Emerging as a standout in the realm of new-generation shonen anime, Jujutsu Kaisen has earned a reputation for its fearless approach to character mortality. The series unfolds in a universe teeming with hazardous sorcerers and malevolent cursed spirits, where even the series’ protagonists find little reprieve from the constant threat of demise.
The mastermind behind Jujutsu Kaisen, Gege Akutami, is adept at delivering unexpected twists, crafting farewells for characters that leave a lasting impact. In this narrative, no hero, including central figures, is immune to meeting a brutal end at any moment. Yet, despite the unpredictability, certain characters seemed destined for tragedy from the outset, making their departures no less heart-wrenching.
Among these characters is Megumi’s stepsister, Tsumiki Fushiguro, who becomes ensnared in the Culling Game due to Kenjaku’s manipulation, serving as a vessel for the ancient sorcerer, Yorozu. Her unwilling involvement is a pivotal catalyst for the protagonists, especially her brother, to join this deadly contest. Nevertheless, Tsumiki’s tragic end always appeared unavoidable, casting a shadow over her narrative.
There Was Never a Chance to Save Tsumiki Fushiguro
Image via Weekly Shonen JumpMegumi’s stepsister Tsumiki Fushiguro, was drawn by Kenjaku into the Culling Game as a vessel for an ancient sorcerer, Yorozu. Forcing her into the game is a big reason the protagonists, particularly her brother, chose to participate in the perilous battle royale. However, Tsumiki’s fate always felt impossible to change.
From the start, Tsumiki, due to not having much of an active role in the story, appeared like a meticulously placed plot device prepared to bring the protagonists’ devastation. Regrettably, that’s exactly what happens, as Tsumiki is not only revealed to have already been replaced by Yorozu long before the heroes get to her, but Sukuna, having hijacked Megumi’s body, cruelly murders Tsumiki to break his new vessel’s spirit.
Mahito’s Death Was Expected But No Less Satisfying
Image via MAPPAThe first major antagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen, Mahito is an intensely cruel, malicious cursed spirit who enjoys toying with his victims and bringing them as much despair as possible. Of course, after witnessing Mahito kill so many beloved characters, fans were quite sure that he would not be allowed to wreak havoc forever and looked forward to seeing him pay the price.
Mahito’s death at the end of the Shibuya Incident arc is one of Jujutsu Kaisen’s most satisfying moments. Not only is Mahito completely defeated by Yuji Itadori to the point of being unable to fight back and attempting to flee in terror, but he is subsequently absorbed by Kenjaku to be simply used as a tool in his upcoming scheme.
Riko Amanai Is Brutally Executed Right Before Reaching for a New Life
When Riko Amanai, Master Tengen’s Star Plasma Vessel, made her debut in Jujutsu Kaisen’s flashback arc, Hidden Inventory, everything about her upbeat personality and seemingly monumental importance to the future of jujutsu society was immediately raising death flags. However, in the short time Riko got to shine on the screen, she managed to become a cherished fan-favorite.
Even if Riko accepted her destiny to merge with Tengen, she would’ve been, technically, doomed, as her personal consciousness and sense of self would’ve been erased. Riko, however, nearly escapes this depressing fate by reaching for a different option at the very last moment – only to be brutally executed by Toji Fushiguro, her death being both a shock and a disheartening inevitability.
Yu Haibara Barely Got Any Time in the Spotlight
Image via MAPPAAppearing in the same Hidden Inventory flashback arc as Riko, Yu Haibara studied at Tokyo Jujutsu High together with Kento Nanami, a year below Gojo and Geto. Yet, based on the fact that Haibara was never even mentioned in the series before, fans quickly understood that his life as a sorcerer didn’t last long and likely ended in a tragic manner.
Despite Haibara being just a minor character who died in an off-screen accident during a routine mission, his death exemplifies the fragility of a sorcerer’s life exceptionally well. His passing also severely affected both Nanami and Geto, leading the former to eventually cut ties with the jujutsu world and further radicalizing the latter when he was already filled with doubt.
Junpei Yoshino Never Got a Chance to Become a Proper Sorcerer
Image via MAPPA StudiosWhile Junpei Yoshino committed quite a few deplorable acts upon awakening his powers, it would be unfair to call him a villain. He was simply a misled, troubled teenager manipulated by Mahito, yet the grim outcome of his life seemed rather obvious from the start. The Season 1 opening, nonetheless, teases viewers with a shot of Junpei in a Jujutsu High uniform, laughing alongside Itadori.
