Jujutsu tech not grieving Gojo's death in Jujutsu Kaisen makes more sense than fans realize

Modified Sep 30, 2024 19:30 GMT

Jujutsu Kaisen delivered one of the most shocking moments of the series when Satoru Gojo was brutally cut in two and killed in the Battle of the Strongest by Ryomen Sukuna. However, regardless of this monumental loss, what is precisely glaring is the lack of reaction from other Jujutsu Kaisen characters who made fans wonder why the death of Gojo hasn’t drawn more grief.

Even the main protagonist, Yuji Itadori, seems to have no sense of sadness at having lost a powerful mentor. Such a reaction, or lack thereof, seems bizarre on the surface but makes more sense when one deeply thinks about it.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and includes spoilers.

Why almost no one mourns Gojo's death in Jujutsu Kaisen, explained

Expand Tweet

The lack of sorrow after Gojo's death in Jujutsu Kaisen makes more sense than what fans might initially perceive. Jujutsu Kaisen characters had always talked about his relevance while sealed, depicting how much space he had taken in their lives. Given his death, the absence of explicit mourning is intentional as it signifies a theme that defines the series.

Instead of crying over the loss, Jujutsu Kaisen encourages them to move on as the harsh realities of their world demand. In the manga, the characters have come to accept death time and time again. Consequently, when it comes to the emotional impact of Gojo's death, it aligns with a broader narrative that emphasizes action and survival rather than mourning the loss.

This treatment with death does not stay with Gojo alone. The same happens with other strong deaths in the story, such as Nanami and Choso, where characters do not grieve over their loss for too long.

Satoru Gojo as seen in anime (Image via MAPPA)

Instead, they keep their comrades' will alive. The world created in the series is brutal, and its characters cannot dwell on emotional wounds for too long. With Gojo, the loss is certainly felt, but not being allowed to see them grieve in a conventional way is a narrative decision meant to draw attention to the battles and obligations left behind.

While it might be disappointing and even shocking, particularly due to how central Gojo was to the story, the glaring lack of mourning underlines just how starkly cruel the world of Jujutsu Kaisen is. Even the strongest must be replaced swiftly by the next generation.

Sorrow finds an existence there, but more so through action and effort to resolutely move on, not cries of despair. That decision represents the relentless pace of the story and the fact that there is little time for sorrow in this world of jujutsu sorcerers.

Exploring how Gojo's legacy impacted the next generation of sorcerers

Satoru Gojo and Yuji as seen in anime (Image via MAPPA)

Gojo's legacy is so much more than the extraordinary powers that he demonstrated. He is a master who groomed the generation of young sorcerers like Yuji, Megumi, and Yuta to be courageous and challenge heavy and power-wielding enemies. It is his faith in the evolution of young sorcerers, cracking the shell, that prohibits them from further steps, which leads to their development.

His progenies continue to make bold steps to safeguard the world against evil curses. The ideals and lessons he brought with him stand beyond his death, allowing Gojo's spirit to replace his in the minds of the sorcerers.

Final thoughts

The lack of sorrow for Gojo’s death in Jujutsu Kaisen is not an oversight but has been built into the show's narrative as a choice. Fans would have expected to see much more visibility when it comes to mourning, but the story has focused on moving forward, even after a great loss.

The death of Gojo was impactful but finds itself well within the brutal reality of the jujutsu world, whereby survival and action often replace emotional displays. The reluctance to play up the sorrow reflects the strength of the characters in carrying forward the will of their comrades rather than succumbing to anguish.

Related links:

Edited by Rachith Rao