This post contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, currently available for U.S. readers from VIZ Media
For months, there has been all kinds of speculation in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo. How will Yuji Itadori and Mahito fit into the grand scheme of things? Both characters are supporters in this story, with the main focus on the Okkotsu siblings and Simurian twins. Modulo‘s most recent chapter alludes to a greater purpose for the enemies than we might have guessed, though.
With Tsurugi reaching his epic potential at the end of Chapter 20, there was worry on my part. Would he really follow through on defeating Marulu? Would the overwhelming power of his Heavenly Restriction be something he could deny once he went all out? I have been a bit on edge, worrying that one or both of them would die. With Yuka and Cross already at death’s door, losing them would be more than my little JJK-beating heart could handle.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Revisits Maki’s Greatest Regret
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It almost feels a little bit like Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 21, “The Awaited One Arrives,” moves in-tandem with Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3. It’s been a couple of weeks since we saw Maki destroy the Zen’in Clan. It’s feat we all know she couldn’t have completed without Mai’s sacrifice, just as we also know Maki never wanted Mai dead. Starting the chapter off with Tsurugi remembering this conversation with Granny Maki’s regret feels fitting. Like he actually took the wisdom she imparted to heart.
Seeing him collapse into Maru’s arms, sword dropping to the ground, it’s a testament to his true strength. Choosing to create a future where he and Maru both still exist is one he can live with. The other choice just doesn’t feel right. Thank you, Sensei, for making Yuta and Maki’s grandchildren into compassionate people. I know it doesn’t matter what I think, as one reader out there in the void, but it’s nice to see that despite the darkness that has become jujutsu society, not all hope is lost.
Maru and Tsurugi both realizing they have no idea what to do is fitting. Here they are, two kids, 17 and 18, with the weight/fate of the galaxy on their shoulders. It’s so heavy, and so unfair. Seeing Tsurugi collapse and Maru just drop down beside him in confusion breaks my heart.
Dabura’s Domain Expansion Just Took Jujutsu Kaisen to Another Realm
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What follows Maru and Tsurugi’s existential crisis gets a little confusing, so we really have to pay attention from here on out in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo. Rika took all of the cursed energy from Tsurugi when she left him, and it’s now stored inside Yuta’s ring with her. I assume this is why she’s standing in front of Maru and Tsurugi just before the scene shifts. But there’s no clear connection where Maru’s idea comes to fruition here, so it leaves us kind of dumbfounded.
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In the next set of panels, we see the Simurian ship Naunax and the majestic Kalyan opening its third eye. Next thing we know, Dabura has some kind of revelation, as if Maru sent him a message with the ship. He wants him to create a barrier like that?
He isn’t sure if such a technique already exists on Earth. When he asks Mahoraga about it, of course he doesn’t answer. The shikigami doesn’t have the capacity for speech. That actually made me a little sad because for the first time in his life, Dabura actually met someone he felt like having a conversation with. And Mahoraga will never talk back to him. No, you’re irrationally emotional.
Domain Expansion—Otherworld Between Dark and Light: Reverse Transendence
With Dabura’s Domain Expansion, he opens the otherworldly space between life and death. We’ve seen this place before. Several times, actually. Nanami was on the threshold of this in Shibuya, when he saw Haibara before he died. It’s where Gojo reunited with Suguru, Nanami and Haibara after his death.
This otherworld is where Maru believes he can solve the problem for everyone, aliens and humans alike. Sadly, this is one scene I wish Akutami sensei had taken a little more time with. It would have been nice to see this more deeply explained. As it is, it feels like we’re just sort of thrust into, and have to rely on our own wits to make sense of things.
Marulu’s Plan Could Actually Work, But What Would It Mean?
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As soon as Dabura opens his domain, we see Maru, Yuji and the Kalyan all together. Yuji is pretty awed at the sight of the Kalyan, and when he asks Maru about it, the Simurian is surprised he knows about them. Todo has apparently been keeping Yuji apprised of the entire situation. So, why are we here? Yuji’s not the only one who wants to know. Fortunately, Maru has a ready explanation.
He wants to take Yuta’s cursed energy from the ring and the Mul in Naunax and combine them with his technique and HIS technique to bring harmony to the earthlings and Simurians. HIS technique. You know who HE is just as well as I do. But clever Akutami sensei leaves us hanging for a couple more pages.
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Maru asks Yuji to help him achieve this because he can’t start the process by himself. When Yuji asks him what harmony means to him, Maru tells him he wants to create a world where cursed spirits are never born. This is such a touching moment. Yuji takes out a book and hands it over to Maru. “That was the lifelong wish of someone my big brother was indebted to.”
Firstly, BIG BROTHER CHOSO! Secondly, Yuki. I love how all of the sorcerers of the past play their part. Now if we could just get Fushiguro on the line…
Yuki Tsukumo’s Wish
If only the Simurians had come decades earlier, a lot of problems could have been solved without mass devastation. Yuki Tsukumo and Suguru Geto could have lived long in a world without cursed spirits. It would have meant no Sukuna, no Kenjaku, no Gojo/Geto breakup at the KFC.
Of course, it would have also meant no Yuji Itadori. No Choso or the other Death Paintings. And, of course, there are even fan theories that Sukuna actually sliced up the Simurian home planet with his World Cutting Slash, so.. totally not a possibility if Sukuna never actually cuts worlds. But it’s still fun to think about.
On the other hand, it’s not so fun for us to think about as readers. Because if Maru’s plan succeeds, and cursed spirits are no longer born, what happens to Jujutsu Kaisen‘s future? Will Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo be the end? Forever? (insert screaming emoji here.)
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Reunites Enemies… For the Greater Good?
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We all knew HE was coming back. He didn’t just crop up all those chapters ago for fun. Mahito refused to leave the otherworldly realm between life and death, so he made it his home for the last 70 years. He was the only cursed spirit during that whole incident who didn’t move on. He is also the other being Maru’s technique chose. And when Yuji sees him for the first time, he actually laughs… nostalgically. It takes him back, he says, seeing Mahito there.
Mahito has been waiting there for Yuji to die. It’s almost feels like a happy, if not snarky, reunion between old pals. And then Mahito realizes Yuji isn’t dead. As he and Maru step up behind Mahito, they’re about to begin the ritual. The look on Mahito’s face is priceless. It was worth the brief confusion of that middle bit, just to see Mahito squirm a little.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 21 on a Scale of 1 to 10
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Despite that temporary glitch that made me feel like I missed a page for a second, I really did like this chapter. It feels like we are drawing ever closer to the end, which feels so bittersweet. I want to see how it all turns out, but I’ve grown so fond of this brilliant extension to a world I’ve been loving for years now. I don’t want to see it end. And I want to see it end even less when I realize this could potentially be it for good, if they eradicated cursed spirits entirely.
Every panel of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo has been beautifully drawn from start to finish in this, really capturing the spirit of the original, and then taking it up to the next level. The plot, so far, has been captivating. And that’s why I’ve been handing so many 10/10’s on this one. Unfortunately, that momentary confusion that took some clever girl calculating to figure out is gonna dock 2 points off my usual score this week. Still loving it, would just love it more if somewhat complicated things were clearer.
