Chapter 236 of Jujutsu Kaisen caused a social media storm by confirming the unexpected death of Gojo Satoru. This was even more shocking because in chapter 235, Gojo was declared the winner. Since escaping the Prison Realm, Jujutsu Kaisen has reached new heights, capturing the entire community’s attention. The battle between Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna stretched over months, with each week bringing surprising twists.
Gojo, who was used to living at the top, finally found a worthy opponent when Sukuna challenged him. The chapter officially released on September 24, 2023, but spoilers had leaked days earlier. Unanswered questions and an unsatisfying ending left many fans with a bitter taste.
Now, two years after Gojo’s death, is that sacrifice justified despite fans’ dissatisfaction?
Why is Gojo’s death so controversial?
While some expected Gojo might die, the way the author handled it sparked much debate. Declaring Gojo victorious in chapter 235 only to open the next chapter with his death felt like a plot twist many fans disliked.
The artificial hype and brief celebration before Gojo’s death seemed like a forced attempt to add drama but didn’t land well. Chapter 236 begins with teenage Gojo meeting deceased friends in a liminal world, where he faces a philosophical choice left open for readers to interpret.
Additionally, Gojo being cut in half happens off-screen, leaving fans confused about how Sukuna overcame Infinity and escaped the Six Eyes.
Many were also disappointed that other characters showed little reaction despite Gojo’s importance in their lives. Even by the manga’s end, there was no proper farewell, funeral, or final words for him, aside from a scene of Yuji remembering him.
Gojo’s death also sparked many resurrection theories, all of which were denied. Even in a supernatural world, the concepts of life and death remain unchanged. Moreover, Gojo accepted his defeat with a smile.
Gojo’s death is now more accepted but still leaves fans unsatisfied
After the debates settled, many fans gradually accepted that things weren’t as bad as they feared. The story’s focus shifted from battles between the strongest to a united fight against the strongest, where many sorcerers join forces to defeat Sukuna.
In shonen series, the main villain is usually defeated by the protagonist. This means Gojo could only weaken Sukuna. Ultimately, that’s what happened. Gojo’s and others’ sacrifices paved the way for Yuji to finally defeat the antagonist. Although dissatisfaction with how Gojo’s death was handled remains, it served its purpose.
Gojo’s dream remains unfulfilled
Although Gojo’s death is tragic, the saddest part is that his dream of reforming the Jujutsu world did not come true as he wished. He wanted to avoid killing all the conservatives and build a new Jujutsu world without bloodshed. Yet, he still had to become a monster, hoping to secure a better future for his students.
In the sequel, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, society has improved but remains far from ideal. Yuta’s granddaughter Yuka being forced to hand over her keepsake to her brother Tsurugi, and both children being rejected by the Gojo clan, show this is not the world Gojo envisioned.
Prejudices about “strong” and “weak” persist, and the overall level of Jujutsu sorcerers has significantly declined after the battle with Sukuna. This raises concerns if powerful threats suddenly appear without anyone prepared to face them.