Chapter #147 of Jujutsu Kaisen reveals a heartbreaking death, setting an even more somber tone for the upcoming installment of the series.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s Shibuya Incident has dominated much of the recent chapters of the series, and its aftermath has sent the world into a much darker place. Unfortunately for Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Yuta Okkotsu, and many others loyal to Satoru Gojo, the situation didn’t get any easier at the start of the ominous Culling Game. Now, in Chapter #147, the event of the same name sadly claimed its first victim – and it was one of the Jujutsu Tech family.
Clear lines were drawn in Jujutsu society when Satoru Gojo was sealed from the Prison Kingdom by Geto and branded a traitor by the Jujutsu elders. Those who are said to have helped Gojo, like Principal Masamichi Yaga, have orders to execute their lives. Due to those orders – and perhaps a different ideology – Yaga faces Headmaster Gakuganji of Jujutsu Tech Kyoto, who has come to carry out the elder’s orders. The battle itself was invisible, but the impact of Yaga’s death was immediately felt.
Given Gojo’s strong presence, he’s basically the fixer for any situation, so his exclusion from the current story means that Gojo can no longer be a safety net for Yuji and partner. The forces opposed to the positive changes Gojo are championing the Jujutsu world – immediately taking full advantage of Gojo’s removal to set an even more somber tone for the “Culling Game” part. As things prepare for intense competition, Yuji, Yuta, Fushiguro, Choso, and Yuki Tsukomo meet up with the mysterious and immortal Master Tengen to learn more about Kenjaku’s plans. Elsewhere, however, we caught up with Yaga.
Chapter #147 opens with a conversation between Yaga and Gakuganji – the two principals of Jujutsu Tech Tokyo and Kyoto, respectively. As Yaga was incarcerated in his cell, Gakuganji asked about how he created the independent Cursed Corpse, Panda. Gakuganji explains that the higher ups fear that Yaga might create an army if he knows how to create as many Cursed Legions as Panda. Yaga replied that he wasn’t sure how exactly Panda was created or at least didn’t intend to reveal that information to Gakuganji.
However, the story shifts to another flashback where Yaga is with another independent Cursed Zombie named Takeru and several others. with Yaga is Christopher Robin here – he even crawled through a strange door at the base of a tree. Takeru is later revealed to be the cloned soul of a woman’s dead son crafted into the core of the Cursed Corpse.
Although the clash between the principals was not shown, the serious injuries Yaga suffered were there. Before succumbing to his wounds, however, Yaga explained to Gakuganji the secret behind the creation of the independent Cursed Legions. Basically, three highly compatible souls have to be injected into the core and they will be constantly observing each other. When they eventually settle down, the Cursed Corpse will become self-aware and, after three months, will gain self-sustaining Cursed Energy. Yaga’s last words reveal that his revelation of this to Gakuganji is a Curse, “from me…to you.”
After it was too late, Panda arrived on the scene, glancing over at a shocked Gakuganji who asked the Cursed Corpse why he didn’t immediately attack him. The heartbroken Panda replied that he was not human and understood that Gakuganji was only acting on orders. However, the chapter ends with his words, “But remember one thing. Even pandas cry” as he weeps for his deceased father.
Gege Akutami’s focus on division and corruption in the Jujutsu world is sure to be a staple in the current installment. And Yaga’s death means the front lines have never been clearer. With Gojo and Yaga now out of the picture, it’s hard for anyone to hold back the higher ranks. Additionally, the arc – started by the head of the Kamo Clan (one of the three major Jujutsu clans) – appears to be a power game by the clan to regain power from the Gojo clan. Kenjaku, who disguised himself as Noritoshi Kamo, the most evil mage that ever lived, is said to have manipulated the event according to Jujutsu’s golden age revival plan.
With their hearts broken and the world in turmoil, Yuji, Fushiguro, Panda and the rest of their team have a difficult mission: defeat Kenjaku, stop his Game of Destruction with minimal casualties, and prevent both the Cursed Spirits and higher level Jujutsu from taking over Japan.