Why Gojo’s Survival Wouldn’t Have Resolved the Jujutsu Kaisen Ending Issues

The finale of Jujutsu Kaisen was confirmed on September 29, 2024, when chapter 271 was released, quickly becoming one of the most contentious manga conclusions in recent memory.

Hot on the heels of My Hero Academia’s conclusion, which also sparked mixed reviews just a month earlier, Gege Akutami’s narrative—marked by minimal resolution and subtle hints at Gojo’s return—emerged as one of the most reviled endings in the manga community.

Throughout discussions about the series, Gojo’s role as a pivotal character frequently comes to the forefront, raising questions about how his continued presence could have altered the story. However, the final chapters indicated that the controversies surrounding the conclusion of Jujutsu Kaisen would likely have persisted even if Gojo had remained.

Warning: This article includes spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series and represents the author’s views.

Gojo’s survival couldn’t fully redeem Jujutsu Kaisen’s conclusion

Jujutsu Kaisen stands out as one of the few narratives that intertwined various plot threads alongside its central conflict, a hallmark of its storytelling style.

This complexity is certainly justified considering its genre as a battle shonen; however, the overarching narrative was marred by the lack of a cohesive finale that should have unified the diverse story arcs and character developments.

The overall impression left by Jujutsu Kaisen’s ending felt hurried, as numerous last-minute disclosures seemed to obliterate the suspense that had been meticulously crafted throughout the series.

As one of the central figures in the story, Gojo was cleverly crafted as a literal deus ex machina, yet ultimately became merely Sukuna’s rival and one of the few sorcerers advocating for change among the new generation.

Despite the multitude of grievances surrounding the Jujutsu Kaisen’s conclusion, the primary concern lay in the neglect of essential plotlines. This included the unfulfilled ambitions of Kenjaku, who had been portrayed as a mastermind with intricate plans.

Moreover, the narrative abandoned key characters like Hakari and introduced the unexpected revival of several presumed-dead figures. Coupled with the inadequate handling of Gojo’s death, the finale felt unworthy of the epic buildup the fandom had anticipated.

Gojo’s demise at Sukuna’s hands, followed by Sukuna’s defeat at the hands of Gojo’s successors, was a narratively coherent arc, especially as it highlighted the theme of the new generation surpassing its predecessor that had been established early in the series.

While Gojo’s continued existence may have delighted his fans and a segment of the broader audience, the fundamental issues regarding the execution of Jujutsu Kaisen’s ending would have remained unchanged, with minimal impact from his survival.

Conclusion

The Jujutsu Kaisen manga concluded with a total of 271 chapters, without any announcements regarding a sequel that fans had eagerly awaited. Meanwhile, the anime is continuing, with season 3 slated for release in 2025.

While there’s been no official word on a part 2 or continuation, it’s still possible that such an announcement could coincide with the upcoming release of the anime’s third season.

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