Jujutsu Kaisen Finale: Kenjaku Becomes a Joke, Fans Express Discontent with Gege

Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 271 was released on September 30, 2024, and it left many fans feeling underwhelmed. This chapter failed to address various mysteries that the audience was eager to unravel. One of the most significant letdowns expressed by fans was the anti-climactic end of Kenjaku.

Kenjaku, the architect behind the Great Merger, met his demise without ever witnessing his envisioned plan come to fruition. Additionally, the manga did not clarify his manipulation of Itadori’s mother or how he possessed her. In light of numerous potentials for Kenjaku to deliver a compelling threat, his conclusion ultimately disappointed fans.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the Jujutsu Kaisen manga series and reflects the author’s opinion.

Analyzing the downfall of Kenjaku’s character in Jujutsu Kaisen

Kenjaku (in the body of Geto) as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA) — Kenjaku (in the body of Geto) as depicted in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

Initially introduced in early episodes, Kenjaku emerged as one of the primary antagonists in Jujutsu Kaisen. He was depicted as a parasite who took over Geto’s deceased body following the events of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. His unique ability allowed him to transfer his consciousness from one host to another, enabling his survival for over a thousand years.

Furthermore, Kenjaku played a pivotal role in Itadori’s birth by using the consciousness of Sukuna’s dead twin brother, who was consumed within the womb, to incarnate inside Jin Itadori, Yuji’s father. He also possessed Kaori Itadori, Yuji’s mother, to ensure that a formidable opponent would be born for Ryomen Sukuna.

Kenjaku’s grand scheme revolved around the Great Merger ritual, which aimed to combine humanity with Tengen, culminating in the creation of a colossal cursed spirit like none before seen in Jujutsu Kaisen. To facilitate this, Kenjaku orchestrated the Culling Games, establishing the ideal conditions for the ritual to unfold.

After an intense battle with Yuki and Choso, Kenjaku succeeded in obtaining Tengen’s body, seemingly finalizing his master plan. Nevertheless, encountering Takaba became his turning point, leading to the collapse of all he had orchestrated.

Kenjaku after getting beheaded by Yuta (Image via Shueisha) — Kenjaku after being beheaded by Yuta (Image via Shueisha)

During the confrontation with Takaba, Okkotsu Yuta stealthily approached Kenjaku using Aoi’s Boogie Woogie technique and decapitated him. In his last moments, Kenjaku relinquished the right to initiate the merger to Fushiguro Megumi (now controlled by Sukuna) and declared that his will would be passed on.

His downfall marked a significant turning point, as the Great Merger ultimately never materialized—thanks to Itadori’s intervention in killing Sukuna before any action could be taken. Additionally, the unresolved mysteries surrounding Kenjaku, such as his true form, the manipulation of Kaori Itadori, and his Binding Vow with Ryomen Sukuna, were left unexplored.

Consequently, instead of being seen as a formidable antagonist akin to Ryomen Sukuna, Kenjaku was relegated to the status of a laughingstock—a character scarcely acknowledged by mangaka Gege Akutami following his demise.

Final Thoughts

The prospect of humanity perishing to fulfill Kenjaku’s vision would have hardly constituted a ‘satisfactory’ conclusion. However, his reliance on others for success, despite his extensive preparations, exposed the flaws in his character.

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