Somewhere in the offices of Shonen Jump magazine, Gege Akutami meets with his editor.
Editor: Congratulations, Akutami-sensei, on completing Jujutsu Kaisen. Now, for your next series, we thought maybe a spinoff in the same universe would be interesting to readers. Do you have any ideas –
Akutami: Aliens
Editor: … …
Akutami: Alien invasion.
Editor: … Genius.
Following the monumental success of Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK), Gege Akutami published a short-term sequel series, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo (Modulo). Set 68 years after the events of JJK, Modulo follows Yuka and Tsurugi Okkotsu as they navigate the arrival of aliens who can also wield cursed energy. With Yuji Iwasaki providing the art, Modulo became more than worthy of taking up the mantle. Here is a full review of the manga series. For individual chapter reviews, click here.
SPOILER WARNING
Story and Characters
It was very ambitious for Akutami (writer) to author a sequel to JJK. The initial hook of Modulo relies on readers already being familiar with the world and characters. There are plenty of callbacks and references to the first series. Sharp-eyed fans will be rewarded for their prior knowledge, but even the most die-hard readers will struggle to remember every little detail as it relates to Modulo’s new story.
The new story and characters are actually where Modulo shines and even surpasses JJK. Aliens with similar powers to jujutsu sorcerers immediately make them relevant to the world. They come to Earth seeking refuge, which naturally comes with a lot of political red tape. Yuka and Tsurugi Okkotsu are the primary liaisons for the ambassadors, Maru and Cross. Watching these four interact is the highlight of the series. They carry the weight of the story, reflecting the larger issue at hand: foreign relations.
One thing that vastly improved from JJK to Modulo is thematic storytelling. At its core, Modulo is a story about coexistence and what one is willing to sacrifice in pursuit of it. Do you hold tight to an idealistic vision, turning a blind eye to reality? Do you defend your way of life even if it means perpetuating a cycle of violence? Do you act in accordance with your own values at the risk of losing those around you? The characters speak and act from these perspectives. It gives every scene weight and purpose that defines the conflict. Beneath the shonen-battle-action formula lies a nuanced look into how we treat the different, the other. It’s a poignant thematic element heightened by the stunning illustrations.
Art and Presentation
Yuji Iwasaki provided the art for Modulo, and their work is nothing short of excellent. They have polished a style that perfectly balances the cartoony and dynamic nature of shonen manga. The character expressions go a long way in helping the readers understand the emotion behind the words. One second, Tsuguri will be playing the straight man to Maru’s pure-hearted innocence, the next, they’ll be staring daggers at their opponent. It’s a seamless transition from levity to drama.
Of course, what’s a shonen battle-action manga without battles or action? Iwasaki (artist) more than delivers on this front. Incredibly detailed backgrounds, visual motifs, dynamic angles, and stellar character designs put Modulo heads and shoulders above most modern shonen. What is most impressive is the panel layout and how the action flows through the page. Iwasaki expertly guides the reader’s eye through each movement of the fight. The action line of a character’s attack will naturally transition into the next panel, where we see the impact, follow-through, and set up for the next strike all at once. Modulo is worth the read for the art if nothing else.
Conclusion
Jujutsu Kaisen: Modulo is an unexpected but very successful follow-up to a modern manga classic. Akutami’s layered and nuanced writing, paired with Iwasaki’s masterful art, elevate the series to new heights. It is still bogged down by lengthy exposition, and the pacing can be inconsistent. It also relies heavily on prior knowledge of the world and characters. This dampens the significance of several crucial plot details for new readers. What Modulo ultimately seeks to do is expand on the world of Jujutsu Kaisen by exploring new themes and ideas. There is an intention behind the work that creates engagement with the reader, rarely seen in Shonen Jump. It is very much worth the read for fans of Jujutsu Kaisen.
All chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen: Modulo are available to read on the official Viz Media website with an active subscription. Anime Fire also has weekly reviews of the chapters here.
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