Yet, such an idyllic image was nothing more than a dream of a life Junpei never got to experience. In the end, Junpei is brutally transfigured by Mahito right in front of Yuji’s eyes, turning into a deformed monster. As Mahito’s transfiguration can’t be reversed, Junpei ends up dying from the shock and stress of the transformation in Yuji’s arms.
Suguru Geto Was Killed by His Best Friend
Despite occurring not in the main series but in the prequel Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie, Suguru Geto’s death is, arguably, the event that sets most of the events of the series in motion. Without Geto perishing, Kenjaku would’ve never obtained his body and used Geto’s ability to start the Culling Game. However, its narrative importance doesn’t make Geto’s unfortunate end any less tragic.
After the devastating events Geto experiences during the Hidden Inventory arc, he is completely disillusioned with jujutsu society and its role as humanity’s protectors. He becomes determined to kill all non-sorcerers, eventually leading to the events of the Night of a Hundred Demons and his confrontation with Yuta Okkotsu. Sustaining lethal injuries from Yuta, Geto’s life is, nonetheless, taken by his best friend, Satoru Gojo.
Choso’s Self-Sacrifice Is One of the Most Impactful Moments of JJK’s Finale
Image via MAPPADuring the final battle against Sukuna in the Shinjuku Showdown arc, many sorcerers either perished or nearly lost their lives. Choso, one of the incarnated Cursed Womb: Death Paintings and Yuji Itadori’s older half-brother, regrettably counted among the former, and his dramatic self-sacrifice was one of the most tragic moments in the entire series.
Initially an antagonist set on revenge, Choso firmly adopted the role of Yuji’s older brother upon discovering their relation, becoming an immensely positive, uplifting presence in the series’ latter arcs. However, his personal journey always seemed to head towards a noble but tragic conclusion, and, staying true to what Yuki Tsukumo inspired him to do with her final words, Choso died as a human protecting his brother from Sukuna’s flames.
Kento Nanami Dies Tragically in Front of Yuji’s Eyes
Image via MAPPAMentor figures in anime, and in fiction in general, rarely get to enjoy a long life, and Kento Nanami, despite being one of Jujutsu Kaisen’s fan-favorite heroes, is no exception. Nanami’s death is one of the most brutal and impactful in the entire series, greatly affecting not just the audience but also the series’ protagonist, Itadori, who had the misfortune of witnessing it.
Nanami gets significantly worn down throughout the events of the Shibuya Incident. Yet, when he is at his lowest, Nanami chances upon Mahito, who ultimately seals his fate and uses this opportunity to cause Yuji, who arrives at the scene just in time to see his mentor perish, even more despair.
As the Series’ Final Antagonist, Sukuna Never Stood a Chance
Image via MAPPAThe threat of Sukuna, Jujutsu Kaisen’s main antagonist, has been looming over the heads of the protagonists ever since episode one. However, a proper confrontation with Sukuna had to wait until the manga’s finale, the Shinjuku Showdown arc. As a series known for its violent treatment of both heroes and villains, Jujutsu Kaisen, of course, couldn’t have left Sukuna alive or allowed him to have a feel-good redemption arc.
Leading up to JJK’s finale, some fans did speculate that the series might subvert expectations once more and end in Sukuna’s victory over the sorcerers. Nonetheless, JJK ended up having an unexpectedly upbeat conclusion, culminating in Sukuna’s long-anticipated defeat at the hands of Itadori.
Satoru Gojo’s Death Was Both a Devastating Shock & a Long Time Coming
Arguably the most beloved character in Jujutsu Kaisen, Satoru Gojo is a hero audiences wanted to see perish the least. As the strongest modern sorcerer, who could’ve possibly taken such a powerhouse down? His final battle with Sukuna is a thrilling confrontation filled with numerous highs and lows, and predicting the outcome was nearly impossible.
Eventually, Sukuna does find an opportunity to deal a final blow to Gojo. And, in retrospect, such an outcome was completely expected. Gojo’s power was so immense and overwhelming that Akutami had to find loopholes to write him out of the series, so as not to have Gojo single-handedly solve all the problems. To keep with the series’ theme of fostering future generations, Gojo, in the end, had to be defeated in order for younger sorcerers to finish his battle.
Jujutsu Kaisen
- Release Date
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October 3, 2020
- Network
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TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC
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Yuichi Nakamura
Satoru Gojo