Can Jujutsu Kaisen Stick the Landing?

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Can Jujutsu Kaisen Stick the Landing?

Key Takeaways

  • Unresolved plot points like the Culling Games remain abandoned, leaving fans unsatisfied and worried about the rushed finale.
  • The situation mirrors the rushed ending of Bleach, with Akutami possibly setting up a sequel instead of truly resolving the story.
  • Fans fear Akutami may not be able to give a satisfying ending to Jujutsu Kaisen amid new plot developments, risking disappointment.

As a seasoned gamer and manga enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that the current state of Jujutsu Kaisen leaves me feeling like a long-suffering fan of Bleach all over again. The sudden, seemingly anticlimactic defeat of Sukuna, the unresolved plot points, and the rushed finale have left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. It’s as if Gege Akutami is trying to pull off an impossible feat – resolving so much while setting up for a sequel.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen manga.

In simple terms, the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen is about to conclude with just one more chapter remaining. Many fans have voiced their concerns and dissatisfaction regarding the current direction of the story. The ending of Sukuna’s arc felt abrupt and lacked the anticipated climax, and some feel that the stakes were not adequately built up. With such a limited number of chapters left, there is speculation about how author Gege Akutami plans to wrap up the series in a satisfying manner. This situation unfortunately mirrors what happened with another popular Shōnen Jump manga called Bleach back in 2016, where it was also announced that only five chapters remained, and the final battle was left unresolved.

It appears that there are numerous unresolved aspects in the story, and it’s concerning that Akutami is introducing new plot elements. Could it be that Akutami has lost grip on the narrative or could they be laying groundwork for a sequel to the manga? The outlook for Jujutsu Kaisen seems uncertain at this point.

Unresolved Plot Points

Left to the Wayside

Kenjaku aimed to leverage the Culling Games for a grand union between Tengen, involving all humans and sorcerers in Japan. The intention was to form an eldritch deity through this merger. However, after Kenjaku’s unexpected defeat at Yuta’s hands, Sukuna, having assumed the role of the primary antagonist, sought to carry on with this plan. Alas, even after Sukuna’s downfall, the union never materialized, and it appears as though this potentially disastrous event has been overlooked or forgotten.

In the recent chapter, it’s revealed that survivors from The Culling Game are either dispersed or detained by the U.S. military. However, resolving this issue in the final chapter seems unfeasible. Unfortunately, Gojo didn’t receive a formal funeral or farewell ceremony after his demise. This has been a pattern since the Shibuya Incident arc, suggesting that author Akutami may harbor strong dislike for Gojo. Since then, Gojo has endured repeated humiliation. It seems as though Akutami’s personal feelings towards their character have influenced Gojo’s storyline, potentially neglecting fans who cherished him deeply.

Rushed Ending, Unlikely Resolution

This Feels Familiar, and Not in a Good Way

This whole situation is eerily familiar to how Bleach ended back in 2016. And as fans know now, the Bleach finale was rushed and mostly anticlimactic. Granted, this was a lot due to Tite Kubo’s incredibly poor health. But nevertheless, the final battle was suddenly resolved in a very controversial way and the sendoff, while it made sense for the characters, was extremely rushed and tacked on. Now, with Jujutsu Kaisen, this feels just like the Bleach finale, but worse in some ways. While Bleach resolves everything in a single chapter, Jujutsu Kaisen actually introduces more elements closer to the end.

It appears that Akutami might be setting up for a sequel, similar to Naruto, Chainsaw Man, and others. Instead of wrapping things up, it seems like more elements are being introduced, making it seem challenging to resolve all these threads satisfactorily for fans. The recent ending of My Hero Academia received significant criticism, and if Jujutsu Kaisen were to follow a similar path, it could have a negative impact on the next generation of Shōnen Jump titles.

As a devoted fan, I’m bracing myself for a miraculous finale from Akutami, especially since there hasn’t been any hint of a part 2 yet. Given the artist’s recent comments about drawing the finale, it seems unlikely we’re nearing the end. The first season of Jujutsu Kaisen, the movie, and the gripping manga have made it a global phenomenon. However, with the final arc and showdown against Sukuna, I find myself growing weary and disconnected with each new chapter. Crafting a satisfying conclusion for a manga is no easy feat, and unfortunately, Jujutsu Kaisen seems to be heading down that path.

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2024-09-25 00:03