Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 Episode 22

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 Episode 22 – “The Origin of Obedience”

Episode 22 of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1, titled “The Origin of Obedience,” marks the beginning of the series’ final mini-arc before the explosive finale. This episode combines supernatural investigation with rich character backstory, placing Megumi Fushiguro at the emotional center. The balance of eerie mystery, emotional tension, and character-driven storytelling makes this episode a standout in the season’s closing stretch.

Plot Summary

A String of Mysterious Deaths

The episode opens with a chilling sequence — a man is attacked by a cursed spirit at his apartment doorway, setting the tone for the episode’s darker atmosphere. Soon after, the first-year Jujutsu High students — Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaki — are assigned to investigate a series of similar deaths, each victim found near their front doors under strange circumstances.

The Case Leads to Megumi’s Past

Their investigation takes them to Saitama Urami East Junior High, where all the victims once attended. It’s soon revealed that Megumi himself went to this same school, much to the surprise of Yuji and Nobara. The two encounter local delinquents who immediately bow to Megumi, hinting at his intimidating reputation from his middle school days — a brief but funny moment that humanizes the stoic sorcerer.

Yasohachi Bridge and the Cursed Connection

As they dig deeper, the trio learns about a dangerous location known as Yasohachi Bridge, a site tied to several disappearances and urban legends. Years earlier, a group of students was found unconscious beneath it — and one of them was Tsumiki Fushiguro, Megumi’s beloved sister. Since then, Tsumiki has been in a mysterious coma, possibly due to a powerful curse born from that location.

Megumi, burdened by guilt, decides to face the curse alone to protect others. However, Yuji and Nobara, unwilling to abandon their friend, follow him into the haunted area.

Mahito and Geto’s Sinister Plan

Meanwhile, in a chilling subplot, Mahito and Suguru Geto continue their plan to use cursed objects called Cursed Wombs: Death Paintings to create human-curse hybrids. This subplot sets the stage for the next major confrontation and reminds viewers that the greater threat to humanity still lurks in the shadows.

Crossing Into the Domain

Under Yasohachi Bridge, the trio discovers a cursed barrier leading to a domain expansion — a twisted, otherworldly space filled with malice. The episode ends with Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi stepping into the unknown, ready to face the curse inside.

Key Moments

1. Opening Death Scene: The eerie beginning instantly sets a suspenseful tone and showcases MAPPA’s superb horror animation.
2. Megumi’s Middle School Reveal: A blend of humor and insight into Megumi’s mysterious past.
3. Tsumiki’s Backstory: Emotional weight is added as we learn about Megumi’s sister and his motivation for becoming a sorcerer.
4. The Bridge Investigation: The Yasohachi Bridge setting introduces classic Japanese horror ambiance — quiet, foreboding, and emotionally charged.
5. Team Bonding: Yuji and Nobara’s decision to follow Megumi highlights their loyalty and growth as a team.
6. Mahito’s Experimentation: A reminder of the overarching villainy in the series and the escalating danger to the protagonists.
7. Cliffhanger Ending: The trio entering the domain creates anticipation for the next episode’s battle.

Character Highlights

Megumi Fushiguro

This episode gives Megumi long-overdue emotional depth. His stoic nature hides deep affection for his sister and a strong moral code. His guilt over Tsumiki’s condition and his desire to face danger alone reveal the burden he carries as a sorcerer and a brother.

Yuji Itadori

Yuji continues to grow as both a fighter and a friend. His empathy and loyalty to his teammates demonstrate his leadership potential. Even without the focus on combat, his emotional intelligence and steadfast resolve shine through.

Nobara Kugisaki

Nobara maintains her signature mix of confidence and compassion. Her banter with Yuji provides humor, but her willingness to risk herself for Megumi reveals her caring nature beneath the bravado.

Mahito and Suguru Geto

Though appearing briefly, the villains’ presence looms large. Their manipulation of cursed wombs hints at a larger, sinister plan that will soon collide with the heroes’ mission.

Themes and Analysis

1. Facing the Past

Megumi’s return to his former school forces him to confront memories he’s avoided. The theme of unresolved trauma — embodied by his sister’s coma and the haunting curse — underscores the emotional depth of the series.

2. The Power of Friendship and Trust

Yuji and Nobara’s refusal to let Megumi fight alone highlights the strength of their bond. The episode celebrates solidarity — a recurring theme in Jujutsu Kaisen — where strength is found not in isolation but in unity.

3. The Nature of Curses

Curses are once again portrayed as manifestations of human suffering, fear, and guilt. The haunting at Yasohachi Bridge isn’t just supernatural; it symbolizes how negative emotions can linger and infect the world around us.

4. Duty vs. Compassion

Megumi’s internal conflict — balancing his duty as a sorcerer with his emotions as a brother — embodies one of Jujutsu Kaisen’s key moral struggles: how to remain human in a world consumed by curses.

Conclusion

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 Episode 22 expertly blends horror, mystery, and emotion. Rather than relying solely on combat, it deepens character relationships, explores personal trauma, and sets the stage for the dramatic climax to come. Megumi’s emotional journey, Yuji and Nobara’s steadfast loyalty, and the looming threat of Mahito and Geto together create an episode that’s as introspective as it is thrilling.

This installment reinforces what makes Jujutsu Kaisen stand out among modern anime: its ability to combine supernatural spectacle with deeply human storytelling.

Quick Summary

Cliffhanger: Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi enter a cursed domain together

Episode Title: “The Origin of Obedience”

Main Focus: Megumi Fushiguro’s past and his sister Tsumiki’s curse

Setting: Yasohachi Bridge — a haunted site linked to mysterious deaths

Main Events: Investigation of cursed deaths; Mahito and Geto’s cursed womb experiments; Megumi’s emotional confrontation with his past

Themes: Friendship, guilt, loyalty, and the unseen nature of curses