Human Earthworm 4 stands as one of the most peculiar and memorable pop culture references within the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. While fans of the series often find themselves embroiled in the high-stakes battles between sorcerers and cursed spirits, the author, Gege Akutami, frequently interjects these intense moments with glimpses into the mundane and often absurd interests of the characters. Among these, the obsession of the protagonist, Yuji Itadori, with a fictional B-movie franchise known as Human Earthworm (or Jinrui Mimizu) provides a unique layer to his character and the world-building of the series.

Despite appearing briefly in the narrative, Human Earthworm 4 has garnered significant attention from the fanbase, leading many to wonder if the film actually exists and what its inclusion signifies for the broader story. It is important to clarify from the outset that Human Earthworm 4 is a purely fictional creation within the manga and anime. It serves as a parody, a narrative device, and a brief moment of levity before the crushing weight of the Shibuya Incident Arc takes hold.

The Role of Human Earthworm 4 in the Shibuya Incident Arc

The specific mention of the fourth installment in the Human Earthworm series occurs during the early stages of the Shibuya Incident Arc, specifically in Season 2, Episode 6 of the anime (titled "It's Like That"). The scene features Yuji Itadori attempting to convince his classmate, Nobara Kugisaki, to accompany him to the cinema. His choice of movie is, predictably, the latest entry in his favorite creature-feature horror franchise.

This moment is strategically placed. At this point in the story, the tension is beginning to mount as the villainous Suguru Geto (or rather, the entity inhabiting his body) and the cursed spirit Mahito prepare their grand assault on Shibuya. By showing Yuji enthusiastically discussing a ridiculous horror movie, the narrative reinforces his youthful innocence and his desire for normal social interaction. It highlights the stark contrast between the horrific reality Yuji faces as a sorcerer and the "fun" horror he consumes as a fan of B-movies.

The conversation between Yuji and Nobara regarding the film is short but telling. Nobara, who possesses much more refined and perhaps mainstream tastes, is visibly repulsed by the premise of the movie. This interaction serves to deepen the friendship between the two characters, showing a side of their relationship that isn't defined by life-or-death combat. It is a moment of pure character work that makes the subsequent tragedies of the Shibuya arc feel even more personal and devastating.

The Absurd Plot of the Human Earthworm Franchise

According to the descriptions provided by Yuji within the Jujutsu Kaisen series, the Human Earthworm franchise is a classic example of "so-bad-it's-good" horror. The series revolves around the activities of a mad scientist named Dr. Richter, a character who embodies all the tropes of the unethical researcher seen in low-budget 1980s and 90s cinema.

In the first three films, Dr. Richter experiments on humans, attempting to fuse their biology with that of earthworms. The results are, as one might expect, grotesque hybrids that lack the grace of humans or the simplicity of annelids. However, Human Earthworm 4 takes a wild, unexpected turn into a different genre entirely: romance.

Yuji explains to a bewildered Nobara that in the fourth film, the protagonist—one of Dr. Richter’s hybrid creations—escapes the laboratory and attempts to integrate into human society. The plot follows the creature as it tries to live a "normal" life, eventually finding love. This shift from pure body horror to a tragic romantic drama is what makes the fourth installment so particularly hilarious and endearing to Yuji. He describes a scene where the creature experiences heartbreak, followed by its eventual death, which then sets the stage for its offspring to seek vengeance in a potential sequel.

This level of detailed, nonsensical plotting is a testament to Gege Akutami’s humor. It perfectly captures the spirit of obscure, straight-to-video horror sequels that often lose their way or try to reinvent themselves in increasingly desperate and weird ways.

Yuji Itadori and the Art of Watching B-Movies

Yuji’s love for Human Earthworm 4 is not just a random character trait; it is deeply tied to his history and training as a sorcerer. Early in the series, during the "Cursed Womb" arc, Yuji undergoes special training under the supervision of Satoru Gojo. The goal of this training was to help Yuji control his cursed energy while experiencing strong emotions.

