The Necessity of Yuki’s Death in Jujutsu Kaisen and Its Connection to the Shinjuku Arc

Jujutsu Kaisen has recently faced criticism for its lack of character development and plot progression, particularly concerning Yuki Tsukumo. Introduced as a Special Grade sorcerer and a former Star Plasma Vessel, Yuki expressed ambitions to transform the Jujutsu society. However, her journey was abruptly cut short by Kenjaku’s swift action, leaving fans pondering the motivations behind this decision.

This premature exit didn’t erase the fact that Yuki remained a largely underdeveloped character. It is possible that Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, recognized her formidable power. The potential of her Cursed Techniques could have made the climactic battle against Ryomen Sukuna significantly less challenging. While this isn’t the only explanation, it isn’t hard to imagine how Yuki could have simplified conflicts during the Shinjuku Showdown arc.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series.

Why Yuki Tsukumo Could Have Accelerated Sukuna’s Defeat in Jujutsu Kaisen

A Yuki and Todo duo would have defeated Sukuna a lot sooner (Image via MAPPA). — A Yuki and Todo duo would have defeated Sukuna much quicker (Image via MAPPA).

Yuki Tsukumo’s designation as a Special Grade sorcerer confirms her immense strength. Her confrontation with Kenjaku highlighted her mastery of key abilities like Reverse Cursed Technique and Simple Domain; furthermore, it was unveiled posthumously that she possessed Domain Expansion. Coupled with her Star Rage technique, Yuki’s proficiency in mass manipulation would have posed a significant challenge to Sukuna.

While one might envision a scenario with both Satoru Gojo and Yuki striking Sukuna simultaneously, it’s improbable that Gojo would have permitted such a collaboration. Nonetheless, any scenario incorporating Yuki’s abilities would have simplified the fight and potentially concluded it sooner—especially if she joined forces with Yuta Okkotsu and Yuji Itadori during their joint assault on the King of Curses.

Alternatively, a partnership with Aoi Todo could have showcased Todo’s Cursed Technique to interchange locations, leading to exciting moments for fans. If these two teamed up, Yuki could have unleashed damaging blows with the strategic support of Todo, mitigating any substantial risks.

The Neglect of Yuki’s Character Development

Yuki was killed off by Kenjaku (Image via MAPPA). — Yuki was taken out by Kenjaku (Image via MAPPA).

With the conclusion of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, it’s easy to reflect on how disappointing Yuki Tsukumo’s arc turned out to be. Her character seemed to establish great potential, driven by her quest to eradicate curses, her mentorship of beloved character Aoi Todo, and her ties with Tengen as a Star Plasma Vessel. Unfortunately, none of these elements received proper development.

This raises the question: what was the purpose of her character’s introduction? Apart from her standout confrontation with Kenjaku—arguably one of the finest fights in the Culling Games—her contributions felt limited. She faced defeat due to a surprise counter provided by Kenjaku’s superior Cursed Technique.

Besides her loss, her significance as a Star Plasma Vessel was never meaningfully explored. Her connection with Aoi Todo yielded no substantial outcomes, and it remained unclear if she uncovered any crucial insights regarding how to vanquish curses. The sentiment among Jujutsu Kaisen fans reflects a valid critique regarding her position as one of the series’ more underwhelming characters.

Concluding Remarks

While it’s true that Yuki’s narrative doesn’t mitigate her lack of character development, her early demise before the concluding arc of Jujutsu Kaisen could have been intentional. The overwhelming power and capabilities she possessed might have lessened the overall tension and complexity in the battle against Sukuna.

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