In the ever-evolving world of anime memes, few have captured the chaotic spirit of fandom quite like Thukuna. This absurdly endearing nickname for a one-toothed version of Ryomen Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen has exploded across platforms like TikTok, Reddit, and X, blending horror with hilarity in the most unexpected way. Born from a simple Photoshop edit and a playful lisp on “Sukuna,” Thukuna represents the pinnacle of fan creativity—turning the fearsome King of Curses into a lisping, toothless icon of comedy. As of November 2025, Thukuna memes continue to dominate viral feeds, inspiring fan art, Roblox avatars, and even AI chatbots. This in-depth guide explores the origins of Thukuna, its meteoric rise, cultural impact, and why it’s the meme we didn’t know we needed. Whether you’re a Jujutsu Kaisen die-hard or just dipping your toes into anime humor, dive into the world of Thukuna and discover how a single missing tooth sparked a meme revolution.
Origins of Thukuna: From Sukuna’s Grin to Meme Gold
The Birth of the One-Tooth Curse
Thukuna’s story begins with Ryomen Sukuna, the four-armed, tattooed antagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen—a shonen series by Gege Akutami that has amassed over 90 million manga copies worldwide since its 2018 debut. Sukuna’s signature four-eyed, smirking visage is synonymous with terror, wielding cursed techniques like Dismantle and his Domain Expansion, Malevolent Shrine. But in late 2023, fans flipped the script with a Photoshop edit stripping him down to just one or two teeth, creating a derpy, vulnerable version that lisps his own name into “Thukuna.”
The earliest documented Thukuna meme surfaced on October 7, 2023, via a TikTok video by @satorugojodayo, featuring the edited image in a humorous context and racking up over 15,000 views. This sparked a wave of similar edits, where Sukuna’s menacing mouth was reduced to a goofy gap-toothed smile, evoking everything from a shocked toddler to a cursed kindergartener. The lisp element? Pure genius—pronouncing “Sukuna” with a missing tooth naturally becomes “Thukuna,” amplifying the comedy through phonetic absurdity.
Photoshop Shenanigans and Early Spread
By December 2023, X user @gearfivehotdogs amplified the trend with a thread of Jujutsu Kaisen characters sporting “bad teeth,” including multiple Thukuna variants that garnered over 2,500 likes. These images weren’t just sloppy edits; they were meticulously crafted to retain Sukuna’s tattoos and eyes while exaggerating the toothless grin, often paired with captions like “Thukuna thtaring contest” or “One Tooth Sukuna vs. Gojo.” The meme’s appeal lies in subverting Sukuna’s god-like status—fans love humanizing villains, and Thukuna delivers that in spades, turning existential dread into relatable dental disasters.
The Viral Explosion: Thukuna’s Journey Across Platforms
TikTok and Reddit: Ground Zero for Virality
Thukuna hit escape velocity in April 2024, when TikToker @sk1cx1 posted a phone wallpaper edit of the meme, blending it with aesthetic vibes and exploding to 340,000 views in two weeks. This ignited a frenzy: stitches, duets, and sound challenges featuring voiceovers of Thukuna “speaking” with a lisp, like “I am the Kingth of Curtheth!” Reddit’s r/Jujutsufolk and r/LobotomyKaisen subreddits became meme factories, with posts like “THUKUNA” (a play on “THIGIRAKI” from My Hero Academia) earning dozens of upvotes and comments debating its superiority over other edits.
On X, hashtags like #Thukuna trended sporadically through 2024, with users sharing reaction images of “Sukuna shocked face” or “Thukuna disgusted” for everyday fails. By mid-2025, the meme had evolved into crossovers, pitting Thukuna against Gojo Satoru in mock battles or imagining him as a “curse baby” in fanfics.