The method Gojo chose was unconventional: watching movies. Yuji was required to watch hundreds of films, ranging from classics to utter garbage, while holding a cursed doll that would punch him if he didn't output a constant, steady stream of cursed energy. This training forced Yuji to develop a high level of emotional discipline, but it also inadvertently turned him into a seasoned cinephile with a particular affinity for B-movies and creature features.

This background explains why Yuji can find value in a movie as objectively "bad" as Human Earthworm 4. For Yuji, movies represent a connection to the normal life he left behind. They are a source of comfort and a way to engage his imagination outside of the brutal world of curses. His ability to find empathy for a man-worm hybrid experiencing romance speaks to his inherent kindness—the same kindness that makes him a unique protagonist in a genre often filled with cold, calculating warriors.

The Connection to Yoshino Junpei

The Human Earthworm series also plays a significant, albeit tragic, role in Yuji’s relationship with Yoshino Junpei during the "Vs. Mahito" arc. Junpei was a lonely, bullied teenager who found solace in movies, much like Yuji. When they first met, it was their shared interest in film that allowed them to bond quickly.

In one of the most poignant scenes of that arc, Yuji and Junpei discuss their favorite movies. While they don't explicitly watch Human Earthworm 4 together (as it hadn't been released in-universe at that time), their conversation about horror and the quality of different films is what builds the bridge between them. Yuji’s genuine excitement about cinema was one of the few things that made Junpei feel seen and understood.

The irony, of course, is that Mahito eventually uses Junpei's biology to perform a real-life version of the experiments seen in the Human Earthworm movies. When Mahito uses Idle Transfiguration to mutate Junpei into a mindless, distorted creature, the fictional horror Yuji enjoyed becomes a harrowing reality. This parallels the very theme of Jujutsu Kaisen: that the things we fear or find entertaining in fiction can manifest as deadly curses in the real world.

Real World Inspiration and Parody

It is widely acknowledged by both fans and critics that the Human Earthworm series is a parody of the real-world The Human Centipede trilogy directed by Tom Six. The Human Centipede (First Sequence) gained notoriety in 2009 for its disturbing premise involving a mad scientist (Dr. Heiter) surgically joining three people together.

While The Human Centipede is categorized as extreme horror and is often difficult to watch, Human Earthworm in the Jujutsu Kaisen world is presented with a more campy, humorous edge. By changing the animal from a centipede to an earthworm, Akutami leans into the inherent silliness of the concept. An earthworm-man is inherently less threatening and more pathetic than the subjects in Tom Six’s films, allowing the anime to use it for comedic effect rather than pure shock value.

Furthermore, the title Human Earthworm 4 is a joke in itself. In reality, The Human Centipede ended as a trilogy. By suggesting there is a fourth film in the Human Earthworm series, the anime pokes fun at the tendency of horror franchises to overstay their welcome and produce endless, increasingly bizarre sequels. It taps into the nostalgia for the video rental era, where shelves were lined with sequels to movies no one remembered watching in the first place.

Why Fictional Media Matters in Jujutsu Kaisen

The inclusion of fictional media like Human Earthworm 4 serves a greater purpose than just providing a laugh. It is a technique used in world-building to make the setting feel lived-in and authentic. In the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, people go to work, they have hobbies, and they watch bad movies. This grounded reality makes the intrusion of curses feel much more intrusive and terrifying.

Moreover, these fictional references act as a mirror to the themes of the series. Jujutsu Kaisen is obsessed with the concept of the "human form" and how it can be corrupted, both physically and spiritually. Curses are born from human emotions, and their forms are often distorted reflections of human fears. A movie about a man being turned into a worm is a literal interpretation of the fears that might give birth to a cursed spirit.

