2 Years Ago, This Anime Death Shook the World (But Was It Even Worth It)

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I was completely caught off guard by Chapter 236 of *Jujutsu Kaisen* – the confirmation of Satoru Gojo’s death really shook the online community. It was especially shocking because the previous chapter had declared him the victor! Ever since Gojo returned from the Prison Realm back in Chapter 221, the series had exploded in popularity, with everyone becoming invested in this massive battle. The fight itself stretched on for months and had the whole fanbase gripped, constantly delivering surprising moments as Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna faced off in what felt like the ultimate showdown we’d all been waiting for.

Gojo was accustomed to easily defeating all his opponents, but Sukuna proved to be a truly challenging adversary. While the chapter revealing their battle became available on the Manga Plus app on September 24, 2023, early leaks appeared online several days prior. Many fans were left frustrated by the unresolved plot points and the ending. Now, two years after Gojo’s shocking death, the question remains: did the story ultimately justify the disappointment?

Why Was Gojo’s Death in Jujutsu Kaisen So Controversial?

Everyone knew Gojo was facing an incredibly powerful opponent, so the possibility of him dying wasn’t a surprise. However, ending his fight in a single chapter and immediately starting the next with his death felt like a disappointing plot twist for many fans. The brief build-up and moment of hope felt artificial and ultimately didn’t deliver. The story then jumps to a teenage Gojo encountering deceased friends in a sort of afterlife, where a choice between North and South is presented as a philosophical question left open to interpretation.

The fight where Gojo is defeated happens without showing the actual blow, leaving out the crucial moment when Sukuna breaks through Gojo’s defenses. Many fans also felt the reactions from other characters were surprisingly muted, given how important Gojo was to them. The manga doesn’t offer a proper goodbye to Gojo either – he has no final words, no funeral, and very little closure, aside from a single scene where Yuji remembers him.

Gojo’s death was so unexpected and mysterious that fans immediately began speculating about ways he could be brought back to life, with discussions continuing for months. However, despite the supernatural setting of *Jujutsu Kaisen*, death is still permanent. Furthermore, Gojo seemed at peace with his fate and accepted his defeat, even smiling as it happened.

Gojo’s Death Is More Widely Accepted Now, But It Still Doesn’t Feel Satisfactory

Once the shock of his death faded, fans started to realize things weren’t as bad as they first seemed. The attention moved from figuring out who was the strongest to everyone working together to defeat Sukuna. Thankfully, Gojo’s goal of stopping Kenjaku was achieved by his student, Yuta Okkotsu, giving him some peace of mind.

Ultimately, Gojo was so overwhelmingly strong that the author, Gege Akutami, needed to eliminate him to allow the central conflict to begin. A common convention in action series like this is that the hero must defeat the villain. This meant Gojo could only damage Sukuna, not destroy him. Even if Yuji didn’t win alone and needed help, as long as he delivered the final blow, he could fulfill his role as the protagonist.

Wow, the ending of *Jujutsu Kaisen* was something else! It really struck me how everyone’s efforts, even Gojo’s sacrifice, ultimately paved the way for Yuji to face Sukuna. And even though a lot of fans, myself included, were bummed about how Gojo went down, it’s clear now that his death, as hard as it was to watch, was crucial to getting Yuji to the point where he could finally defeat the villain, despite being outmatched. It all made sense in the end, even if it hurt!

Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Confirms Gojo’s Dream Wasn’t Fully Realized

Gojo’s death was deeply sad, but perhaps even more disappointing is that his vision for a better future for the Jujutsu world wasn’t fully realized. He hoped to change things by nurturing a new generation of sorcerers, avoiding a violent conflict with the old guard. Sadly, he ended up having to become a villain himself, all to give his students a chance. The new series, *Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo*, shows a society that’s improved, but still has a long way to go.

Yuka being made to give up something precious to her brother, and the Gojo Clan ignoring what both children wanted, shows how far the world has strayed from Gojo’s ideals. Old ideas about strength and weakness still exist, and Jujutsu society has become much weaker since the fight with Sukuna. This is concerning because it means we might be unprepared for any new, powerful threats that suddenly emerge.

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2025-09-24 20:13