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Discover the controversy behind Satoru Gojo’s death in Jujutsu Kaisen. Also find out if it was necessary or if he should have survived.
Satoru Gojo is the most popular Jujutsu Kaisen character and has left an unforgettable mark on anime history. As the beacon of hope in Jujutsu Kaisen’s dark world, he was a character many believed would never be defeated. However, in the final Shinjuku Showdown Arc, he had a decisive battle against Sukuna and ended up losing.
This left fans in a state of shock, as the strongest Sorcerer was confidently winning for most of the fight. So, was Gojo’s ending in Jujutsu Kaisen justified?
Gojo’s death in Jujutsu Kaisen was absolutely necessary, but the way it happened leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Let us explore this further.
How Gojo Died in Jujutsu Kaisen
Soon after Sukuna took over Megumi’s body, Gojo was released from the prison realm. With both legendary figures finally meeting up, they agreed to have a proper battle on December 24, 2018, in Shinjuku.
With humanity’s fate on the line, the main characters watch as the King of Curses battles the strongest Sorcerer. Despite Sukuna’s Ten Shadows Technique and his Dismantle and Cleave abilities, they didn’t seem to affect Gojo. Using his Limitless and Six Eyes, Gojo had the upper hand and was unleashing a brutal barrage of attacks on Sukuna. Their Domain Expansions matched evenly, but with Black Flashes and the Hollow Technique: Purple, the fight was as good as over.
At this point, Sukuna stunned the entire fanbase and emerged victorious. Maharoga played a major role in this through its adaptability. By absorbing a lot of hits with the Shikigami, Sukuna was able to figure out how to cut through Gojo’s Infinity. Naming it the world-cutting slash, Sukuna bisected not just Gojo but the entire world around him.
Maharoga had sacrificed its life for the cause, but it was also the reason why Sukuna took over Megumi’s body – realizing the worth of the Zenin Clan’s technique.
Why Gojo’s Death in Jujutsu Kaisen Was Necessary
Gojo’s death might have been heartbreaking, but it was extremely deserved. This is primarily because Gojo is not the main character of Jujutsu Kaisen. His death significantly raised the stakes for the final battle.
From the very first episode, it was clear that Gojo is the strongest. He even claimed he could defeat Sukuna. While his presence kept the series thrilling, it created the constant expectation that “Gojo will show up” to save the day. This overshadowed the growth of Itadori and other characters striving to become stronger.
Hence, Gojo’s presence is both a blessing and a curse to Jujutsu Kaisen. He helped boost its popularity but also limited the development of others. However, as soon as he was sealed in the Shibuya Arc, characters such as Itadori, Maki, Megumi, Choso, and many more got their much-needed time to shine.
After finally realizing their own worth, it would make no sense to simply let Gojo come back for the Shinjuku Showdown and beat the main antagonist again. While some argue that Gojo could lose and survive, it contradicts his fearless personality. His Reverse Cursed Technique is too advanced for a temporary injury to sideline him.
Therefore, the only way to finalize Sukuna as the big, bad villain of Jujutsu Kaisen was to kill Gojo. This motivated all remaining characters to work together to take him down or risk losing everything they love.
Gojo’s death also solidified the fact that despite being the strongest, he was but a tool for others. He lived and died as a weapon for the Jujutsu Society, never truly being seen as anything more. This was a poignant way to underscore the utilitarian and apathetic nature of the Jujutsu Society, which views its members as tools rather than individuals.
Could Gojo Have Survived in Jujutsu Kaisen?
Realistically, there are several scenarios where Gojo could have survived. He was near-invincible, had rapid regeneration, and seemed to be handling Sukuna very well. By exiting early and letting Itadori, Yuta, and other characters take on an injured Sukuna, there was the possibility to defeat the antagonist.
Theories also linked Gojo to Buddhism and Samsara, suggesting he might attain enlightenment after death. This would help him be reborn and confront Sukuna again. His iconic line, “Throughout Heaven and Earth, I alone am the honored one,” comes from the Lotus Sutra and could act as a foreshadowing scene for this.
However, Gege Akutami has been outspoken about his dislike for Gojo. He realized that he made a character too strong for his own good who would undermine others. So, while there were several ways for Gojo to survive, none of them were plausible, as his biggest enemy was the writer of the series himself.
The Controversy of Gojo’s Death in Jujutsu Kaisen
Gojo’s death sparked heavy debate among the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom. This was not necessarily due to his death itself, but the way it was done. In chapter 235 of Jujutsu Kaisen, Gojo unleashed a devastating Hollow Purple and was declared the winner because of the damage it left on Sukuna.
Fans were shocked to open Chapter 236 and find Gojo talking to Geto, Nanami, and others close to him. He showed remorse for losing and even admitted Sukuna had defeated him without going all out. This was completely out-of-character for the strongest Sorcerer in the series. Nevertheless, he had fun talking to friends of his who had already died.
The screen then cuts to his dismantled body after being cut by Sukuna. This was abrupt and came out of nowhere. Sukuna, who was losing one chapter back, was standing near Gojo’s dead body. The off-screen death of the beloved character combined with his shocking conversation in the afterlife was too much for fans to bear.
Another contentious point was the lack of a proper farewell between Gojo and Megumi. The relationship between teacher and student was very close, yet their goodbye was reduced to a simple letter. Even when Megumi and Shoko pay respects to Tsumiki’s grave, they do not visit Gojo’s. For characters who deeply cared about him, this omission felt inconsistent with how much they loved Gojo.
Jujutsu Kaisen already faced pacing issues in its final arc, and Gojo’s sudden death intensified these concerns. This made fans wonder if it was less about narrative necessity and more for the creator to wrap the story up quickly.
Did Gojo Deserve a Better Death in Jujutsu Kaisen?
Gojo didn’t need to survive, but the outrage over his death highlights his impact on the series and fandom. This proves he deserved a better death. While his passing motivated the cast, it lacked a proper and respectful send-off.
As Itadori and Megumi’s mentor, Shoko’s friend, and a key figure in everyone’s lives, Gojo’s death lacked emotional closure. The series used his passing more as a plot device for others’ growth than as a meaningful acknowledgment of his sacrifice for the world.
While he might have been holding back the development of others, he was still an immeasurably important part of the series. Therefore, just taking him out of the series hurriedly felt like a disservice to his legacy.
A more respectful approach, where there was a proper showing of his loss to Sukuna and the rest of the cast appreciating his heroism, would have been more befitting to the globally celebrated character.
Conclusion
To conclude, Gojo’s death in Jujutsu Kaisen is a landmark event in the series that will be discussed for years to come. It elevated the stakes and provided a narrative turning point but was done haphazardly.
While Akutami made a bold choice by killing off the most popular character in his series, the need to kill him might have taken precedence over the way in which he killed him. Nevertheless, his death shows how Jujutsu Kaisen captivated fans, making them laugh and cry along with the characters.
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