Jujutsu Kaisen, one of the most epic modern manga, just ended September 2024, and here is how the story concluded.
The well-regarded manga and anime Jujutsu Kaisen just reached its canonical end in September 2024. Gege Akutami started the series back in 2018 in Weekly Shonen Jump. Its popularity boomed in the following two years, reaching 10 million copies in circulation by October 2020. This success led to its quick adaptation into anime, with MAPPA studio responsible for the production.
Although its popularity is a sign of success, Jujutsu Kaisen’s ending was divisive. Some defend Jujutsu Kaisen as one of the best modern manga. However, there are some aspects of the story left for criticism, including the ending.
Jujutsu Kaisen Ending Synopsis
Jujutsu Kaisen’s story reaches its climax in the Shinjuku Showdown arc, where the strongest sorcerers clash with the King of Curses. After Gojo Satoru is no longer sealed, the battle between him and Sukuna is inevitable.
Sukuna, now in control of Megumi’s body, exchanges blows with Gojo, wreaking havoc in Shinjuku. The two then go on a face-off of Domain Expansion, releasing Malevolent Shrine and Unlimited Void at the same time. However, Malevolent Shrine outranges Unlimited Void. Sukuna rips Gojo’s domain barrier from outside and lands slash attacks on Gojo. Standing against Sukuna’s relentless attacks, Gojo continuously heals himself using the reversed cursed technique.
Gojo quickly closes the distance and lands injuring blows on Sukuna, breaking both of their domains. The next time they unleash their domains, Gojo is quicker than Sukuna and wins the contest of strength. However, this is when Sukuna releases Mahoraga, which leads to Gojo’s defeat.
What follows are fights between Sukuna and several Jujutsu sorcerers, including Yuta Okkotsu, Maki Zenin, Yuji Itadori, and the surprising return of Nobara Kugisaki. Nobara’s Resonance allows Yuji to take advantage of the situation and land Black Flash on Sukuna. This hit separates Megumi and Sukuna. While Sukuna is weakened and on the verge of death, Yuji offers Sukuna a chance to return to his body and start over. However, Sukuna rejects this offer and promptly vanishes into death as a curse.
After a lengthy fight, the manga wraps up with a three-chapter resolution for the whole story, which got a lot of criticism from fans. Nobara’s return in chapter 267 receives criticism for the lack of screen time. Furthermore, the last chapters suddenly pivot to the trio casually returning to the usual Jujutsu sorcerer life, solving cases of curse users and curse spirits.
Fates of the Main Characters As of Jujutsu Kaisen Ending
The end of Jujutsu Kaisen also concludes the fates of the main characters. Some make it to the final chapter, while others die, defeated by curses or because of the consequences of their actions. Nevertheless, the end of their stories certainly left different impressions on the audience.
Gojo Satoru
Gojo Satoru’s death is one of the most memorable in the story. Not only because of his character, but also due to the way he died, which shocked Jujutsu Kaisen fans. Although the series has long established Gojo as one of the strongest characters in Jujutsu Kaisen, he eventually meets his end at Sukuna’s hands in the Shinjuku Showdown arc. Gojo’s Infinity technique is one of his trademarks and what makes him a powerful Jujutsu sorcerer.
Yuji Itadori
In Jujutsu Kaisen ending, Yuji Itadori emerges as one of the strongest sorcerers, as he triumphs over the King of Curses, Sukuna. Yuji has developed exponentially since his first journey as a Jujutsu sorcerer. From an eccentric training arc with Gojo, and a serious one with Nanami, to a journey fighting self-loathing imposed by Sukuna, Yuji has experienced it all. In the end, however, he returns to taking milder cases alongside Megumi and Nobara.
Megumi Fushiguro
Megumi Fushiguro becomes a pivotal character in the climactic battle against Sukuna. If you pay attention to everything Sukuna says, you might have predicted this would happen. Sukuna takes over his body and uses Megumi’s technique to defeat Gojo—the Ten Shadows Technique, which allows the user to summon a Shikigami to aid them.
Fortunately, Yuji is able to separate the two, leaving the weakened Megumi to recover and Sukuna defeated. Megumi’s ending is a callback to his father, Toji Fushiguro. He receives a letter written by Gojo, revealing that Gojo is the one responsible for his father’s death.
Nobara Kugisaki
While anime-only fans might think Nobara’s story ends when Mahito lands his transfiguration, she makes a comeback in the Shinjuku Showdown arc. Gege Akutami did little to no explanation of how exactly Nobara made her way back into action. However, it is most likely because of Arata Nitta. Arata’s technique allows a body to be frozen in its current state, stopping any injuries from worsening.
