Of course, the internet loves to make the joke that the blindfold is just the ultimate anime drip or the quintessential case of “lazy author design.” However, the truth is that the blindfold plays an integral role in the survival of the character in the Jujutsu Kaisen series. This is because the blindfold is not simply cosmetic, nor is it necessarily symbolic or a handicap that Satoru Gojo chooses to place on himself.
The blindfold filters cursed energy perception
No, the simple truth is that the character’s brain simply does not function properly without the blindfold. This is, of course, because of the Six Eyes that the character possesses. This is a rare form of ocular jujutsu that allows the character to see cursed energy in great detail. This means that the character does not simply see the world around him; he sees the flow of energy and the movement of cursed energy everywhere he goes.
Even when his eyes are closed, the cursed energy blueprints are always working, processing the world around him. Of course, this is the problem, as the sheer volume of what the character is seeing would eventually burn out his brain if he did not have the blindfold to filter the information that he is processing. The blindfold is also associated with Limitless. For example, Infinity demands microscopic, almost atomic-level control. For Gojo to attain this, his Six Eyes need to be functioning at their best.
By putting on the blindfold, Gojo is able to keep his powers at a low state until he is required to fight. How does Gojo fight when he is blindfolded? According to Gege Akutami, the author of Jujutsu Kaisen, in an official fanbook, Gojo’s perception is that of high-definition thermography. He is able to see emissions of cursed energy, masses, and movement residues, not visible light. In addition, this perception is not interfered with by fabrics, thus rendering the blindfold useless.
The blindfold of Gojo has evolved greatly since the series started. In Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 0, Gojo wore white bandages on his head. This is a representation of a sorcerer’s style, which is traditional, thus depicting Gojo’s younger, less refined state. In Jujutsu Kaisen, this was replaced with a blindfold, which, according to Gege Akutami, was easier to draw and thus more modern. The importance of the blindfold is realized when Gojo removes it. This is when Gojo is not perceiving filtered reality. This is a psychological warning to both the reader and the antagonist that Gojo is at his best, followed by Infinite Void.
