This post contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, currently available for U.S. readers from VIZ Media
Last week’s chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo is still weighing heavy on my heart. Left holding the bag full emotions that come with Cross being shot by one of the jujutsu sorcerers, it’s a brutal weight to bear. Needless to say, Chapter 13, “Acceptance,” is anything but acceptance for me. I understand why that title was chosen, but there’s nothing acceptable about what’s happening in this manga right now.
Chapter 13 is intense, albeit a bit scattered in places. It does offer some insight into the situation that will go a long way toward shaping the manga’s future. It also brings an important sorcerer from the past into the spotlight for a moment. Fans now have official confirmation that at least two out of the three original students introduced in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 are still alive. So, let’s take a look at everything learned in “Acceptance.”
The Consequences for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo’s Sorcerers Are Heavy
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Dabura coming onto the scene at the end of Chapter 12 left us all in a state of dread. After all, he has taken it upon himself to look out for the Rumelian people, most especially Cross and Maru. With Cross potentially on death’s door because of a human’s rash actions, the Japanese people of Earth will pay the price. And Dabura’s gonna collect.
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We at least get to see in the opening panel that Cross is still alive, albeit barely. With Jabaloma and Osuki standing at Cross’s bedside, the former is already talking about Cross like he’s dead. Osuki can’t stomach it, and as he yells his frustration, poor Maru just stands there, wide-eyed and silent at his brother’s bedside.
I think, given Osuki’s contribution to the problems, no one should be listening to him talk about anything. Later on, Dabura seems to think the same thing, but it’s obvious his hands are tied. The current situation is teetering on a knife’s edge. Given Dabura’s place as a warrior, his solution is almost definitely going to come down to combat.
Cross Wasn’t the Only One to Suffer the Consequences of the Showdown
As the scene shifts back to Japan, Tsurugi is talking to the medical jutsu practitioner, who’s just explained that she can’t neutralize the damage Dabura did to Usami. Despite Usami being a Grade 1 sorcerer, Dabura’s power is beyond anything that can be measured by jujutsu standards. This puts earth in a major bind because if a Grade 1 sorcerer has no effect on Dabura, would a Special Grade like Itadori even stand a chance?
Flashback to Usami’s Fate, and the final moments of the Tokyo showdown (that’s what I’m calling it now,) and we get our first real glimpse at the power Dabura wields. As he comes onto the scene and asks what they’re doing, Usami warns the sorcerers to stay where they are. Osuki and the others immediately start explaining that earth’s “pests” are actually Kalyans.
Yakumaru steps forward to protest their claims, and Dabura turns his attention on the culprit. His full essence is absolutely terrifying to behold, as he stands before a trembling Yakumaru. He can barely even squeak out the word yes when asked if he was the one who fired shots at Cross.
Before Dabura can take action against Yakumaru, Usami brings his hand up to use his cursed speech, calling out, “Don’t Move!” Unfortunately, it has zero effect on the monstrous Dabura, who tears off Yakumaru’s arm in the blink of an eye. Despite Jabaloma calling out for Dabura to control himself, he turns to Usami, asking if that was a human cursed technique.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 13 Really Defines Usami’s Character
Usami is suffering, and it only seems to get worse the more Dabura moves around freely, defying his cursed command. Even though he’s suffering, Usami continues to beg for them all to disperse. They can reconvene at a later time to work this out. Tempers are too hot, and now more than just Cross are suffering brutal injuries.
As Dabura surveys the scene, he notices that there are thirteen jujutsu sorcerers there. Cross was both powerful and special, but taking the lives of those thirteen humans wouldn’t be near enough to make up the difference. But it will have to suffice.
Usami makies one last attempt to beg for mercy. As Dabura looks over him, he’s reminded of his old friend, Dura, and it reaches him. Turning away, he tells Jabaloma they’re leaving. Usami collapses, and now we have no idea whether he will even survive, or not. If reverse-cursed technique can’t even neutralize the damage, chances look pretty slim at this point.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo’s Simurians Draw a Line in the Sand
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Keeping their distance from each other, with the Simurians lingering in space above the planet, they begin making demands. Their very first demand is that they want the extermination efforts stopped. In part, they also want the government to pass laws to protect cursed spirits. As the council discusses the improbability, they also know they don’t really have much choice.
