Despite readers’ initial excitement, Yuta’s transformation into Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen ultimately proved to be both futile and unnecessary.
Jujutsu Kaisen consistently embraces plot twists, with the story thriving on them. Whether it’s uncovering Kenjaku’s true identity or exploring the dynamic between Yuji and Sukuna, Gege Akutami’s manga never fails to leave its readers stunned.
However, while the story did deliver a surprising twist (at least for now), it falls short of living up to all the hype. Chapter 260’s reveal of Yuta inhabiting Gojo’s body is undeniably one of the most unexpected moments in the series, catching both us and Sukuna off guard.
The question that has been on my mind since Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 260 is: what did it really mean? However, upon further reflection, I realized that its purpose was merely to shock the audience and prolong the revelation.
Gojo returns, but not really
The passing of Gojo in Chapter 236 was a highly impactful event in Jujutsu Kaisen. The demise of the show’s beloved protagonist generated numerous speculations, each exploring possible ways for his resurrection.
Despite the devastating loss of Gojo, there was no possibility of his return. His death was definitive and dramatic, leaving no chance for a comeback. Although it was a painful outcome, it was a necessary sacrifice in order to pave the way for Yuji to take center stage.
After reconsidering, Gege decided to do something that very few series had successfully achieved. He resurrected Gojo, but not in the way his fans had hoped or anticipated. Instead, he threw in a surprise that left us all thinking: ‘What?’
In Chapter 260, Sukuna was in the midst of a heated battle with Yuji when he caught sight of a pair of unmistakable blue eyes. It left me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting the next chapter to uncover the mystery. And sure enough, in the following chapter, we were finally shown the familiar mark on Gojo’s face that provided the answer.
As it transpired, Yuta obtained Kenjaku’s cursed technique by killing him. When he became too injured to continue fighting, he utilized the technique to transfer his consciousness into Gojo’s lifeless body. His goal was to gain access to Limitless and the Six Eyes, the only abilities that stood a chance against the King of Curses.
Despite sacrificing his humanity and future, Yuta’s fate remained uncertain. The path ahead for the sorcerer was grim, as he could either perish in battle against Sukuna or continue living in another person’s body. While this sacrifice was a poignant moment filled with promises, it ultimately fell short of delivering the desired outcome.
Yuta Bears the Burden of Readers’ Expectations
Reviving a character is a delicate task as it involves not only carrying their past experiences but also bringing a significant transformation to the story. It can be easy to focus on one aspect and neglect the other, leading to a slip-up.
Despite this, there are situations where it falls short in both aspects. This unfortunate outcome befell Yuta’s Gojo transformation when he joined the battle and immediately engaged in a domain clash with Sukuna.
The prospect should have been thrilling, but it lacked excitement as we have witnessed the clash between Unlimited Void and Malevolent Shrine numerous times. However, the author could have incorporated a twist into the domain battle, providing readers with a fresh experience.
Despite this, there were no unexpected events. The clash played out just like every other before it, with Sukuna’s use of Domain Amplification causing the same surprise and resulting in no changes at all.
Additionally, their confrontation lacked the same excitement as the one with the actual Gojo. This is the main issue with the failed revival storyline: readers have specific expectations for Gojo and it is now unattainable for him to meet them.
Ultimately, Yuta’s character failed to make a significant impact on the story, leaving fans unimpressed. Unfortunately, the twist did not meet the high expectations and ultimately damaged Yuta’s character in the eyes of many.
Yuta’s Gojo Transformation Changed Nothing at All
Despite everything, Yuta’s transformation failed to have any real impact on the story, resulting in a missed opportunity for a successful revival story and instead serving as a mere plot device. This twist ultimately falls short as it ultimately changes nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Despite the transformation, there was nothing groundbreaking introduced. Throughout the prolonged clash between Gojo and Sukuna, the writer delved into all possible options. The combat featured amplified attacks, frequent use of Binding Vows, and the Ten Shadows Technique; there was truly no element that we hadn’t already witnessed in that battle.
Despite the intense battle between the transformed Yuta and Sukuna, I remained unfazed. As expected, Sukuna effortlessly countered all of Yuta’s attacks. Even when Yuta directed Hollow Purple at the ancient sorcerer, Sukuna emerged unscathed, just as he had in their previous encounters.
Yuta had Hana (and Angel) join in to use Jacob’s Ladder on Sukuna. As expected, Sukuna managed to survive once more, rendering Hana’s involvement in the fight irrelevant. This twist involving Yuta also holds little significance.
Despite its lack of impact, Yuta’s fusion with Gojo served one purpose – it gave Toge the opportunity for a brief reappearance, which was necessary after fans had voiced their concern about the author’s neglect of the character. Toge, a Cursed Speech user, utilized his technique to temporarily halt Sukuna, allowing Yuta to activate Hollow Purple. However, as previously stated, this action proved to be futile.
The plotline was used to drag out Yuji’s reveal
During Yuta’s time inhabiting Gojo’s body, the manga’s attention gradually turned towards Yuji. Despite Yuta’s exhaustion from utilizing Gojo’s techniques, Yuji impressively defeated Sukuna in close combat and ultimately unveiled his domain expansion in Chapter 264.
It was inevitable for Yuji, being the protagonist, to be the one to defeat Sukuna. This was clear from the start. Therefore, dragging out the story to this point seems unnecessary, especially since the events in the middle have little bearing on the final outcome.
Despite Yuta’s Gojo transformation, there were many other events that occurred during the Shinjuku Showdown Arc that could be considered similar. After Gojo’s death, Sukuna continuously battled against numerous opponents, which eventually became a recurring tactic.
The purpose of all this was simply to build up to Yuji’s ultimate technique. Even if Yuta had not taken over Gojo’s body, Yuji would still have had to unveil his domain. He was already fully prepared beforehand, so the twist was ultimately unnecessary.
Despite being one of the most well-written characters in the series, Yuta’s character was ultimately ruined by this situation. Up until a certain point, he was even viewed as a better protagonist than Yuji. His cool cursed technique and likable personality made him easy to root for.
Despite his return as Gojo, it diminishes the originality of his character. He was capable of shining without Gojo’s involvement and could have easily been incapacitated after his intense battle with Sukuna. This would have further developed his character, as he had already inflicted more harm on the King of Curses than anyone else.
Additionally, the author’s choice to simultaneously resurrect Gojo and Yuta altered our perception of both characters, but not for the better. In my view, certain storylines should remain untouched, and Gojo’s demise was one of them.
To learn more about Jujutsu Kaisen, read our thoughts on Gojo’s disappointing death and whether Megumi is responsible for the recent tragedies.
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