Gaming and Merch: Thukuna Goes Commercial
Thukuna’s charm didn’t stop at static images. In Roblox’s Anime Spirits game, “Thukuna” became a summonable unit and world boss, complete with a showcase video tutorial on how to obtain it via raids on Jujutsu Kaisen Island. Players grind for “Thukuna Scrolls” to awaken the soul, turning the meme into a meta-game element that rewards lore knowledge with laughs. Merch exploded too: Etsy shops sell Thukuna-themed shoulder bags, stickers, and enamel pins, while Pinterest boards curate “Cursed Sukuna Images” with thousands of saves.
Even AI got in on it. Character.ai hosts a Thukuna chatbot—the “one-tooth curse king” dishing out sassy, lisping banter about cursed energy. And on YouTube, videos like “Thukuna vs Gojo” VR skits or “Sukuna (Thukuna) voice funny” compilations pull millions of views, cementing its multimedia dominance.
Fan Art and Community Creations
Fan artists on Reddit’s r/learntodraw poured hours into Thukuna illustrations, from menacing stares to goofy smiles, with one post hitting 81 upvotes. Fandom wikis like Jujutsu Kaisen’s discuss its “discovery,” while Lemon8 posts analyze its role as social commentary on fandom identity. This grassroots creativity underscores Thukuna’s staying power—it’s not just a meme; it’s a collaborative canvas.
Cultural Impact: Why Thukuna Resonates in 2025
Subverting Anime Tropes and Fandom Fatigue
In a year where Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 hype peaks with the Culling Game arc, Thukuna offers comic relief from the series’ dark themes of mortality and power. Memes like this humanize icons, much like “Distracted Boyfriend” did for stock photos, fostering community amid binge-watching burnout. As one Reddit user quipped, “You’ve heard of Thukuna, now get ready for THIGIRAKI!”—highlighting its role in inter-anime banter.
Thukuna also taps into broader internet culture: the “cursed image” genre, where horror twists into hilarity, echoing trends like “One Tooth SpongeBob” or “Goblin Mode.” Psychologically, it provides catharsis—laughing at Sukuna’s vulnerability mirrors fans’ own “gap-toothed” insecurities, building empathy in echo chambers.
Global Reach and Inclusivity
Thukuna transcends borders, with Spanish-speaking fans dubbing it “Thukuna el rey de las maldiciones” and English creators spawning “Thukuna cake” edits. Its low-barrier entry—anyone with Photoshop can join—democratizes meme-making, especially for Gen Z and Alpha creators on TikTok. By 2025, it’s influenced merchandise lines at conventions like Anime Expo, where Thukuna cosplays (complete with fake gaps) steal the show.
Challenges and Evolutions
Not all evolutions stick; some “Thukuna” variants, like the “curse baby” on Shapes.inc, veer into niche territory, but core images endure. Critics note potential ableism in dental jokes, yet the community’s self-aware humor keeps it light-hearted.
Creating Your Own Thukuna Meme: A Step-by-Step Guide
Tools and Tips for Aspiring Memers
Start with free tools like GIMP or Canva: Download a Sukuna base image from Jujutsu Kaisen wikis, then erase teeth for that signature lisp-look. Add text overlays like “Thukuna after brushing” using Impact font. For video, CapCut’s lisp filters amp up the audio gag.
Best Practices and Hashtags
Post on r/Jujutsufolk for feedback, using #Thukuna #SukunaMeme #JJK. Track trends via Know Your Meme for fresh spins. Remember: The funnier the caption, the faster the shares.
The Future of Thukuna: Eternal King of Memes?
As Jujutsu Kaisen barrels toward its finale, Thukuna’s legacy seems tooth-proof. With Roblox integrations and potential cameos in fan animations, it’s poised for 2026 dominance. In a digital landscape craving levity, Thukuna reminds us: Even kings can lisp. Whether you’re editing your next viral hit or just chuckling at “One Tooth Sukuna,” this meme proves anime’s power to unite through absurdity. Join the curtheth—er, curses—and let Thukuna thmile upon your feed.