In the ending, Nobara lands a blow on Sukuna with her Resonance technique, temporarily distracting Sukuna and allowing Yuji to gain the upper hand. She then rejoins Megumi and Yuji.
Maki Zenin
The last time Maki is seen in the anime is when she receives a fatal blast from Jogo in the Shibuya Incident arc. Her body is incinerated, with seemingly little chance she survives this attack. However, she survives the ordeal and is now left with scars all over her body.
Maki’s character is further fleshed out in the Perfect Preparation arc, where she clashes with the Zenin family. In Jujutsu Kaisen‘s ending, she survives the battle against Sukuna and reunites with the other Jujutsu sorcerers. Notably, she mentions her intentions to reclaim the sorcerers taken by the American military back in the Culling Game arc. This could be an entirely separate spin-off featuring Maki Zenin.
Yuta Okkotsu
Yuta Okkotsu joins the battle against Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen‘s ending. After Gojo’s defeat, the manga surprises readers with Gojo’s return. However, it is later revealed that this is Yuta controlling Gojo’s body. The two engage in a contest of Domain Expansion and hand-to-hand combat. The tide turns when Yuta channels Inumaki’s voice to Sukuna, telling the latter to stop moving using cursed speech technique.
Yuta then successfully lands Hollow Purple on Sukuna, shattering their domains. However, Sukuna survives this blow. After that, Yuta, Yuji, and Todo are about to launch another assault on Sukuna. However, due to the vast amount of cursed energy he uses, Yuta’s technique runs out, and he collapses. In the final chapters, Yuta successfully returns to his body.
Ryomen Sukuna
Sukuna’s fate directly correlates with how the manga ended, and it is one aspect that left fans with mixed feelings. However, in Jujutsu Kaisen ending, Sukuna is defeated by Yuji. He refuses Yuji’s offer to turn over a new leaf and to live side by side.
Sukuna’s last appearance shows him conversing with the now-dead Mahito in the afterlife. There, he contemplates the past options he could’ve taken if he had decided not to be the King of Curses. He says that if he had a chance for incarnation, he would probably take a different path.
Why Jujutsu Kaisen Ending Is Controversial
Though Jujutsu Kaisen begins with quirks a shonen doesn’t typically have, the ending falls just short. Fans criticized the story towards its finale as being rather rushed. The major point of criticism is that the manga has a decent runtime for the epic battles between the characters. However, when it comes to closure, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s ending falls under heavy scrutiny.
Furthermore, the last chapter of the manga raised the eyebrows of many fans. Although Sukuna’s fate meets its conclusion in the manga, fans claim things surrounding the King of Curses’ end don’t meet their expectations. For instance, there is little explanation for Yuji’s domain expansion, a feat he pulls off during his fight against Sukuna.
However, Gege Akutami chose to end the manga with the main trio, Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi, solving a simple case involving a curse user and displaying Sukuna’s finger left in a shrine. This ending is a throwback to the theme of adults’ duty to protect the young, just like when Nanami Kento mentors Yuji. Still, it left an impression of a rushed wrap-up for fans.
Is There Room for a Spin-Off or Sequel?
Currently, there isn’t any news from Gege Akutami mentioning a Jujutsu Kaisen sequel or spin-off title. However, the series has the potential for further story development. Popularity-wise, Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most popular titles worldwide. In 2024, the anime earned the title of the most in-demand anime, surpassing even longstanding series such as One Piece.
On top of that, Jujutsu Kaisen’s ending left fans wondering about many of the characters’ fates. Story-wise, there are still some plot points left without satisfying resolutions. This is either a sign of a rushed ending or a setup from Gege Akutami for further storytelling in a spin-off title or sequel.
Conclusion
Jujutsu Kaisen‘s ending split fans into two distinct opinions. The story of the series revolves around Yuji and his grandfather’s dying wish for him to help others. The plot puts a lot of emphasis on how he perceives humanity throughout his journey as a Jujutsu sorcerer.
On the other hand, the mangaka gives Jujutsu Kaisen a plot where even the most likable character is never safe from fatal dangers. Although it raises the stakes of the story, this approach also means Gege Akutami has to shoulder the heavy burden of delivering a compelling story from the beginning to the end. Despite its huge success, Jujutsu Kaisen ending received criticism, saying that the mangaka should’ve put more closure for some of the characters.
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