This post contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 23, currently available for U.S. readers from VIZ Media
I want to start by saying I dread this week’s review of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo. It isn’t going to be a celebration of my love for Jujutsu Kaisen. Instead, it will be a likely long-winded and dreadfully sad criticism on Akutami Sensei’s struggle with endings and resolution. I may not be a mangaka, but I’ve told stories in my lifetime. And… I, too, struggle with endings and resolution.
When I was writing fiction, the gradual descent from a story’s pinnacle was often one of my greatest obstacles. That’s probably why it’s so easy for me to recognize and criticize. It’s always easier to see it in someone else’s work. It’s one reason I always felt I was a better editor than writer in some ways. I can honestly say that, until recently, I didn’t have a single major complaint about Modulo. Now, with the ending looming close, fear grips me. Am I going to be seriously disappointed?
What Is Even Happening In Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 23?
Image property of VIZ Media
It’s not entirely unclear what transpires between Yuji and Maru in Chapter 23, “Ritual of Harmony,” but it does feel like it’s wandering. Yuji going through the process of explaining how it would be impossible to get rid of all cursed energy is pretty straightforward. Even Maru’s realization regarding Kalyans and Cursed Spirits sharing a soul color with Rumelians isn’t confusing. It makes sense and explains things that have peaked mild curiosity across the series.
Now, where things get real bizarre is in the Ritual of Harmony. This should make things right among everyone, in theory. As Marulu comes to a conclusion, it begins to feel very hand-wavy. He wants to change the “Pathway of Souls” into a device that splits souls for reshaping. As all the souls on Earth pass through, they will be reshaped and then scattered to remove cursed energy from as many as possible.
Yuji acknowledges that this is the only way, even though it will potentially destroy the Kalyan that was on the Rumelian ship. Next thing we know, it’s a whole new world… without explanation. We just transition into the after, and everything is happy Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo land. WEEEEEEE!
Okay…Everything Isn’t Really Happy In Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, Though
Image property of VIZ Media
Without any kind of fanfare, the next thing we see is Dabura collecting the black rope so he can free his sister. What happens to Mahoraga? Maru apologizes for interrupting an epic duel between warriors. That’s disappointment number one. Dabura is in the middle of this warrior-awakening battle, and blemp. It’s just… done? Seriously, this is almost as disappointing as Yuji not really getting to even so much as punch Mahito.
Then Maru’s just gonna ship Dabura off back to Simuria with his sister. He worries, however, that he isn’t fulfilling his promise to Dura, but Maru assures him they are all a-okay now.
Bye Dabura. You were amazing. I’m sorry I didn’t get to ship you with Kyoko Tomoe like I wanted to. You would have been so happy with that adorable little human girl, but I get it. You wanna save your sister from her death curse, but why do you need to go back to Simuria to do it? I mean… isn’t she right there with you? I wish I knew.
Hand wave… and… he’s gone with Spejo. (Don’t know who that is? It’s his sister, apparently. She’s been with him this whole time.)
Image property of VIZ Media
Let’s Just Poof Everything All Better!
Okay, I get it. Marulu finally understands his technique now. He’s got it all figured out. Poof! Yuka is healed. Poof! Tsurugi is healed. Poof! Cross is healed! Poof, Usami is healed! There isn’t a single thing left in the world that could possibly be awful now. No one died (that we know of, except that one guy Dabura destroyed.)
No one suffered permanently, and the world’s cursed energy is all good. Well, save for those poor cursed spirits Yuji will be responsible for, at least for the next 300 years. But they’ll fix that too, with the almighty shonen power of friendship.
Here’s what’s wrong with that: Where are the consequences of what Maru and Yuji did in these last couple chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo? Are we going to get to actually see them? I know this isn’t the end, yet, but it rushes so aimlessly through what feels like the most instrumental part of the manga.
You know what bothers me most? I feel like I missed something, somewhere. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention, and some important piece of the puzzle slipped past my radar. But I know I didn’t miss something. I read each chapter 2-3 times, especially when it’s a little confusing and I’m planning to write about it.
JJK Modulo Hasn’t Given Fans Closure, Yet
Image property of VIZ Media
The Ritual of Harmony that closes out the chapter is emotional. With so many cursed spirits falling, the emotional burden of the sin Maru and Yuji agree to commit is more than Maru can bear. Fortunately, Cross is there to take his hand and do it with him. And not just Cross, but Yuki and Tsurugi, too. Together, the four of them finish the ritual, tears streaming down the Simurians’ faces.
I can’t help but question how the human sorcerers and Simurians are going to react to all of this, once they find out the full extent of it. If we even get to see that unfold, I mean. I’m worrying a little that won’t happen, and there will be a ton of unanswered questions at the end of Modulo.
I’ve seen some conflicting opinions, of course. Some fans think it’s just a matter of not reaching the end yet. Others feel like Akutami Sensei just doesn’t know how to write a solid ending. I’m not even going to get into what the other-others were saying. I believe Sensei is perfectly capable of telling a compelling story. After all, Jujutsu Kaisen didn’t rise to prominence on nothing but hot air.
The thing is, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s manga also struggled to reach a satisfying conclusion. A lot felt open to interpretation, which isn’t a bad thing in moderation. Fans aren’t always going to get every little detail, and they will make their own conclusions for some things. But an entire chunk of the story shouldn’t feel open-ended. That’s how this feels right now.
I really hope Chapter 24 brings something that will smooth things over and send this manga out on a high note. I’m not holding my breath.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 23 on a Scale of 1 to 10
Image property of VIZ Media
I shouldn’t feel guilty, giving one of my favorite franchises such a low score. Sadly, for me, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 23 was fair to middling, at best, and that earns it a 5 out of 10. I am really hoping against hope it makes a comeback, but, again, I’m not holding my breath. Guess I will reserve judgment for Sunday, and end this little rant before it gets even more ridiculous and out of hand.
I think the only thing that might cheer me up on the Jujutsu horizon this week is the anime’s return with Episode 8. I’m really looking forward to seeing Higuruma for the first time, so I’m just going to focus on that instead of dwelling on my Modulo feels.
