This post contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, currently available for U.S. readers from VIZ Media
First and foremost, I just want to note that things escalated pretty damn quickly in this week’s chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo. I’ll get into that more later, but just… wow. Akutami sensei left us dangling off the edge of a cliff this week. I’m over here ready to skip Thanksgiving and the weekend just to find out what happens now.
In Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 11, the Simurians discover a shocking secret the humans were keeping from them, but it wasn’t out of malice. Both the Simurians and the Japanese were holding their cards close to the vest while vetting each other. And now, with their greatest difference laid bare, relations are going to be beyond tense moving forward. That tension instantly ramps things up to 11 as Chapter 12, “Inhuman Makyo,” fails to let cooler heads prevail.
All That’s Left is The Inhuman Makyo
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The shocking revelation at the end of Chapter 11 threw everyone for a loop, including me. Now, as Usami and Mino meet with Cross and Jabaloma about the Jujutsu Sorcerers seen killing a Kalyan in Tokyo, things get confusing. Even Mino insists Kalyans don’t even inhabit Earth, much less Tokyo. The look on Usami’s face in the final panel of page one, however, is one of absolute shock.
Usami realizes exactly where in Tokyo the alleged Kalyans were probably killed. Before he can explain, the chapter bounces over to Yuka and Tsurugi explaining things to Maru. After the devastation from Shibuya and the aftermath of the Culling games, the government needed an explanation to quell international panic. In order to keep the peace (and sanity,) people were told that cursed spirits only manifest in Tokyo.
It became Jujutsu society’s objective to limit cursed energy to Tokyo, which, in essence, makes that true. They set aside a place the general public no longer accesses: Japan’s former capital, Tokyo, aka, The Inhuman Makyo. After the Culling Games, it makes sense to abandon what’s left of Tokyo. Assigning the city the task of keeping cursed spirits in check is a near perfect solution.
As Yuka and Tsurugi explain the Inhuman Makyo, and how jujutsu society maintains it to Maru, we’re reminded of just how optimistic the three of them are. The building of their friendship has been at the center of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo from the start. It’s a small, colorful thread woven in among the darker shades of this chapter. Sadly, as things go from bad to worse, it’s not hard to recognize optimism and the spirit of friendship isn’t going to be enough.
It’s Too Late for Honesty In Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo
Image via VIZ Media
We see two sorcerers, one who is later identified as Yakumaru, preparing for the purification ritual. They head into the Inhuman Makyo, where multiple small curses gather. Normally, when there are that many curses in one place, it’s because they’re drawn to the energy of a larger curse. They explore more deeply and discover a wide-eyed Simurian standing protectively in front of a massive curse running its tongue over the Simurian’s face.
Things then switch back to Usami and Mino talking with Cross and Jabaloma about the differences between curses and Kalyans. Realizing that cursed spirits are as close as one could get to Kalyans on earth, they know they have to contact the purification ritual team immediately.
Yakumaru kills the curse, and we see a pack of Simurians closing in. Fortunately, Usami and the others arrive at the same time, with Usami using his cursed speech to try and calm everyone down. Osuki is among them, and he’s already in full on rage mode. Sadly, we all know Osuki has been looking for a reason to invade Japan, and this just might be it.
Leadership On Both Sides Failed in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo
Meanwhile, Cross trioes to explain the differences between cursed spirits and Kalyans to the Simurians, but the tension keeps rising. Osuki argues against the logic, pointing out the fact that there are tears pouring from his third eye. Cross notes that were it a Kalyan, the tears would be far more intense.
Leadership on both sides are willing to admit their blame in the incident. They both withheld important information about their practices and culture. Just when it finally seems like things are going to calm down, they escalate again. The two groups are about to go there separate ways so cooler heads can prevail, but Osuki and Yakumaru are both at war with their pride, and that’s when it happens…
The Perfect Balance Between Order and Chaos in Modulo Chapter 12
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If you’ve already read Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 12, you’ll notice I skip a few things. The chapter effortlessly bounces back and forth. We havethe happy-go-lucky trio of Maru, Yuka and Tsurugi on one page. Then we’re back to the serious situation Cross, Jabaloma, Usami and Mino are in with the Simurians and sorcerers in Tokyo. This beautifully balances the two sides of the same coin.
Maru has had plenty of time to get to know the Okkotsus in the field. There is a sense of camaraderie and trust that’s been established between the trio. They’re all genuinely excited about the future possibilities, but it provides a false sense of hope. When wars break out, it’s the people who’ve already made peace who pay the price. And I have a feeling these three are in for a world of heartache.
Under the surface, I know this whole thing is going to go badly, and the rest of the chapter does not disappoint. As things shift back to the rising tensions between Japan’s sorcerers and the Simurians, Yakumaru does the unthinkable. He shoots first and asks questions later. And the person to take the hit? Cross.
There’s No Coming Back Once Shots Are Fired
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The utter look of surprise on Cross’s face is devastating on a personal level. Akutami sensei spent all that time helping us understand why Cross was so hardened, and just when he starts to soften up, this happens. Sensei, we all know this is how Mahito gets birthed into the world, and I am so not ready for that jerk to have his cake and eat it too. I can already see him in my brain, grinning as he realizes his strength returns and his time is upon him. No one wants that. I seriously hate that guy.
Image property of Mappa Studios
Leaving us on a massive cliffhanger, not knowing if Cross will survive is killing me. I guess that means it’s good, though. I’m fully invested, so well done, but seriously! What is Dabura, who just so happens to come onto the scene at the end, going to do about this? Are we going to have to call in Yuji to put a stop to the alien war about to breakout in Japan? Even worse, is Yuji going to have to fight Mahito again on top of that? Because given their conviction that cursed spirits and Kalyans are the same, the Simurians would worship that patchwork piece of trash like a god.
Honestly, I love a good cliffhanger, but this one is really doing a number on my nervous system. I need to know right now that Cross is going to be okay. Because, yeah, he was a bit of a jerk before, but now he’s right up there with Maru as precious baby. I may riot if he dies.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 12 On a Scale of 1 to 10
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The power of this cliffhanger alone is enough to certify JJK Modulo Chapter 12’s brilliance. Way to keep people chewing their nails down to nubs for a week. As I noted above, I love the way this chapter shifts between the peaceful innocence and heartrending reality. It’s brilliantly done, and when we add to the realization that withholding important cultural information will quickly tear apart any efforts to make peace, we get a full-on 10/10.
I don’t need turkey or pumpkin pie. Black Friday deals mean absolutely nothing to me. I just want to know if Cross is going to be okay. Help me, Sensei. Please.
VOID RATING: 10/10
