Gege Akutami Reflects on Missed Opportunities in Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 269

The highly anticipated Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 269 revealed Yuta’s survival and unveiled the reasons behind the gathering of sorcerers to “help Yuta.”While many fans expected the chapter to pivot towards the intense situation of extracting Yuta from Gojo’s body, the narrative instead shifted to a discussion among the survivors of the Sukuna battle.

This chapter focused on the New Shadow Style, detailing its origins and highlighting Mei Mei’s actions prior to the conflict with Sukuna. Maki’s dialogue delved into several hypothetical scenarios that could have simplified their confrontation, some of which echoed fan speculations.

These ‘what-if’ scenarios discussed by Maki could be Gege Akutami’s commentary on how different decisions might have eased the challenges faced in the battle, providing an interesting layer to the narrative.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series.

Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 269: Gege Akutami Explores Missed Opportunities in Sukuna Fight

Yuta Okkotsu as shown in the anime (Image via Studio MAPPA) — Yuta Okkotsu as depicted in the anime (Image via Studio MAPPA)

In Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 269, the aftermath of Yuta returning to his body was presented offscreen, a moment many expected to be the chapter’s focal point. Instead, Maki’s insights and the various strategic decisions left unmade during their fight took center stage.

Rika, shown grieving while cradling Yuta’s lifeless body in chapter 262, was revealed to have been nurturing and healing him. Yuta resurrected after Kenjaku’s technique had seemingly burned out. The confrontation with Sukuna saw nearly every character engaging with him in succession.

While some characters like Ino and Kusakabe had minimal impact, others such as Miguel and Larue proved significant in the battle against Sukuna.

Notably, Inumaki’s clever use of a pre-recorded command to freeze Sukuna stirred much conversation among fans. There were widespread inquiries regarding why Higuruma’s executioner sword, a one-hit-kill technique, wasn’t deployed earlier in conjunction with Inumaki’s pre-recorded cursed speech.

Maki as shown in the manga (Image via Shueisha) — Maki as illustrated in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

Fans also speculated about the timing of Miguel and Larue’s entrance into the battle following Gojo’s death, which shifted the fight dynamics more in favor of the sorcerers. These points sparked criticism towards Gege, as many felt the fight devolved into a series of new characters continuously entering the fray against Sukuna.

Maki’s musings in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 269 may serve as Gege’s response to these critiques, elucidating the reasons behind structuring the fight as a gauntlet rather than a simultaneous assault by all sorcerers.

The decision not to use Inumaki’s cursed speech alongside Higuruma’s technique stemmed from Sukuna’s overwhelming power during his clash with Higuruma, creating a risk that the pre-recorded command could have been disastrous for Inumaki given the strength disparity.

As for Miguel and Larue’s later involvement, their whimsical nature is a key factor contributing to the unpredictability of the battle.

Final Thoughts

Gojo as shown in the anime (Image via MAPPA) — Gojo as illustrated in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 269 concluded with intriguing revelations about the New Shadow Style. While fans had hoped for hints about Gojo’s return, there were no indications mentioned in this chapter.

The series is set to conclude in late September with the upcoming chapter 271, and there’s still a chance that Gojo’s return might unfold in the next two installments. Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 270 is scheduled for release on September 22, 2024.

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