Following the unexpected death of Satoru Gojo in chapter 236 of Jujutsu Kaisen, fans have maintained a fervent hope for his comeback in the series. However, by the conclusion of the narrative, the likelihood of Gojo reappearing appeared to diminish significantly.
After the manga’s finale, numerous fans flocked to social media platforms to voice their profound dissatisfaction with how the series concluded. Not only did their cherished character not return, but it seemed that nearly every other character overlooked his existence and contributions altogether.
In the manga’s concluding chapters, none of the characters paused to acknowledge Gojo’s sacrifices or grieve his passing. This scenario was made even worse by the fact that Gojo did not receive a proper burial, despite his substantial impact on the Jujutsu community.
Interestingly, what fans might not have grasped at that moment was how Gege Akutami cleverly demonstrated the harsh realities of the Jujutsu society through the indifferent treatment of Gojo by his fellow sorcerers and students following his death.
Gege Akutami’s Reflection of Jujutsu Society’s Harsh Reality through Satoru Gojo
A recurring theme among Jujutsu Kaisen enthusiasts is the notion that Satoru Gojo has been perceived as merely a tool or weapon throughout his life and even in death.
Some may argue that this perspective is overly dramatic, but a detailed examination of Gojo’s journey reveals that this sentiment holds a grain of truth. To comprehend this viewpoint, it’s essential to first reflect on Satoru Gojo’s history and the pivotal moments that solidified his role as the cornerstone of the Jujutsu world.
During the Shibuya Incident arc, it became evident that a staggering bounty of over a hundred million was placed on Gojo’s head even as a child. This detail implies that Gojo experienced an atypical childhood, one significantly altered following his arrival in the world.
As a teenager at Jujutsu Tech, Gojo and Suguru Geto shared the title of strongest sorcerer. However, after a life-threatening battle with Toji Fushiguro, Gojo experienced a significant awakening, mastering the Reverse Cursed Technique, which rendered him nearly unbeatable.
From that moment on, Gojo eclipsed Geto, solidifying his status as the singular strongest sorcerer. With this newfound strength came escalating responsibilities, causing his bond with Geto to wane. After Geto rejected his values and turned into a Curse User, Gojo found himself isolated, shouldering the immense weight of safeguarding the Jujutsu realm.
The loss of the only individual who understood his struggles profoundly affected Gojo, leading him to devote himself to rectifying the deep-seated corruption within the Jujutsu society.
As the preeminent sorcerer, Gojo understood the moral decay ingrained in the Jujutsu community. The responsibilities of a sorcerer often go unappreciated, with the expectation that they sacrifice themselves for others’ well-being. As a result, any sorcerer, regardless of age, could meet an untimely end, often without acknowledgment.
This reality was also the catalyst for Kento Nanami’s departure from Jujutsu sorcery. The brutal truth of Jujutsu society, along with its leadership, led to Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu facing execution for curses beyond their control. Moreover, Masamichi Yaga, Jujutsu Tech’s head, was wrongfully blamed for the Shibuya massacre and subsequently executed.
Thus, it’s clear why Gojo was so resolute in wanting to reform the Jujutsu society. His efforts might have seen him vanquish corrupt leaders and mentor a new cadre of sorcerers with the potential to be as powerful as himself.
Nevertheless, one somber truth about the Jujutsu society remained unchanged by the end of Jujutsu Kaisen—demonstrated through the way Gojo was treated after his demise.
Following his death at the hands of Sukuna during the Shinjuku Showdown arc, Shoko Ieri sutured Gojo’s body. Yuta later used his deceased mentor’s body in a confrontation against Sukuna for a second time.
This development sparked outrage among fans, who felt that Gojo was denied the peace of death, once again being wielded as a weapon. Many hoped the sorcerers would acknowledge Gojo’s contributions to the final confrontation by honoring him with a proper burial.
Regrettably, in the concluding chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen, not a single sorcerer recognized Gojo’s sacrifices or took the time to grieve his death. Alarmingly, even Megumi, whom Gojo had rescued from the Zen’in clan and taken under his wing, did not spare a moment to contemplate the loss of his mentor.
The most devastating realization for fans came when they noted that the last mention of Gojo’s body occurred during the Shinjuku Showdown arc, where Yuta collapsed after exhausting his cursed technique within Gojo’s form. Afterward, no further discussions surrounding Gojo’s body or its fate transpired, deeply disappointing many long-time followers.
Despite Satoru Gojo’s innumerable contributions to the Jujutsu society, he was never given the acknowledgment or homage he deserved posthumously. Through this narrative turn, Gege Akutami skillfully highlighted the unforgiving and harsh realities of a sorcerer’s existence and the Jujutsu society at large, which seemingly continues to resist meaningful change.
Concluding Insights
While Satoru Gojo was not the only sorcerer denied a proper funeral after his death, his situation starkly illustrates the cruel nature of the Jujutsu world. In this universe, sorcerers are appreciated solely for their usefulness, and once they pass, they are quickly forgotten, with little regard given to their legacies or contributions.
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