This post contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, currently available for U.S. readers from VIZ Media
Six chapters in, and Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo is pulling out all the stops to remind fans why JJK is one of the most successful manga of the last five years. Continuing the traditon of the original series, Modulo puts our emotions squarely between a rock and a hard place. Chapter 6, “Berserk,” is a heavy-handed reminder of the past, while looking squarely into the future.
Even a year after the manga finished, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s most brutal arc for a lot of fans remains The Shibuya Incident. Shibuya is where things in JJK get serious. There’s less laughter and quirky jokes (unless we count that chapter that finally saw Kenjaku taken out). Yuji faces his most heartwrenching moment when he awakens in Shibuya admidst the smoldering aftermath of Sukuna’s destructive game. From there, it all feels like it goes downhill.
Modulo, on the other hand, isn’t messing around. Just six chapters, and we’re already witness to what will no doubt shape the heaviness of the plot’s future.
Cross Controlling Maru Is Painfully Reminescent of Shibuya
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At the end of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 5, it almost seems like Maru is awakening. We quickly learn Cross is calling the shots, and get a clear picture of how dangerous the twins’ connection is. We don’t know yet if Maru is helplessly on the inside looking out, but there’s a subtle hint he may be.
Whether Maru initiated the use of his powers remains unclear. We can almost assume it was a last ditch effort on his part to protect his new friends. If that’s the case, Maru put a lot of trust in his brother to do the right thing. Given what we saw of Cross in previous chapters, it’s hard to expect much from him. I’m not saying he is as bad as Sukuna, but his destructive capabilities seem to be on the same level.
As the battle in Chapter 6 escalates, Cross uses his brother’s body like a weapon. Even as he wagers the consequences of war with the humans, it seems a minor triviality to him. The stark differences between the twins makes me want to learn even more about their lives before coming to Earth. With the Simurians divided between peaceful coexistence and invasion, what kind of lives drove them here in the first place?
The Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Aliens Seem Slightly Less Brutal Than Sukuna
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Seeming isn’t always believing, especially when it comes to Jujutsu Kaisen. While this battle betwen Takeda and Maru/Cross has undertones similar to Sukuna’s destruction of Shibuya, it’s smaller in scale. There won’t be a big hole left in the middle of Tokyo when all is said and done, but that’s not the point.
Cross is using Maru’s body in a similar way to Sukuna using Yuji’s body. Through their third eye, Cross is able to control his brother’s body and cursed energy, which begs the question: Is Maru aware? Is he going to wake up like Yuji did in the middle of Shibuya, cursing himself for letting it happen?
The most difficult part for Yuji (and readers) is knowing Shibuya never would have happened if he hadn’t swallowed Sukuna’s cursed finger. Maru is on the cusp of facing a similar awakening in Modulo. Comparing Maru and Itadori aside, it does paint a clear picture of the brothers’ relationship. And it makes me sad that their personalities are split down the middle the way they are.
Takeda’s Flashback Cements Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo’s Protagonist Comparison
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I have been saying it for several chapters now. Maru has a very similar energy to Yuji Itadori. As curse user Takeda is dealing with his fear during this confrontation, he flashes back. He wants to run away, and with good reason. It shamefully reminds him of the last time he had to run for his life after facing defeat. The manga doesn’t outright confirm that the nightmare from Takeda’s memory is Itadori. That said, the hooded figure in the panel bears a striking resemblance to JJK‘s protagonist.
In my opinion, this is brilliantly done. Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo needs to stand on its own two feet, and being set so far into the future gives it a clean-ish slate. We still have major connections to core characters, Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin. We’ve had mention of heroes past. But for all intents and purposes, Modulo is its own story. Just like Maru is his own character. He may be optimistic and adorable like Yuji Itadori, but in the end, he’s not Yuji.
The Parallels Are Familiar, But Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Is Still It’s Own Thing
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Cross isn’t Sukuna, any more than Maru is Yuji. Both are something else entirely. Given the way Cross backs off and calms Maru before he attacks Tsurugi at the end of the chapter says volumes. Unlike core Sukuna, Cross may be more likely to see reason. Or, he may just be trying to protect his own reputation. Maru’s actions inadvertently starting the war he sees as inevitable could be bad for Cross.
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Earlier on in the battle, Cross notes he isn’t worried about war with the humans. This whole battle could be the thing that tips the scale toward all out war. They have their secret weapon, Dabura, up their sleeves, so what’s there to worry about? Allowing Maru to end Tsurugi while he’s vulnerable is the perfect catalyst, but Tsurugi isn’t going down.
He remembers Maru talking to him about wanting to be friends. As he studies the situation, Tsurugi realizes Maru isn’t even conscious or aware of what he’s doing. When Cross tells his brother to finish Tsurugi off, the older Okkotsu sibling begins calling out for him to wake up. This isn’t who Maru is, and he knows it. Despite not having known him long, he witnesses Maru’s kindness and curiosity firsthand on more than one occasion.
There Is Obviously More to Cross’s Animosity We Need to Discover
Maru makes it easy to adore him. Cross, on the other hand, is much harder to understand. Whether it’s because of things he witnessed on the journey, or something else, Cross isn’t just antagonistic. He’s either very bitter about something, or he’s trying to impress his higher ups. Only time (and more story) will tell if Cross, Maru, and the other Simurians’ story gets more development before things descend into war.
Considering the role they play front and center in Modulo, that would make sense. On the other hand, I am reminded that plans for Modulo aren’t long term. I also can’t help but remember how unsympathetic Sukuna was as a villain. Even the fact that Sukuna had a troubling childhood isn’t enough to make fans feel for him.
Because Maru and Cross are brothers, and twins at that, their shared experiences should provide insight into their personalities. Maru is willing to learn, grow and befriend humans, so why isn’t Cross?
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo On a Scale of 1 to 10
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There’s so much I want to know. I can’t wait to learn more about Maru and Cross, and I am excited to see how Jujutsu society reacts to the latest developments. The parallels between characters from the original and Modulo are so compelling. Despite those parallels, the story is still unique, which gives me a lot of hope.
I won’t deny I am fully invested in this story now. Aliens are my new favorite all over again, and that’s saying a lot. I am putting my trust in Akutami-sensei to tell a compelling story. So far, so good, Sensei! I’m giving this week’s chapter a full 10/10.
