Warning discussion of the recent JJK manga chapters and previous arcs. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD (and I’m sorry idk how to do the read more thing on here)

I’m dissatisfied and worried by this weeks chapter of JJK. The sentiment of “I like it when a character steals the show” is one thing, but just having a character take center stage out of the blue is a different story. I’ve been burned before so I hope it doesn’t end up like this, but I’m worried this is going to turn out like the last season of Game of Thrones. Like you do all this plot and character development and then abandon it at the last moment just to defy expectations which ultimately just makes your story worse. In this case I don’t think it’s about defying expectations intentionally, but I think Gege just genuinely hates Gojo so much that they’re nerfing the story. From my perspective, JJK has always been Gojo’s story. Like he’s not the protagonist but he’s the central character to the narrative. His relationship with Suguru, and now with the shade of Suguru that is Kenjaku, is what made all of this possible because of the Star plasma vessel mission. I genuinely don’t think that Gojo should have been brought back yet or at least that he shouldn’t have fought Sukuna. I kind of think the manga would be better if he never fought Sukuna now or any other time. I hope this fight is good, at this point anything could happen and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I’ll like it, but I’m not excited for it. In fact I’m kind of angry because to me this should be Gojo’s fight. It still could be who freaking knows at this point, but to me this should be Gojo trying to reclaim Suguru’s body and finally give him rest and have closure for himself. Like I know I’m insane for Gojo but I also just genuinely think that’s what would be most narratively satisfying. Which would make Sukuna a fight for Yuji and the Jujutsu tech kids. I don’t know if that one would hold up in court but I’ll stand by the Gojo stuff. I don’t know, I just hate to see potential go to waste and it’s starting to feel more and more like that’s where JJK is heading. I genuinely, desperately hope not. But I’ve been hoping they’d say sike for months now and it feels less and less likely each week.

Watching the anime makes it even worse because there are so many moments that could pay off so well or lead to excellent parallels that just… haven’t. They still could, but with Gojo “dead” and showing no signs of return, Megumi in Sukuna purgatory, nobara in eyeball purgatory, so many characters forgotten off screen, and Yuji just having no screen time I’m just having trouble staying invested. Gege made me care for these guys!! And for the potential of a plot with them facing what Kenjaku had planned!! But the culling game was so weird and confusing and what’s happening now feels like they’re pulling at straws!! Like did they just not have it planned out this far?? Ouhg. Like I said I hope I’m wrong, I’d love to be wrong. I just needed to vent about this because the Shibuya arc is genuinely an excellent piece of writing. It’s devastating and sets up so much room for potential consequences and growth. And, so far at least, the results have not met up to that excellent set up. I wish them the best and I hope they stick the landing, but I’m not nearly as excited or invested as I once was.