This post contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, currently available for U.S. readers from VIZ Media
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo seems very Yuka-heavy in the first couple chapters. It’s almost as if this is going to be her story, and maybe, in some ways, it is. As the manga progresses, we meet Tsurugi and achieve more balance between the Okkotsu siblings time in the spotlight. Juggling dual protagonists can be a challenge. That being said, I think Akutami-Sensei juggles Yuka and Tsurugi well.
With the sorcerer’s first major battle comes to a close, Maru’s wounded and Cross is less friendly than ever. Tsurugi and Maru seem to have bonded on th is mission, with the elder Okkotsu having a brief confrontation about neighbors with Cross. Chapter 7, “The Robbed”, then shifts focus to Yuka and Cross in the aftermath. There are some pretty heavy drops in this chapter, including a clearer picture of the bitterness driving Cross.
The Aftermath of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 6
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Image property of VIZ Media
Tensions are pretty high by the end of Chapter 6. Cross really let go and almost used his brother against the Okkotsus. Had it not been for Tsurugi calling out that he thought they were going to be neighbors, a war may have broken out. In the aftermath, Takeda thinks about skipping out so he can play hide-and-seek with the sorcerers, but Usami’s having none of that! Drawing his hand up to his mouth, Usami uses the Inumaki family’s cursed speech technique to paralyze the curse user. Then, he lays him out with a nice kick to the face.
One of the most interesting things about Usami using cursed speech is that, unlike Toge Inumaki, he can speak outside of rice ball igredients. This tells me cursed speech has either evolved or its effects have somehow been nerfed. Or, he’s borrowing it in the same way Yuta Okkotsu did during his battle with Suguru Geto in JJK 0. I’m not sure if there will be any deeper insight into this, as it’s not really Usami’s story, but I would definitely love to know more.
Cross Has a Serious Chip on His Shoulder
The only reason Cross checks himself in the battle is because of Tsurugi. In an effort to get Maru to stop, Tsurugi reminds him that they were going to be neighbors. That statement is enough to stun Cross, and he lets go before he launches a full-scale alien war. Confronting Tsurugi about this, he furiously explains that ever since the war, Japan has been on a careful path laid out for them. Not only are they safe from outside threat, but they have the luxury of being handed everything they need to be human.
The Simurians have obviously seen tragedy, which has many of them on the defensive. Cross declares that even if Japan wanted to be neighbors, the Simurians would refuse their offer on principal alone. They can’t be trusted in the eyes of the Simurians. Between their own struggles and Japan’s history, why would they ever take that kind of leap?
It’s a tragic perspective, and one you can’t blame the Simurians for. Cross gets even deeper into this mentality later on in the chapter with Yuka on their outing. Before that, however, he tries to pull a fast one and pretend to be Maru for a little while.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Loves Duality As Much As the Original
One of the coolest aspects of Jujutsu Kaisen has always been its exploration of duality. Yuji Itadori spends most of the manga in a Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde relationship with Sukuna. At first, he can control Sukuna’s possession over his body, but later he loses that ability when he strikes a deal with the King of Curses. Cross and Maru being twins is a classic duality because despite being different people, they still share power.
So far, Cross presents himself as the darker half of Maru. It’s similar to the way Sukuna plays Yuji’s polar opposite. The one thing I’m interested to see is how the two comparisons differentiate, or if they even will at all.
I would hate to see Cross turn into Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo‘s biggest bad. Not only will that make things harder on Maru, who wants peace and friendship, but it potentially puts him in a similar role as Yuji. Cross controlling Maru’s power could be devastating, especially since he seems to have grown fond of the Okkotsus.
Cross Isn’t As Clever As He Thinks He Is
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Since Maru is temporarily out of commission, Cross comes up with the clever idea to pose as his brother while interacting with the Okkotsus. Visiting them in the hospital, there is a brief interlude from everyone’s most-hated curse: Mahito. For anyone who thought we’d never see that jackass again, I’d point you back to the final chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen’s manga.
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Sukuna decides to take another chance at life, and Mahito is left behind all alone, more than just hinting of his eventual rebirth. I won’t lie, I barfed a little. Okay, not really, but man, I wanted to. I understand and sympathize with Geto for going off the deep end (not Kenjaku though, never that guy). Mai’s cruelty toward Maki is understandable, too. I could even forgive Jogo and Hanami, but I will never let go of the horrid things Mahito did to Junpei, Nanami, Kugisaki, Mechamaru and so on.
Now that I’ve said that, we return to Cross, who discovers that much to his dismay, the trio had been planning to visit the amusement park together. He looks positively miserable the entire time they’re there.
But here’s the thing… Despite Cross’s attitude, he actually grabs a little kid’s Halloween balloon before it can flyaway and hands it back to him. So, bad guy? Obviously not entirely.
Yuka Okkotsu’s Time Is Limited, and So Is Ours
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Of course, Yuka knows all along that it’s Cross hanging out with them, and not Maru. She waits to call him on it until the two of them are alone. Having been in the middle of a discussion about religion, Cross breaks down the Simurian beliefs. This actually leads us a bit deeper into Cross’s mindset, and sheds some light on that hostility I mentioned we needed some more insight into.
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We get a glimpse into his bitterness, but it comes with a serious reader reality check from Yuka. Now, I’ve been saying nearly every chapter that I worry how this story can end in just six months. I trust Akutami-Sensei, though, and it seems they have a plan. Yuka Okkotsu is terminally ill, and with only six months to live, it seems the perfect amount of time to get her story told.
With the inevitable end of her life just a breath away, she tries to change Cross’s perspective. But it’s not going to be so easy to win him over. He’s had everything taken from him, and he wants to start taking back. Even if that means hurting others along the way, he’s stuck in that trap of bitterness with no way out.
Yuka ends this week’s Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo chapter with a proposition. As she points out that stealing and hating is an endless cycle, the two of them stand on opposite stones with a small stream between them. It would be so easy to step across the small divide, to make peace instead of perpetuating the cycle of hate. Sadly, we’ll have to wait until next week to find out how he responds.
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 7 on a Scale of 1 to 10
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This week’s chapter definitely surprised me. I really didn’t expect the timeline to be cut short due to death by natural causes. That being said, it’s a good chapter. With only six months to fully flesh out this story, there’s no time to beat around the bush. With that in mind, this week’s chapter does take a slight hit, earning 9/10. I have a feeling it is going to take more than a stern talking to from a dying girl to bring Cross around.
I really liked seeing the foist fun upon him at the amusement park. It opened the door to some interesting conversation that sets the Simurians and the Earthlings apart, while also demonstrating their similarities. Am I still loving Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo? Heck yeah!
