Summary
Warning: SPOILERS for Jujutsu Kaisenchapter #265
The Shinjuku Showdown arc ofJujutsu Kaisenhas been an unpredictable rollercoaster, but chapter #265 seems to show the series gearing up fora climactic end. After Sukuna gota hard-won triumph against Gojoin one of shōnen’s most anticipated showdowns, got foiled by a frame-perfect salvation from Todo, and Yuta’s unexpected return in Gojo’s body,only Itadori Yuji stands in Sukuna’s way.
At the end of chapter #264,Yuji finally expands his domain: a moment fans have been anxiously awaiting. Scrambling to pin down Sukuna, who had just taken down Todo and Hana, Yuji remembers Gojo’s lectures on domain expansion and manifests the technique himself. Chapter #265 allows readers to see inside his domain as Yuji attempts towin over Sukuna and end his rampage, but it also ends with a shocking declaration that foreshadows the end of the series.
Yuji Confronts Sukuna During A Trip Down Memory Lane
Despite His Best Efforts, Yuji Is Unable To Win Sukuna Over
The chapter starts where chapter #264 left off, as Yuji and Sukuna leave a train station and traverse a city from Yuji’s youth. Over the course of the chapter, Yuji divulges a long-awaited backstory, describing his childhood being raised by his grandfather while pushing back against Sukuna’s protests and impatience. Crawfish, archery, and botany add humanizing complexity to Sukuna while alsoserving as allegories for the two’s relationship.
The refreshing serenity follows dozens of chapters of battle, but it doesn’t last long. Yuji eventually confronts Sukuna, stating that his own idea of life’s meaning has changed, so perhaps it’s not too late to make Sukuna feel empathy for humans. Realizing his fruitless efforts,Yuji thencoldly affirms that he could kill Sukuna, and that he will do that unless the King of Curse abandons Megumi’s body and comes back into Yuji’s. Sukuna becomes aware that the tables have turned and Yuji is pitying him, and the chapter concludes with him threatening to kill everyone Yuji loves before his very eyes in retaliation.
Jujutsu KaisenSets Up A Final Showdown
Yuji’s Bold Declaration Means The Series Is Nearing Its End
Chapter #265 pulls together various plot elements to hint at a climactic finale between Yuji and Sukuna. Efforts to extract Sukuna from Megumi’s body have been ongoing since he took it over. Furthermore, Sukuna’s violent reaction to Yuji’s pity builds on exposition from chapter #248 when Sukuna reflects on his disdain for Yuji’s indomitable willpower.
Although Sukuna is battered by Gojo and the battles that followed, it’s hard to predict what will come next. Yuji’s domain expansion also follows him landing multiple black flashes on Sukuna in a row, and his already tremendous strength has clearly only grown since the start of the arc. Sukuna, however, recovered his Reverse Cursed Technique, and he remains incredibly strong, but Yuji’s full potential hasonly just started to be unveiled. The recent revelation of his status as the son of Sukuna’s reincarnated twin leaves open the possibility that the two will be much closer in strength than readers might anticipate.
At any rate, in chapter #259, Yuji had started to lose faith until Todo’s last-minute appearance revitalized him; chapter #265, with references many of Yuji’s fallen comrades,puts his renewed resolve on clear display.While it’s uncertain who will be victorious between Yuji and Sukuna, what’s clear is thatJujutsu Kaisen’s most decisive battle is on the horizon, and it’s unlikely that the series will continue for long after that.