For the audience, Human Earthworm 4 provides a point of relatability. Everyone has that one "guilty pleasure" movie or franchise that they love despite knowing it's not "good" art. By giving Yuji this specific interest, Akutami makes him feel like a real teenager rather than just a vessel for a powerful curse like Sukuna. It reminds us that Yuji is fighting to protect the world that creates things like Human Earthworm 4—a world of silly, harmless fun.

The Cultural Impact within the Fandom

Despite not being a real movie, Human Earthworm 4 has inspired a wealth of fan art, memes, and even "fan theories" about what the first three movies were like. The fandom has embraced the absurdity of the concept, often placing other characters in the position of having to watch the movie with Yuji.

For instance, fan-made polls often ask which character would be most likely to enjoy the movie (with characters like Todo or Panda often being top choices) and who would hate it most (usually Megumi Fushiguro or Nanami Kento). This engagement shows how effectively a small, well-placed detail can resonate with an audience. It adds a layer of "meta-fun" to the community, where fans can pretend to be critics of a movie that doesn't exist.

Some fans have even gone as far as to create mock posters for the film, featuring a generic, terrified-looking man-worm and the looming shadow of Dr. Richter. These creative outputs demonstrate the strength of the Jujutsu Kaisen world-building; even the fictional movies within the fiction have a life of their own.

Is There a Human Earthworm 5?

Within the timeline of the anime, the story moves rapidly into the chaos of the Shibuya Incident and the subsequent Culling Game arc. Because of the sheer scale of the destruction and the shift in the world's status quo, the characters no longer have the luxury of visiting the cinema or worrying about the latest B-movie releases.

However, Yuji’s mention of the offspring seeking revenge at the end of Human Earthworm 4 strongly suggests that a Human Earthworm 5 was planned by the fictional filmmakers. Whether or not it will ever be "released" in a future slice-of-life flashback remains to be seen. Given the grim direction of the manga's later stages, these references to the Human Earthworm franchise serve as a bittersweet reminder of a simpler time when Yuji’s biggest problem was finding someone to go to the movies with him.

Summary of the Human Earthworm 4 Phenomenon

Human Earthworm 4 is a fictional horror-romance film from the Jujutsu Kaisen series that serves as a parody of The Human Centipede. It is the fourth entry in a series about a mad scientist named Dr. Richter who creates human-earthworm hybrids. The film is a personal favorite of Yuji Itadori, who appreciates its bizarre transition from horror to romance. The inclusion of the movie helps ground Yuji’s character, showing his affinity for B-movies and providing a moment of levity before the darker arcs of the series. While not a real film, its impact on the fandom and its role in character development are significant, making it a staple of Jujutsu Kaisen trivia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the plot of Human Earthworm 4?

According to Yuji Itadori, the movie follows a human-earthworm hybrid created by Dr. Richter. The creature escapes the lab, tries to live a normal human life, and even finds love. The movie ends with the creature's death, leading its children to seek revenge.

Is Human Earthworm 4 a real movie I can watch?

No, Human Earthworm 4 is a fictional movie created for the Jujutsu Kaisen manga and anime. It does not exist in the real world, although it is a clear parody of The Human Centipede.

In which episode of Jujutsu Kaisen is Human Earthworm 4 mentioned?

It is prominently mentioned in Season 2, Episode 6, titled "It's Like That," which marks the beginning of the Shibuya Incident Arc.

Why does Yuji Itadori like such weird movies?

Yuji developed a wide-ranging, if eccentric, taste in cinema during his training with Satoru Gojo. He had to watch hundreds of movies to learn how to control his cursed energy, which led to a genuine appreciation for B-movies and creature features.

Who is Dr. Richter in Human Earthworm 4?

Dr. Richter is the fictional mad scientist within the Human Earthworm movie franchise. He is responsible for the experiments that turn humans into earthworm hybrids.

Does Human Earthworm 4 have any connection to the Human Centipede?

Yes, it is a parody. Both feature a mad scientist performing gruesome biological experiments on humans, but Human Earthworm replaces the disturbing nature of the original with campy, B-movie absurdity and weird plot twists like romance.