu is a daring one. In the Loguetown arc, he gambles with his fate by tossing the sword in the air and holding his arm out, testing if the curse will take his limb. When the sword miraculously misses, Zoro earns the respect of the blade, proving his resolve. However, the sword’s curse is still ever-present, lying dormant yet potent, threatening to strike when Zoro lets his guard down.
The Origins of Toji Fushiguro’s Inverted Spear of Heaven
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Toji Fushiguro’s Inverted Spear of Heaven is a unique cursed tool with one of the most distinct and ominous powers in the series. Unlike typical cursed weapons that focus on enhancing physical prowess, this spear has the terrifying ability to nullify any form of cursed technique it touches. The Inverted Spear of Heaven was crafted with this purpose, making it highly coveted and feared.
The Creation and Purpose of the Spear
The origins of the Inverted Spear of Heaven are shrouded in mystery, but it’s known that it was crafted specifically to negate cursed techniques. This makes it a weapon that goes beyond mere physical damage, allowing its wielder to overcome opponents who rely on jujutsu. The spear's mere existence is an affront to jujutsu users, and its powers make it one of the most dangerous cursed tools in Jujutsu Kaisen.
The Powers and Abilities of the Inverted Spear of Heaven
The Inverted Spear of Heaven’s power to nullify cursed techniques makes it an invaluable weapon, especially in a world where jujutsu dominates. By merely making contact with the spear, any cursed technique is rendered useless. This nullifying effect puts even the most powerful sorcerers at risk, as it strips them of their abilities and leaves them vulnerable.
A Curse Against Cursed Techniques
Unlike most cursed weapons that enhance the user’s strength, the Inverted Spear of Heaven works by negating the opponent’s strength. Its curse is its ability to make jujutsu users powerless, creating a new layer of fear among those who encounter it. This ability doesn’t discriminate, and its curse affects both allies and enemies. For Toji Fushiguro, a non-sorcerer, this spear gives him an advantage against jujutsu sorcerers, allowing him to operate as an equal or even a superior force against them.
The Dangers of Wielding the Inverted Spear of Heaven
The Inverted Spear of Heaven may not have the same “bloodthirsty” nature as Sandai Kitetsu, but it is equally cursed in its own way. By nullifying all jujutsu, it represents a threat to the world of curses and sorcery. However, it’s an unpredictable weapon that requires immense skill to wield effectively, as it can disrupt even the wielder’s cursed energy. This makes it a risky tool for any sorcerer to handle.
The Consequences of Its Power
Toji Fushiguro, a non-sorcerer, wields the Inverted Spear of Heaven with expertise, but for any sorcerer, the spear is a double-edged sword. In the wrong hands, its nullification powers can be a curse that turns on the wielder, making them vulnerable to attacks they would normally be able to block or deflect. This unpredictability is a curse in itself, as the spear brings both power and the risk of complete vulnerability.
Which Weapon Is Truly More Cursed?
With both weapons carrying dark origins and immense power, it’s challenging to declare one as definitively more cursed than the other. However, we can examine their curses and how they impact their wielders to draw a conclusion.
The Curse of Death vs. The Curse of Nullification
Sandai Kitetsu embodies a curse of death, actively pulling its wielder towards deadly situations and requiring constant vigilance. Its curse is inherent, influencing the wielder’s fate and creating a dangerous thirst for blood. Zoro’s skill allows him to tame it, but the threat of misfortune and death remains as long as he carries the blade.
In contrast, the Inverted Spear of Heaven’s curse is its nullifying power, which turns it into a weapon that threatens both friend and foe. This curse doesn’t pull its wielder towards death but instead creates a power that could turn against the user if they rely too heavily on jujutsu. The spear’s curse is less about actively seeking harm and more about destabilizing its wielder’s defenses, which could lead to disastrous outcomes.
The Verdict: A Battle of Curses
Ultimately, while both weapons are cursed, Sandai Kitetsu’s curse seems more inherently dangerous to its wielder. The sword’s bloodthirsty nature and the legend of its deadly fate set a grim expectation for anyone who wields it, while the Inverted Spear of Heaven’s curse is rooted in its power to nullify, making it situationally dangerous but not inherently life-threatening.
Why Sandai Kitetsu Is More Cursed
Zoro’s Sandai Kitetsu actively endangers its user’s life, almost as if it has a mind of its own that seeks conflict. The blade’s curse lies not only in its power but in its temperament, making it a weapon that demands caution and control. For this reason, Sandai Kitetsu could be seen as “more cursed” than the Inverted Spear of Heaven, whose curse lies in the power it gives rather than a bloodthirsty personality.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Sandai Kitetsu’s curse is more direct and personal, affecting the wielder’s fate and potentially leading them to their death. The Inverted Spear of Heaven, while immensely powerful and dangerous, is a tool whose curse is more circumstantial, dependent on the context of its use. For anime fans fascinated by cursed weapons, both offer a dark allure, but Sandai Kitetsu’s malevolence and deadly reputation might just make it the more cursed of the two.
