Yuji and Sukuna’s Rivalry in Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 265

Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, once again surprised readers with chapter 265. In the previous chapter, fans were left in awe when Yuji Itadori finally spoke the words that everyone had been eagerly waiting for: Domain Expansion.

During the one-week break between chapters 264 and 265, numerous theories emerged regarding the nature and features of Yuji’s Domain. However, instead of following the expected path, Akutami chose to explore the pink-haired teenager’s backstory.

In chapter 265 of Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji takes Sukuna on a journey through his memories, sharing his childhood experiences and presenting his beliefs. Despite the lack of physical confrontation, this exchange serves as evidence of the stark contrast between Yuji and Sukuna.

The Diverging Paths of Yuji and Sukuna: An Analysis of Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 265

Yuji and Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 265 (Image via Gege Akutami, Shueisha)

Chapter 265 of Jujutsu Kaisen opened with Yuji pleading with Sukuna to have a brief conversation with him. Although they were both in Yuji’s Domain, he was uncertain if it was truly his own as he had hastily transported them there during their intense battle. Nonetheless, their ensuing discussion proved to be captivating.

Yuji takes Sukuna on a journey, slowly revealing all the places he went and the experiences he had as a child. He proudly shares memories of growing up in Sendai, his go-to ice cream shop, catching crayfish, practicing archery, and more. As they near the end, Yuji emphasizes the significance of each person’s role in life and how even the smallest memories hold value.

He continues to explain that this was the reason for his intense hatred towards the Demon King – the fact that the latter showed no regard for human life. To the Demon King, individuals were only pawns to be used for his own entertainment, with no intrinsic worth.

From their entire interaction, it is evident that Sukuna does not value anything that Yuji does. This is demonstrated in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 265, where Sukuna responds to Yuji’s monologue by saying that he did not care and simply accepted things as they were, before moving on.

As previously stated in Jujutsu Kaisen, Sukuna’s sole motivation was his own self-interest. He lived life on his own conditions, without any attachments. However, for Yuji, there is much at stake, which has caused him significant hardship. Unlike Sukuna, Yuji saw individuals for who they truly were, rather than what they could provide or how they could benefit him. As a result, their ideals are at odds with one another.

Sukuna adopted a predatory mentality, positioning himself as the apex predator. He is solely intrigued by strength and only acknowledges those who possess true power. In contrast, Yuji holds beliefs that are completely opposite, as he is driven by selflessness and a determination to assist those around him, even if it means sacrificing his own well-being. The boy sees himself as expendable, a mere “cog in the machine”.

Furthermore, Sukuna’s lack of respect towards Yuji stems from his failure to acknowledge Yuji’s strength. Sukuna views Yuji’s utilization of Cursed Energy (CE) as simplistic, despite the fact that CE is capable of remarkable achievements. It should also be noted that Sukuna’s rise to power was achieved through egocentric means, viewing others as mere instruments rather than valuable allies or individuals worthy of safeguarding.

In the meantime, Yuji has significantly increased his strength by doing the opposite. Although he may not yet be on par with the top tier sorcerers of the Jujutsu Society, he is certainly getting closer to reaching their level.

This also stems from selfishness, albeit in a different manner. Yuji’s selflessness is manifested by prioritizing the well-being of others, which goes against the principles of jujutsu sorcery.

Concluding Thoughts

Sukuna vs Yuji (Image via Gege Akutami, Shueisha)

Despite their similarities in some aspects of the story, Yuji and Sukuna stand out as one of the most distinctive pairings in animanga. Their stark differences are evident, with one embodying selfishness while the other constantly puts others before himself.

In Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 265, the conflict of beliefs between Yuji and Sukuna is explored, highlighting their inability to coexist, similar to the relationship between Hana Kurusu and Angel. It was inevitable that they would eventually confront each other, making the Final Showdown an appropriate culmination.

Yuji’s battle against Sukuna goes beyond a mere physical confrontation. It is a clash of ideals, a debate on the definition of strength, and a conflict of perspectives on the value of life.

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