Suggesting they treat Cross’s injuries on Earth, there are too many risks. Not understanding Simurian biology could pose an issue, and the damage itself might be beyond their ability to repair. It could end up doing more harm than good. The sorcerers go about conducting exorcisms at night, but it’s not enough.
The Simurians can still hear the cursed spirits, with Osuki in particular paying close attention. Issuing a decree that the Japanese government should declare the killing of cursed spirits and international crime. Their requests are illogical, and when the Simurians issue their next decree, it comes with a duel. They will establish their own government and take over Tokyo. If their wishes are refused, they will request judgment in the form of a duel.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Brings Another Hero Back Into Frame
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Nobara Kugisaki kind of got the short end of the stick in the original Jujutsu Kaisen. After taking a fatal blow from Mahito, readers spent most of the manga after The Shibuya Incident thinking she was dead. She did make a comeback near the end, and Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo confirms in Chapter 13 that she’s still alive.
In their continued search for Yuji Itadori, the only sorcerer who could potentially face off against Dabura and survive, they contact Kugisaki. So, we now know two of our three original heroes are still alive. We also learn that Yuji can’t physically age. As he’s stood by watching his friends and fellow sorcerers age and die, he can’t take it anymore. Kugisaki points out that despite his musclehead appearance, he’s surprisingly sensitive. Now, we just need to know what happened to Megumi, and all will be right in the world.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Is Left With No Other Choice
Without Itadori, however, it seems Jujutsu society only has one other option: Yuka Okkotsu. The final panel of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 13 suggests that Yuka may be on par with Yuji’s power. Being the granddaughter of Yuta, it’s a possibility we’re about to see exactly what Yuka can do. Maybe Tsurugi will even give her the cursed ring, which I hope is Rika, for the fight.
Yuta, by the time he came into his own, could copy cursed techniques. If Yuka inherited even a fraction of his abilities, she could definitely give Dabura something to think about. It’s also important to remember that at this point in her life, she already has nothing to lose. She’ll be dying soon anyway. Why not throw herself at the Deskunte warrior with all she’s got, and somehow manage to save everyone?
I want take a moment to appreciate just how much she looks like Yuta in that final panel. It’s a beautiful tribute to the special grade sorcerer Satoru Gojo promised would one day surpass even him. If anyone can do what needs to be done, it’s Yuta’s granddaughter. And I, for one, can’t wait.
I Have a Theory (It Isn’t Bunnies)
There were a lot of characters introduced in this chapter, but many of them are never named. There was on, in particular, who stood out to me. The medical sorcerer had me wondering if she might be the granddaughter of two characters from the original Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s nothing confirmed, but I have a theory that she might be the descendant of Shoko Ieri and Ijichi Kiyotaka.
Now, before you laugh my theory right out of the park, hear me out. Akutami sensei has been a little all over the place at times when it came to Shoko’s feelings for her fellow sorcerers. Many theorize she had a crush on Geto, but I don’t agree. In the anime, the way she twirls her hair while walking with Gojo after Yuji’s resurrection all but confirms her crush was on the strongest. Gojo, having no time for love, probably never even noticed Shoko’s crush on.
Meanwhile, Ijichi had a similar crush on Shoko, blushing like crazy whenever he was around her. He was always so nervous, and there are plenty of hints he had it bad for her. So, with Gojo dead, and Shoko grieving, what if she and Ijichi got together? I mean, they were sort of the last of their generation. It kind of makes sense.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 13 On a Scale of 1 to 10
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“Acceptance” wasn’t a bad chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, but it did feel a little less fulfilling after the major impact of Chapter 12. It felt a bit rushed, which is an odd thing, considering how long Akutami sensei drew out The Culling Games arc. I know we’re short on chapters for Modulo, but at the same time, so many characters and changes to the world are introduced without much explanation.
Still, it was a good chapter. It did its job in driving forward the upcoming duel with Dabura. We’ll finally get to see what Yuka Okkotsu is really made of. We learned more about Yuji and that Nobara Kugisaki was still alive. But, I am also finding myself wanting to know more about the sorcerers in this new era. So many have been introduced without any fanfare, and I get that it’s a story about Yuka, Tsurugi, Cross, and Maru, but I still want to know more.
I’m giving this week’s chapter a 7. Simply because I definitely wanted more from the experience. It was good, but not exceptional, like the last few chapters have been.
