Introduction
The highly anticipated final chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen, Chapter 271, titled “From Now On” (これから, Kore Kara), marks the conclusion of Gege Akutami’s dark fantasy saga. After over six years of publication, the manga wraps up with a mix of emotional closure, philosophical introspection, and a subdued yet meaningful ending for its characters 29.
This article delves into the key events, thematic resolutions, and lingering questions from JJK 271, analyzing how the series concludes Yuji Itadori’s journey, the fate of Sukuna, and the legacy of Satoru Gojo.
1. The Final Mission: A Return to Simplicity
The chapter JJK 271 opens with Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara on a mission to investigate a curse user harassing a couple. Unlike previous arcs filled with world-ending stakes, this final mission is smaller in scale, focusing on a scorned man who cursed a woman after she failed to recognize him—a stark contrast to the apocalyptic battles against Sukuna and Kenjaku 19.
- The Plan: Megumi devises a strategy to lure out the curse user by having the couple ascend a 40-floor condominium, escaping the technique’s range. Once the curse breaks, the trio quickly identifies and apprehends the culprit 14.
- A Human Antagonist: The villain is not a grand threat but a bitter man seeking petty revenge—a callback to Yuji’s early lessons about the complexities of human nature 9.
This mission serves as a microcosm of Jujutsu Kaisen’s themes: curses born from human emotions, and the role of sorcerers in mediating them.
2. Gojo’s Last Words and Yuji’s Growth
A poignant flashback reveals Yuji’s final conversation with Gojo before the Shinjuku Showdown. Gojo, uncharacteristically vulnerable, expresses his desire for Yuji to forge his own path rather than imitate him:
“We’ve had enough Satoru Gojo-like sorcerers… I want you to face the future differently.” 9
This moment Jujutsu Kaisen underscores Gojo’s wish for his students to surpass him, not in power alone, but in reshaping jujutsu society. Yuji, initially confused, ultimately embodies this ideal by offering the curse user redemption instead of punishment—mirroring Gojo’s dream of a more compassionate system 26.
3. Sukuna’s Afterlife and Redemption
In the afterlife, Sukuna and Mahito engage in a revealing dialogue:
- Mahito’s Taunt: The curse accuses Sukuna of living only for revenge, to which Sukuna admits he did have a choice—between Uraume’s path (loyalty) and another (violence) 49.
- A Change of Heart: Sukuna, acknowledging his defeat, chooses a different path in death, walking away with a younger Uraume while Mahito fumes in isolation 69.
This scene reframes Sukuna’s character, suggesting that even the “King of Curses” was a product of his circumstances, capable of change in another life 2.
4. The Fate of Sukuna’s Last Finger
The manga’s final page reveals Sukuna’s last finger—now purified—placed in a shrine as a talisman to ward off curses. This symbolizes:
- A Full-Circle Moment: The finger that started Yuji’s journey now serves as a protective relic 9.
- The End of a Curse: Sukuna’s malevolence is neutralized, reflecting Yuji’s growth in turning a tool of destruction into one of protection .
5. Fan Reactions and Unresolved Threads
While the ending provides closure for Yuji and Sukuna, some fans expressed disappointment over:
- Off-Screened Battles: Key fights (Gojo vs. Sukuna, Hakari vs. Uraume) lacked detailed resolutions 711.
- Loose Ends: No further exploration of Kenjaku’s plans, Tengen, or the Heian Era 11.
- Gojo’s Legacy: His death is only addressed in a flashback, leaving his impact on the world underexplored 4.
Despite these critiques, many praised the thematic consistency and Yuji’s satisfying arc 69
Conclusion: A Bittersweet Farewell
Jujutsu Kaisen ends not with a cataclysmic battle but with a quiet affirmation of its core message: curses are born from human pain, and healing requires empathy, not just strength. Yuji, once a vessel for Sukuna, now carries Gojo’s dream forward—a fitting conclusion to a series that balanced brutality with heart.
