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Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223’s spoilers and raw scans were released earlier in the week, bringing with them an exciting look at the series’ upcoming issue. While fans should be hesitant about this sneak peek until the next chapter of author and illustrator Gege Akutami’s manga arrives, such spoilers are typically fairly accurate.
Fans are excitedly discussing Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223’s events as if they’ve already been confirmed to be canon. The highlights of the issue are undoubtedly Satoru Gojo’s 200% Hollow Purple and the reveal of Utahime’s Cursed Technique. Readers also seemingly saw confirmation that the higher-ups of the jujutsu world have been killed.
However, the currently trending topic of discussion relative to Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223 stems from Gojo’s reaction to learning of Principal Yaga Masamichi’s death. Likewise, his indifference towards Megumi’s possession is upsetting to many fans. While there may not be a concrete explanation for Gojo’s reaction to these developments, some key factors are likely at play.
Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223 once again highlights Gojo’s burden of being the strongest via Megumi’s possession, Yaga’s death
Brief spoiler recap
Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223 begins with a focus on Gojo and his age-wise peers. Sukuna reveals that the battle’s location has been decided via Gojo’s projected aura.
A flashback then shows Gakuganji apologizing for Yaga’s death, with Gojo taking fault for getting sealed. After learning of Yaga’s final words, Gojo says Gakuganji leading might not be so bad as it’s revealed that all the former higher-ups have been killed.
Jumping to the present, Ichiji and Utahime are using some form of jujutsu to help Gojo. Utahime’s Cursed Technique, “Solo Solo Kinku,” is then introduced. It is said to enhance any sorcerer’s total Cursed Energy output, including Utahime herself. This trio and Gakuganji are seen doing all the required steps to activate their Cursed Techniques. The narration emphasizes that a sorcerer’s skill is measured by the many steps they omit from Cursed Technique activation.
Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223 then reveals that they do this to allow Gojo to use a 200% Hollow Purple on Sukuna. The King of Curses is instantly intimidated by the attack and tries to tank it, but instead gets his right arm burnt and his right hand destroyed. The chapter ends as Gojo reminds Sukuna that he, not himself, is the challenger in this fight.
Gojo’s coldness towards Yaga’s death and Megumi’s possession, explored
As mentioned above, Gojo essentially takes the blame for the death of Principal Masamichi Yaga despite Gakuganji admitting that he killed him. While this is obviously very confusing on the surface, it actually says a lot about Gojo’s character in and of itself, as well as the role and responsibilities he views himself as having.
Without a doubt, Satoru Gojo is considered the strongest fighter in the series as of Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223. While the upcoming fight with Sukuna may change that, it rings truer than ever as the two begin their inevitable conflict. This is a title and mindset Gojo has had for quite some time, essentially since defeating Toji Fushiguro after being unable to protect Riko Amanai.
This role of Gojo also plays into one of the core themes his character explores, which is the burden those known as the strongest individuals have. For Gojo specifically, protecting those weaker than him is a major part of this burden. The fact that Gojo is initially introduced as Megumi’s teacher and eventually becomes Yuji’s further supports this interpretation.
This also explains why he voluntarily takes the blame for Yaga’s death in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 223. Since he, as “the strongest,” failed at Shibuya, it created a scenario in which Yaga was killed. Likewise, his failure resulted in Megumi, who is essentially his adoptive son, being possessed by Sukuna.
Since he believes himself to be at fault for these events, Gojo views them not as tragedies but as failures. In other words, he is cold to the harsh reality of these events because he views them as his own shortcomings that need to be rectified.
Grief is said to be the result of a paradigm shift in which one loses all control or realizes they have no control over a situation. For Gojo, who had the opportunity to prevent these tragedies but failed, there is no grief in these shortcomings. Instead, he finds a desire to right the wrongs as best he can, even if his death or that of others is the only atonement available.
Be sure to keep up with all Jujutsu Kaisen anime and manga news, as well as general anime, manga, film, and live-action news as 2023 progresses.
