Naoya Zenin is not alive in the traditional sense, having undergone a significant transformation after his death.
Naoya Zenin's Demise and Transformation
Naoya Zenin, a notable sorcerer, met his end when he was stabbed with a knife by Maki Zenin's mother. Crucially, this act was carried out without the use of any jujutsu. This particular manner of death, involving a sorcerer being killed by a non-jujutsu attack, played a pivotal role in his subsequent existence.
According to the unique rules of the Jujutsu Kaisen world:
- Sorcerers who are killed without jujutsu have a higher likelihood of becoming vengeful spirits.
- Non-sorcerers can transform into curses if their deaths are cursed.
Because Naoya was a sorcerer and his death was not caused by jujutsu, he returned as a vengeful spirit. This transformation allowed him to persist as a powerful supernatural entity within the series, taking on various forms as he evolved.
The Nature of Vengeful Spirits
In the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, the type of spiritual entity an individual becomes after death depends heavily on their status and how they died. Naoya's case provides a clear illustration of the distinction between different forms of spiritual entities:
| Entity Type | Origin/Cause | Example (from Naoya's case) |
|---|---|---|
| Vengeful Spirit | Sorcerers who are killed without the use of jujutsu. | Naoya Zenin, a sorcerer, was killed by a knife stab from a non-jujutsu user (Maki's mother). |
| Cursed Spirit | Non-sorcerers whose deaths are cursed, or accumulation of negative human emotions. | Distinct from the specific transformation Naoya underwent. |
Naoya's Current Status
Following his death and transformation, Naoya Zenin existed as a formidable vengeful spirit, eventually evolving into an even more powerful cursed spirit. While no longer conventionally alive, his presence and actions as a spiritual entity significantly impacted the storyline. His existence after death serves as a key example of the intricate lore surrounding life, death, and cursed energy in the series.
