Why the controversy surrounding Sukuna’s death in Jujutsu Kaisen is a result of the internet age, explained

The latest installment of Jujutsu Kaisen, chapter 268, was published on September 2, 2024. The chapter depicted the ultimate defeat of the King of Curses after a grueling battle with the sorcerers of Jujutsu High. Despite being responsible for numerous catastrophes, the demise of the main antagonist has sparked controversy due to his weak performance in the end.

The internet played a significant role in spreading this news even before the chapter was officially released, for which we have to thank. The branding of someone’s death on the internet was evident from Madara’s demise in Naruto. Despite being one of the most disappointing deaths in anime, it did not receive much attention from the fandom, ultimately fading from memory.

Disclaimer: The author’s opinion and spoilers from Jujutsu Kaisen are included in this article.

The Role of the Internet in Branding Sukuna’s Death in Jujutsu Kaisen as Controversial

Sukuna as seen in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

In chapter 268 of Jujutsu Kaisen, Ryomen Sukuna’s worst fears came true as he witnessed the antagonist sink to a new low by deliberately triggering Megumi’s depression in order to prolong his own existence. As if that wasn’t enough, when Yuji Itadori’s domain collapsed, the King of Curses was forcibly removed from Megumi’s body and reduced to a pitiful lump of flesh, a disgraceful end for the once-mighty sorcerer.

Despite constantly being belittled by Sukuna, the protagonist, ever since his reincarnation as a cursed spirit, the King of Curses ultimately met his end and turned to ashes. Although his demise in the popular manga series Jujutsu Kaisen was portrayed as pathetic and ‘controversial,’ the truth behind it is far from what it seems.

The impact of the second coming of Ryomen Sukuna in chapter 268 was immense, causing significant damage to the Jujutsu society. This King of Curses was responsible for the downfall of the most powerful sorcerer of modern times, Gojo Satoru. Additionally, he ignited the conflict between cursed spirits and Jujutsu sorcerers during the Shibuya incident.

Despite the cursed spirits’ desire to permanently awaken the King of Curses inside Itadori, the sorcerers were determined to prevent this from happening, as they believed he posed a threat to society. His death, though deemed pathetic, was justifiable given his heinous actions. Therefore, it is puzzling why his demise was controversial.

Thanks to the online fandom, Sukuna’s death was already being labeled as ‘controversial’ before the chapter even aired. One of the most well-known instances of this is the death of Madara Uchiha, who was one of Naruto’s ultimate adversaries.

Madara as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Despite reaching the peak of his power, capable of rivaling members of the Otsutsuki clan, Madara’s plans for his second coming and the activation of the Infinite Tsukuyomi were suddenly betrayed. His comrade Black Zetsu, who had aided him in reaching such heights, revealed their true allegiance and used Madara’s body as a vessel for the reincarnation of Kaguya.

Despite spending his entire life searching for ultimate power, Madara’s journey ultimately ended in betrayal and was considered one of the most disappointing storylines in the series. Despite this, his accomplishments as a god-like being have solidified his place as one of the strongest characters in the series, and his death has been met with little criticism from fans.

Despite existing in a modern era where pleasing the fandom is a difficult task, Jujutsu Kaisen faced criticism from fans for Sukuna’s downfall based on a single chapter. This trend quickly spread throughout society, highlighting the significant impact of the online fandom in determining a character’s fate.

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