Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Akutami's Biggest Mistake With Gojo, Explained
Gojo Satoru, the beloved strongest sorcerer in Jujutsu Kaisen, deserved a more fitting end. Here's why his death left fans unsatisfied and the story could have done more to honor his legacy.
The ending of Jujutsu Kaisen was emotionally charged, with one of the most heartbreaking moments being the death of Gojo Satoru. A fan favorite and arguably the face of the series, Gojo’s departure struck a chord with audiences, many of whom were left dissatisfied by the way his death was handled. While Gojo’s role in the story made his death inevitable, there’s no denying that Gege Akutami’s execution of his final moments fell short, especially considering the significance of his character. Let’s explore why Gojo’s death, though necessary, was a missed opportunity in Jujutsu Kaisen.
The Anticipated Showdown: Gojo vs. Sukuna
The clash between Gojo Satoru and Ryomen Sukuna was one of the most anticipated battles in the series. Fans had long speculated about when and how this epic confrontation would unfold. Despite Gojo’s overwhelming strength, his death felt like an inevitability, not because he was weaker than Sukuna but because the story needed Yuji Itadori to rise and claim his own narrative.
Gojo's performance in the fight was stellar—he held his own against Sukuna, even with the power of Megumi’s 10 Shadows Technique at Sukuna’s disposal. Yet, despite Gojo’s dominance in the battle, his death came about in a rather anticlimactic way. Sukuna managed to bypass Gojo’s Infinity through an unexpected method, ultimately cutting Gojo down. While this was necessary for the progression of the story, especially for Yuji’s growth, the manner in which Gojo was defeated left many fans unsatisfied, especially given his monumental status as the strongest sorcerer.
Gojo’s Death: A Lack of Acknowledgment
One of the most glaring issues with Gojo’s death was the complete lack of emotional recognition from the characters around him. Despite being the backbone of the Jujutsu Society and a key figure in the series, Gojo’s death was barely acknowledged by the other characters. After his death in Chapter 236, the story continued without a significant pause for reflection on his passing. Characters, aside from a select few like Yuta Okkotsu, barely seemed to react to his loss, and his legacy felt almost disregarded.
Perhaps the most jarring aspect was that Gojo was never given a funeral or a proper tribute. While other characters who died in the series, such as Tsumiki, were given a funeral, Gojo’s body was used in an almost disrespectful manner. Yuta, with Gojo’s consent, used Gojo’s body as a vessel in the battle against Sukuna, and the body itself was mutilated, stitched together, and never shown any form of reverence. This felt like a missed opportunity to give Gojo the respectful send-off he deserved, especially after his unwavering dedication to protecting the Jujutsu world.
Gojo’s Dream Lives On Through Yuji
Despite the rushed and disappointing way Gojo was written out of the story, his dream for the future of the Jujutsu world was not in vain. Gojo’s confidence in Yuji Itadori, the protagonist, was clear. Gojo entrusted his vision of resetting the Jujutsu Society and nurturing the next generation of sorcerers to Yuji. Even in his death, Gojo’s impact remained crucial, as Yuji and Yuta became the torchbearers for Gojo’s dream of a better, safer world.
Gojo's death, while tragic, allowed Yuji to step into a position of leadership, and his legacy lived on in the actions of Yuji and Yuta, two of the most beloved characters in the series. Their bond with Gojo helped shape the future of the Jujutsu world, and even if Gojo wasn’t able to see his dream come true, his influence was felt in their resolve to carry it forward.
The Final Chapter and Gojo’s Legacy
As Jujutsu Kaisen concluded with Chapter 271 in September 2024, fans were left with mixed feelings about Gojo’s fate. While his death served as a pivotal moment in the story and propelled Yuji’s growth, the lack of proper closure for Gojo as a character was a noticeable flaw in the narrative. His fans deserved more, especially considering his status as the series’ most iconic and influential character. Perhaps, if Jujutsu Kaisen continues in the future, the series will explore more about Gojo’s legacy through Yuji and Yuta’s journey, offering fans a sense of closure and a proper tribute to the strongest sorcerer.
Jujutsu Kaisen fans can continue reading the series through the Manga Plus and Shonen Jump apps, where the world of Jujutsu continues to evolve, even without Gojo’s presence. However, for many, the memory of Gojo Satoru will live on as one of the most complex and tragic figures in modern manga.