The last couple of chapters of jjk have been making me shriek with delight. My boy Yuuji let's gooo! I think my favorite thing (and you've mentioned this I think?) is the side-characters helping. Every time Sukuna starts to get some space to think and react, there's *someone* there to sneak in a couple of pot shots while Yuuji closes the gap. I think it's a wonderful contrast to the Suku v gojo fight, where those gaps basically allowed Suku to win. (this is black fisting the chussy anon)

Same, anon, same 🤝

I did mention it once! After 256, I believe, with regard to how Larue played a role in immobilizing Sukuna long enough for Yuuji to nail him with that first Black Flash (and I am still not over the fact that it was the first of EIGHT). I'm also very glad that pattern has both (a) continued into this fight with Ino's contribution and (b) lessened in terms of intrusiveness to better emphasize Yuuji vs. Sukuna. I don't know whether it's heading in the direction of a one vs. one or whether Maki (or even Yuuta) will join again, temporarily or otherwise, but regardless of how it progresses from here, we have this. Team play was a significant factor in injuring Sukuna to this extent and getting Yuuji in position to rail him with Black Flashes, and like you said, it does contrast with the Gojou fight damn well.

Sukuna's older, more experienced, and more well-versed in jujutsu than the rest of the cast—they need every advantage they can to beat him. I can understand Gojou vs. Sukuna starting off as a one on one, both because of Gojou being most effective alone and as a pissing contest pride thing, but the aftermath of the fight makes it clear that a coordinated attack would have yielded better results. Higuruma's domain alone could have given Gojou a better chance. Even putting aside practical strategy and focusing on themes, I find the way Gojou died fighting alone to be a disservice to his character arc. The fact that he did plan for the others to interfere if he was too weakened gives me some solace, but the end result was still...well, if I start on that, we'll be here forever.

With Yuuji and non-Gojou sorcerers in general, team play has been emphasized time and time again, and while Jump Kaisen did get pretty dull at parts (at least partly because of the weekly release tbf), it seems to be an effective strategy. For Yuuji's role in particular, I do like how it mirrors all his previous important fights, where his own power did matter immensely but the support, psychological and practical, he got was key in determining the outcome.

I can see it going either way from here, and the effectiveness of the end result will depend heavily on the execution (what's new, eh?), but let's keep our fingers crossed that the upcoming chapters will be as good as 256 and 257.

And say hello to your new name! Please don't run away.