At the end of my last review of Jujutsu Kaisen I assumed Hiromi Higuruma was a soul less mass murdered. It turns out he’s not or at least he use to have morals. In Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 159, “Judgement,” Gege Akutami explores the corruption in the justice system. Higuruma was a public defender, struggling to represent clients against a rigged system. The chapter presents Higuruma as “never changing.” A public servant is disadvantaged in a court that pits independent defense lawyers against the better funded and staffed public prosecutors. Higuruma claims he’s always had a strong sense of right and wrong. He understands the law isn’t impartial, it’s unfair and real people suffer.

Baring witness to this system and it’s consequences takes a toll on public defenders too. Why do they bother? Is there any hope? I’ve heard Japan has a near perfect conviction rate and Gege Akutami claims “99.9 % of criminal trails end in a guilty verdict.” While, that statistic is an exaggeration the point still stands, Higuruma’s clients were “branded guilty from the start.” Outside of court the lives of Higuruma clients aren’t much freer. The police illegally question them and crime is so common that Higuruma suspects that the murder weapon was just “lying around.” His client, Keita Oe works a live-in job for a shady non-profit. They make their employees work without wages, while paying them rent. Their not allowed to own cats, call the police or ambulances.

Hiromi Higuruma calls a retrial

Higuruma manages to get Oe an innocent verdict. He’s certain it will be appealed. It is and Oe is convicted and giving life imprison. Overwhelmed, Higuruma calls court into session after an petition for a final ends in disappointment. He claims they’re having a “retrial” as a curse spirit appears behind him. As we know, curses are created from negative human emotions. The criminal court is certainly a perfect source of negative emotions. I suspect that Higuruma will become like Light Yagami from Death Note, using the curse spirit to exact his own justice. Of course this would require Higuruma to have the ability to manipulate curses like Suguru Geto. Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 159 introduces another interesting character with Hiromi Higuruma. It’s possible Yuji will be able to reach him and finally provide some justice.