Jujutsu Kaisen: Maito's Influence and Yuji's Resolve

Overview of Maito

Maito: One of the most powerful curses in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Known for his sadistic enjoyment in ending human lives and enslaving humans, turning them into disfigured monsters.
During the Shibuya Arc, he sent these monsters to attack civilians, remarking that the fear "smelled good."
Notoriously killed three of Yuji's friends in front of him, constantly mocking him.
Maito's goal: To break Yuji's will completely.
Revealed to be a cowardly, hypocritical crybaby when pushed to his limit.

Background on Junpei:
- A regular high schooler outward but had a troubled life.
- Experienced severe bullying and had cigarette burns on his forehead.
Maito uses Junpei's hatred and insecurities to manipulate him.
Maito's origin: Born from humanity's hatred for each other.
Manipulations led Junpei to believe Maito wasn’t entirely bad.
Junpei met Yuji, who showed him kindness, shifting Junpei's perspective momentarily.
Maito planted Sukuna’s finger in Junpei's house, leading to the curse killing Junpei’s mother.
This pushed Junpei over the edge, leading him to attack his bully, Sho.
Yuji intervened, calming Junpei down and offering him a place at Jujutsu High.

Key encounters:
- Maito intervenes and transfigures Junpei into a monster, leading to Junpei’s death in front of Yuji.
- Yuji's punch harms Maito, hitting his soul and developing Maito's hatred for Yuji.
- Yuji battles Maito, vowing to kill him after multiple conflicts.

Maito’s new plan during the Shibuya Incident was to eliminate humans for curses to rule, initially planning to release Sukuna but shifting his plan after Gojo was trapped.
Maito encounters several characters, crucially killing Nanami in front of Yuji.
Key battles:
- Yuji fights Maito, who mocks and provokes Yuji throughout the battle.
- Emotional trigger: Maito shows a puppet of Junpei to Yuji, leading to a fierce reaction.
- Maito's clone encounters Nobara and learns she’s close to Yuji.
- Nobara's technique, Resonance, hurts Maito’s soul and gives Yuji an advantage.
- Despite the advantage, Maito transforms No’s face, leading to an emotional breakdown in Yuji.

Toto appears to save Yuji, providing motivational support and teaming up against Maito.
Toto's technique of switching confuses Maito initially but is eventually overcome.
Maito's domain expansion inspired by Gojo is used to avoid death by Sukuna and injures Toto.
Maito’s awakened state makes him nearly invincible, but Yuji and Toto’s strategy leads to a critical Black Flash blow from Yuji.
Final moments:
- Yuji accepts he is similar to Maito, leading to an emotional and psychological break in Maito.
- Yuji vows to kill Maito, no matter how many times he is reborn, terrifying Maito to his core.

Maito’s character arc shows his manipulative and cowardly nature contrasted with Yuji’s resolve and acceptance of his dark side to battle Maito effectively.
The narrative highlights themes of hate, manipulation, friendship, and inner strength, culminating in a dramatic and emotional conflict.