Story Highlights
- Jujutsu Kaisen fans were left stunned and disappointed by the anticlimactic death of fan-favorite character Satoru Gojo, which occurred abruptly off-screen with little build-up or emotional resonance.
- After being hyped as the epic “battle of the strongest,” Gojo’s demise at the hands of Sukuna was relegated to just a few panels, with no final words or farewells, and a lack of substantial reaction from his students and allies.
- While some theorize Gojo’s sacrifice paves the way for the next generation, many feel his unceremonious exit diminishes his legacy and the weight of such a seminal event, leaving questions about how the author will honor his importance moving forward.
Satoru Gojo, the strongest sorcerer of the present age in the smash-hit Jujutsu Kaisen series, is portrayed as an indomitable force throughout the narrative. His unparalleled power, amplified to 120% by Utahime’s curse, combined with his cocksure personality and role as a mentor to the young protagonists, cemented Gojo’s status as one of the most popular characters in recent shonen history. Fans had eagerly anticipated the long-awaited, heavily hyped clash between Gojo and Sukuna, the ancient King of Curses, billed as the earth-shattering “battle of the strongest.”
Gojo Death, An Unceremonious Fall
However, in a shocking twist, Chapter 236 of the manga depicted Gojo death at the hands of his millennia-old rival. The scene was jarring – Gojo’s lifeless body lay in pieces, bisected at the torso with one arm severed after Sukuna unleashed a devastating “Dismantle” attack that tore through the space around the sorcerer. The chapter revealed that Sukuna had used the adaptability of his Shikigami familiar, Mahoraga, to neutralize Gojo’s seemingly impenetrable “Infinity” technique, clearing the way for the fatal strike.
While the reveal of Sukuna’s superiority was itself a major development that challenged the established power scales, it was the abrupt and unceremonious nature of Gojo death that left many fans dissatisfied and feeling shortchanged. After building up the generational clash of titans across multiple chapters with a feverish pace, Gojo’s demise was relegated to a mere handful of panels, with no opportunity for final words, a poignant farewell, or even a glimpse of his final moments as the fatal blow occurred off-screen.
A Legacy Diminished
The lack of emotional resonance was compounded by the absence of substantial reaction shots from Gojo’s students and allies within the narrative. Despite the incredible fight being broadcast to sorcerers worldwide, the pivotal chapter provided only a brief glimpse of young protagonist Yuji Itadori’s anguished expression upon witnessing his mentor’s fall. Aside from that, readers were left to ponder the broader implications of this seminal event without being shown the eruption of grief, shock, and turmoil it should have triggered.
Fans felt it was a letdown for such an important character to get dispatched in such an abrupt, unceremonious way, failing to do justice to his importance in the story. Critics noted Gojo death should have been a seminal moment that shook the foundations of the Jujutsu society, but without seeing the fallout and how it impacts the other characters and shapes the storyline moving forward, the weight and gravitas of the event get diminished.
Some fans have speculated that author Gege Akutami may have intentionally rushed Gojo death to clear the way for his students, particularly Yuji and Yuta, to take center stage. Certain hints suggest Gojo, aware of Sukuna’s overwhelming might, may have willingly made a sacrifice play to pave a path for the next generation to surpass him. However, such optimistic theories have done little to assuage the disappointment of those who felt Gojo deserved a grander, more emotionally resonant farewell befitting his stature.
As the story moves forward in the wake of this seismic event, all eyes will be on how Akutami handles the repercussions and honors the legacy of the fallen Satoru Gojo. Can he provide the emotional payoff and character moments that were lacking in the initial depiction? Or will Gojo’s abrupt, inglorious exit remain a blemish on an otherwise acclaimed and celebrated series? Only time will tell, but the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom has been irrevocably shaken by this loss.
