The Boiling Point
The conflict has reached the point of no return. The Simurians and the Japanese sorcerers try their best to protect their own interests while maintaining a sense of diplomacy. One too many oversteps could mean an all-out war.
SPOILER WARNING!
Following the confrontation from the previous chapter, Cross is in critical condition, and Usami is afflicted with backlash from his Cursed Speech. The Simurians continue to push for the protection of cursed spirits, going so far as to threaten to establish an independent nation in the Tokyo territory. The Japanese sorcerers continue their exorcisms for their own safety and that of the public.
After a month of back and forth, the Simurians enact their one-on-one duel tradition, choosing Dabura as their champion. The Japanese desperately want to select Yuji Itadori as their champion, but they have no idea where he is. In the end, Yuka Okkotsu is chosen to fight.
Huge Implications
I was riveted reading this chapter. Each new revelation added a layer of intrigue to the story that kept me glued to the panels. The best part, in my opinion, was that everything still felt cohesive. I especially love that the struggle between the Simurians and Japanese feels like a real political struggle. Both sides work in accordance with their own values and beliefs, but that naturally causes tension. Compromises are proposed and shot down. Certain voices are elevated while others are ignored. Neither side is necessarily wrong, which makes the conflict all the more complicated.
This chapter was also a great way to establish a timeline within the Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK) world. We get probably the biggest cameo to date from Nobara Kugisaki, from the first series. She drops several key pieces of information about Yuji that inform what his life has been like since the defeat of Sukuna. It was genuinely heartbreaking to learn of the burden he has to carry. Hearing Nobara praise and berate him in her typical brusque tone was surprisingly nostalgic.
Finally, the chapter ends on the biggest reveal, that Yuka will face off against Dabura. Let’s not forget that her time is limited. She now has only 5 months left to live. Iwasaki’s (artist) portrait of her at the end of the chapter highlights the stress and anxiety, especially with those disturbing dead eyes. Yuka looks exactly like how Yuta, her grandfather, looked when he got serious.
Next week’s chapter is going to be wild. I’m bracing myself to have my heart broken. This is clearly not the end, but what happens after is anyone’s guess. Catch up on the story by visiting the official Viz Media manga webpage for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo.
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