Jujutsu Kaisen: The Major Shortcomings Of The Sukuna Raid, Explained

Jujutsu Kaisen: The Major Shortcomings Of The Sukuna Raid, Explained

As a long-time reader of Jujutsu Kaisen, I must admit that the Shinjuku Showdown Arc left me feeling rather… disheartened. It seemed to me that the author stretched out Sukuna’s defeat far too long, only to have Yuji miraculously grow stronger in a matter of days, making his victory feel more like a plot device than an earned triumph.


This article contains spoilers from Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 269.

Key Takeaways

  • Sukuna killed Gojo and Kashimo – the battle between the mightiest built up in the story.
  • The Sukuna Raid became repetitive. Fans were unimpressed with new sorcerers joining.
  • Sukuna’s death felt anticlimactic with forced outcomes – author faced major shortcomings in wrapping up the arc.

In the final two chapters of “Jujutsu Kaisen”, enthusiasts are aware that this highly cherished manga is nearing its conclusion and has brought to a close its most significant arcs. The storyline concluded with the resolution of the Shinjuku Showdown Arc, during which the primary antagonist of the entire series, Ryomen Sukuna, demonstrated his full potential. Readers were already familiar with Sukuna as the King of Curses and the strongest sorcerer in history, with only Satoru Gojo being his equal.

In Shinjuku, these two figures ultimately confronted each other. After their intense fight, an attack was initiated against Ryomen Sukuna, where numerous formidable sorcerers took part. Though the assault was thrilling at times and had its share of tense moments, it often felt repetitive and seemed to lack originality. Many fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the raid on Ryomen Sukuna, pointing out various flaws in this storyline segment.

The Beginning Of The Sukuna Raid In Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Sukuna Killed Gojo And Kashimo
  • Yuji and The Sorcerers Jumped Into Battle

The epic showdown between Gojo and Sukuna, known as the Shinjuku Showdown, marked the start. This battle, which was highly anticipated from the get-go due to its potential world-shaking impact, was nothing short of spectacular. From the outset to the finish line, it was a testament to the immense power both characters had been developing since the story’s inception. As expected, fans were on the edge of their seats watching this titanic clash unfold. Interestingly, Sukuna often held the advantage, but Gojo managed to turn things around. Considering that Gojo was not only battling Sukuna but also a possessed Megumi, his performance exceeded all expectations.

Farewell, Gojo Satoru! I shall never forget you for as long as I live! – Sukuna

Instead of only relying on his own cursed technique, Sukuna could also tap into Megumi’s. This made the 10 Shadows Technique a challenge for him. However, Sukuna swiftly utilized Mahoraga, which ultimately led to his victory. With Mahoraga at his disposal, Sukuna managed to defeat Gojo, which initiated the raid against the King of Curses. This offensive operation was instigated by Yuji, Higuruma, and Hakari.

Readers eagerly watched as Hakari clashed with Uraume in what promised to be an epic battle. However, due to limited screen time and most of the confrontation happening off-screen, the fight fell short of expectations. It seemed the author had a desire to swiftly conclude his story, rather than delve deeper into this anticipated duel. This also suggests that the author may not have been able to end the Shinjuku Showdown arc as he originally intended. Given Gege’s frequent health breaks, it’s likely that he was eager to wrap up his manga and deliver a satisfactory conclusion under the circumstances, before stepping away from the project.

As a dedicated gamer diving back into the thrilling raid against Sukuna, it was glaringly apparent to me that the author seemed to be hitting a creative roadblock when it came to how this epic confrontation would unfold. The pattern was repetitive as Yuji, Choso, Higuruma, and others took turns attacking Sukuna, only to succumb to their injuries and be replaced by another character. For instance, Higuruma met his match with the King of Curses, paving the way for Yuta’s entry. Then, Yuta was defeated, and Maki stepped in, followed by Maki’s fall and the arrival of yet another sorcerer. This cycle continued without a breath of fresh air or excitement, leaving fans feeling unengaged when new characters joined the fray. This lackluster approach to storytelling is certainly not what I expect from an engaging experience.

How The Sukuna Raid Became Repetitive With Lack Of Ideas

The Battle Against Sukuna Couldn’t Reach The Same Height After Gojo’s Death

As a devoted fan, I’ve got to say, over the past year, Shinjuku Showdown has had its fair share of fan complaints. Now, this doesn’t mean the entire saga was a letdown. However, the recurring patterns made it feel monotonous, leaving many of us craving something fresh from Gege’s creative mind.

Ah, my Hollow Wicker Basket that I haven’t used since the Heian Era! – Sukuna

In multiple aspects, this situation eliminated the risk from this specific battle, and fans were confident that no matter the outcome, Sukuna wouldn’t succumb or incur severe harm. It was clear that only Yuji could eventually defeat Sukuna; anything occurring prior to that point in the narrative would just not be impactful enough to vanquish the King of Curses.

In contrast to Sukuna’s prolonged defeat being strategically stretched out by the author, Yuji’s development in the storyline was somewhat rushed. This inconsistency isn’t unique to the Shinjuku Showdown Arc; instead, it’s a broader issue within the narrative. However, during this arc, Yuji experienced rapid power-ups that seemed unexpected and abrupt to readers. The one-month time skip before the Shinjuku battle was essentially used by the author as a tool to suddenly reveal Yuji’s newfound strength to fans, which felt forced and unimaginative in the grand context of the storyline, serving more as a plot device than a natural progression for the main character.

Beyond just his rapid growth, it seemed that Yuji’s acquisition of power was hastily done, stacking one power upon another until he possessed enough strength to overcome Sukuna. It was hard to accept that Sukuna could lose to someone with such abilities, especially given that most of these powers were activated on the same day. The manner in which this unfolded felt contrived and unconvincing, as if the execution lacked finesse.

Sukuna’s Conclusion Was Unsatisfactory

Sukuna’s Death Felt Incredibly Anti-Climactic

Jujutsu Kaisen: The Major Shortcomings Of The Sukuna Raid, Explained

In the final moments of the tale, it was Yuji who vanquished Ryomen Sukuna, the Curse King. This transpired once Yuji activated his domain expansion, confronting Sukuna within it. Surprisingly, Nobara intervened just in time and delivered a heavy blow to Sukuna. Although Sukuna had the potential to expand his own domain, the situation called for intervention. Megumi then stepped in to thwart Sukuna’s retaliation, while Yuji unleashed a powerful strike, followed by another devastating Black Flash. With these actions, Sukuna was effectively extracted from Megumi’s body, thus concluding his narrative.

Jujutsu Kaisen: The Major Shortcomings Of The Sukuna Raid, Explained

Readers were hoping for a more impressive showing from Sukuna towards the finale, and it seemed disappointing that he didn’t even activate the merge. Moreover, Sukuna had numerous chances to conclude the battle, yet he deliberately opted against it, giving off an impression of a predestined outcome in this conflict. In the end, Sukuna perished as a curse, but his portrayal as an extraordinary antagonist will linger on, leaving fans feeling that the author failed to fully capture his grandeur.

You can access Jujutsu Kaisen through Viz Media. Fans can read it officially and at no cost on both the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus app. Mark your calendars for September 22, 2024, as that’s when One Piece Chapter 270 is scheduled to be released.

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2024-09-19 02:34