This post contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, currently available for U.S. readers from VIZ Media
Five chapters into Jujutsu Kaisen‘s successor, Modulo, and we haven’t seen much in the way of fighting… yet. The constant bickering between the Okkotsu siblings doesn’t exactly count as fighting, even if they do it in nearly every chapter. Coming face to face with the real Masaki Takeda ended Chapter 4 on a cliffhanger. Maru’s down for the count, and Tsurugi’s on his own against a pretty eerie enemy.
In Chapter 5, “Senile” we finally get a glimpse of the legacy Maki and Yuta left behind in their grandchildren. Tsurugi steps up to the plate against the repeating first grader and his shikigami. With Maru down for the count, for now, he’ll have to hold out on his own. At least until his sister arrives. Fortunately, we get a glimpse at just how capable Tsurugi is, which is a beautiful tribute to the Heavenly Restriction he inherited from Maki.
Modulo Gives Us a Senile Curse User
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It wouldn’t be Shonen without some grandstanding and smacktalk before the big showdown. Often, it sets up the fight, gives us clues about the techniques they plan to use, and hypes us up for what’s to come. A lot of Takeda’s grandstanding in the panels leading to his battle with Tsurugi have him showing his hand. At least, he thinks that’s what he’s doing. When he starts repeating himself, Tsurugi actually wonders if the old man inside the child’s skinsuit (so disgusting, I can’t believe I just wrote those words) might be senile.
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Using the shikigami’s needle as a weapon, the old man charges into battle. Tsurugi recognizes he’s a pretty tough opponent, possibly on par Grade 1 sorcerer. He wants to take him out quickly, so he can check on Maru, but the outlook is murky. Instead, Tsurugi starts using talk no jutsu to turn the tables. Tsurugi is the perfect character to try talk no jutsu first. Considering his heavenly restriction, he may have phenomenal physical power, but he needs to channel cursed energy through tools in order to use it. That likely takes time.
Observing Takeda’s ability and power, Tsurugi asks him if he’s ever thought about using it to help people and make the world a better place. It’s here that Takeda starts spouting off about things that resonate in the heart, that taking a life is as memorable than saving one. He is desensitized to both acts, but he’s repeating himself. As Tsurugi notices this, he realizes it’s time to take action.
Yuka Tags Into the Fight With Takeda
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Seeing the Okkotsu siblings dive into battle together is a quick but beautifully illustrated team-up. The art in Modulo has been impressive from the start, and it only seems to get better. The way Iwasaki-sensei captures the fluidity of battle in this first big showdown is breathtaking.
Senile or not, however, Takeda still has a few tricks tucked away. At first glance, the fight looks liike it migyht be too easy. Before anyone can call triumph, Takeda is back at the top of his game after shedding his skin. Yuka takes a pin to the back, and Tsurugi takes two in the side. With both down, it looks like it’s the end of the fight.
But there’s one element that has been cleverly set aside since the early pages of this chapter: Maru. He’s still unconcious from the blow he took last chapter. As Takeda talks about going home to find his lost marbles because he’s bored, there’s a tremor. Gravity shifts, lifting stones, clods of dirt, skeleton parts and shovels into the air around them.
We’re About to Find Out Just How Dangerous Modulo’s Simurians Are
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The Simurian mystery drives Modulo’s plot, but revelations are about to be made. Tsurugi and Takeda both notice something amiss as things start floating up into the air around them. Maru, no longer unsconcious, is about to give us a display of Simurian capability. All we see of him in this final panel is that third eye open and looking toward the scene of the fight.
So far, Maru presents as a happy-go-lucky teenager excited for the opportunity to make new friends and neighbors. As I said last week, he’s like a puppy on the same level as Itadori. Happy to be here making friends, will tear anyone apart who gets in the way of that.
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With Takeda being a particularly bad neighbor, who also happens to be hurting Maru’s new human friends, things are about to get epic. Maru won’t be refraining from using his power. This creepy curse user just hurt his friends, and he’s not going to lie down and take that.
The problem with Maru involving himself in the fight is his connection to Cross. Cross has mixed feelings about humanity, and feeling Maru expend a bunch of curse energy isn’t going to earn Earth any favor. Humanity may find out sooner, rather than later, just how dangerous the Simurians are, and not just because Maru is showing his hand. The repercussions of Maru entering this battle could very well propel humanity into defense mode against their potential new alien allies.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 5: Senile On a Scale of 1 t0 10
I can’t deny how much I am loving Modulo, and, yes, I am fully on board with the aliens now. I am so excited to see how this continues to unfold with each new chapter. I can’t wait until Sundays now, just so I can dive into the next chapter. I said this last week, but it’s worth repeating: Akutami-sensei’s storytelling continues to grow even stronger, with characters that feel well-rounded and developed and a plot with so much potential.
From the captivating artwork to the solid story pacing, I give this week’s chapter a solid 9/10 without hesitation.
