MANGA REVIEW | "Jujutsu Kaisen" - Volume Twenty-Five
At long last, Jujutsu Kaisen can finally say the phrase fans have long been waiting to hear: Satoru Gojo is back! After dealing with far too many manga volumes without his delightful presence, Gege Akutami has finally found it in their heart to bring him back. Yes, the creator of this series has long hated Gojo, but even he can’t disappoint his fanbase. So now, breathe a sigh of relief, as the best character in Jujutsu Kaisen makes his grand return!
But before we can bring Gojo back, there’s the matter of Sukuna possessing Megumi. Sukuna’s in need of killing Tsumiki, as their body’s being taken over by Yorozu. It’s the sort of back-and-forth you’ve come to expect from this series, with superpowers, a lot of blood, and enough craters planted in the ground to match the moon’s. Nevertheless, it’s an exciting bout, but it’s a mere prelude to what’s to come next.
And that, dear readers, is the good part of Volume Twenty-Five. Itadori, with the aid of the power of Kurusu and the Angel, finally gets what they need to bring back Gojo. After plenty of talking and a relocation to avoid some mental muck-ups, the deed is done. Gojo returns, and all is right with Jujutsu Kaisen. But after all this time stuck in that damn box, does he still have the skills to take down Sukuna and any other enemy that stands in his way?
Normally, this would be the part where any Jujutsu Kaisen fan would say “Absolutely fucking awesome!” Yet a hint of doubt hovers in the air. Sure, even before the fight between Gojo and Sukuna occurs on Christmas Eve, all the Jujutsu sorcerers are filled with confidence. After all, this is the most powerful sorcerer in the world, so things should be hunky-dory, right? Oh, if only it were that easy.
No, the battle between Gojo and Sukuna is not one-sided in the slightest. All are watching this fight occur, discussing the strategies each fighter must use to come out on top. Both combatants give it their all, destroying many buildings and streets with a mere swipe of their hands. At first, Gojo looks impressive on the battlefield, only for Sukuna to start slicing away at our beloved hero.
Even with all these Reverse Cursed Techniques being thrown around, no clear winner can be seen by the time Volume Twenty-Five comes to an end. With that being said, seeing Gojo fighting with all of his might — after being gone for nearly fourteen volumes — is a delight for sure. However, will Gege Akutami let his least-favorite character in Jujutsu Kaisen have all of the glory, or are they ready to give the finger to the audience yet again? Oof, this time, it’s very hard to tell!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
