Did Jujutsu Kaisen Fumble Its Finale?

by

As a seasoned gamer and avid manga reader with over two decades of immersion in the vibrant world of anime, I must say that Jujutsu Kaisen‘s ending has left me both satisfied and perplexed. On one hand, I appreciate the conclusion to Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaka’s journey, as they finally return to their normal lives after a long, arduous battle against the formidable Sukuna. The series has been a rollercoaster ride of intense action and emotional turmoil, and it was only fitting that it ended on a relatively peaceful note.

After six years, the popular manga series Jujutsu Kaisen has concluded its publication in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, and now there’s a debate about whether or not creator Gege Akutami wrapped up the story satisfactorily. With sales of over 100 million copies of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga by the end of its run, this modern franchise has become one of the most significant to emerge from Shonen Jump magazine. Many fans will miss reading it each week as they look for their next big action series to follow.

Due to the remarkable success of TV and movie adaptations based on Jujutsu Kaisen that have surfaced in recent years, the franchise has reached an all-time high. Consequently, many viewers may find the ending unsatisfying since it feels premature given the series’ growing popularity. This is reminiscent of other endings that seemed to conclude as the shows were gaining momentum, such as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which ended just as its anime franchise was taking off. To mitigate fan disappointment with its final chapters, Jujutsu Kaisen could have better managed its grand finale.

Read moreHunt: Showdown Permanently Gets Cheaper, but With a Catch

What Happened to Jujutsu Kaisen?

In Chapter 271 of “Jujutsu Kaisen”, Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaka wrap up their ordinary curse-elimination tasks, reminiscent of the missions they embarked on at the start of the series. This event occurs following a few epilogue chapters that delve into the aftermath of their battle against Sukuna. As they look towards the future, there’s a definite sense of progress for Jujutsu society. However, this resolution leaves several crucial questions unanswered, which is a point of intrigue that lingers.

Similar to numerous manga series in Shonen Jump, Gege Akutami must regularly modify his storyline each week. This necessitates that some concepts and hints may not fully materialize. These ideas could have been initially conceived, then possibly discarded due to the continuous evolution of reader preferences and editorial guidance. The process is a collaborative one, making a manga like Jujutsu Kaisen more of a winding path than a straight journey to its conclusion. It’s dynamic, frequently veering off in directions even the creator may not have foreseen. This is why you might find creators expressing surprise at their characters’ actions during certain moments. Although they may have a predetermined ending (Akutami reportedly did at the start of the year), the journey to that point remains flexible and ever-changing.

As a long-time fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I must admit that the sudden shift in the Shijuku Showdown left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. Throughout the series, it seemed as though Sukuna would be the final enemy we’d face, with Kenjaku serving as a secondary antagonist to keep things interesting along the way. However, Kenjaku’s growing influence in the storyline, particularly during the Culling Game, has led me to question whether or not this was truly the case.

Read moreDeadpool & Wolverine Director Reveals What Part of Making Sequel Was Most Fun

Fans of Jujutsu Kaisen had long anticipated the chaos merging into a huge curse as part of Kenjaku’s grand scheme. This was supposed to be the climax of his plan. However, during the Shinjuku Showdown, this idea was abruptly replaced with an off-screen death of Kenjaku and Sukuna informing the audience that the merge wasn’t significant or going to occur. The sudden change in what appeared to be a well-thought-out plan left the ending feeling rushed. Moreover, the unexpected announcement of the finale made it evident that the journey to the conclusion was where things went awry.

Is Jujutsu Kaisen’s Ending Bad?

In wrapping up the series of Jujutsu Kaisen, it was only fitting for the conclusion to be a tranquil one, given the non-stop battles that dominated the second half. The frenetic pace needed to subside after such tumultuous events, and it did so beautifully in the final chapter. Characters like Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara have been struggling against their destinies to achieve a joyful ending, and they managed to do just that in the finale. Gojo’s desire for them was a bright future where they could pave a new path for jujutsu sorcery, and that’s precisely what Yuji and his companions aim to accomplish now that life has returned to normal for them.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my thoughts on the recent turn of events: Sukuna has been vanquished, bringing an end to the tumultuous battles we’ve come to know. This resolution offers a sense of tranquility that fans have longed for, wrapping up the main story on a somewhat brighter note. However, it seems that the ending wasn’t quite what many of us envisioned, leaving room for disappointment. The sudden departure of Kenjaku was a significant letdown, and the ambiguity surrounding Satoru Gojo’s fate didn’t help matters either. For months, fans have been engrossed in heated debates over whether or not Gojo’s demise was indeed permanent. In an unexpected twist, his body was resuscitated when Yuta Okkotsu controlled it like a flesh mecha, which, in turn, led to the discarding or jarring of Gojo’s consciousness somewhere.

In the series finale, Gojo’s last appearance was through a spoken flashback, leaving fans yearning for a more definitive scene showing his burial. Although it’s common for this show to kill off characters without giving much time for mourning, many had expected a proper farewell in the final episode. However, other characters received an epilogue for their goodbyes, which makes Gojo’s lack of one seem unusual given his popularity. Yet, Gojo’s parting words to Yuji, expressing hope that he would be forgotten, serve as a thematic conclusion and can be seen as a fitting farewell in that sense.

Read moreDespicable Me 4 Holds Box Office Lead, Longlegs Stuns

Instead of having issues with the final episode, it seems like the journey leading up to it left some fans feeling unsatisfied, particularly regarding the fight against Sukuna or Kenjaku. There was a sense that more could have been done to fully realize the story’s potential, and this unfulfilled potential is what fans are grieving over right now. They might be expressing their disappointment with the final chapter itself as an outlet for their frustration, but in time, people will come to appreciate the bigger picture and understand the narrative as a whole.

Read More

2024-10-02 06:39