The future of Shonen is at risk. With My Hero Academia coming to a close, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, Gege Akutami, has decided to rub more salt in the wound for fans of the category. During a Q&A session at Anime Expo 2024, Akutami confirmed that the series is officially nearing its end—the Shinjuku Showdown Arc.
The Jujutsu Kaisen manga is expected to conclude in 2024. The ongoing Shinjuku Showdown Arc was released in May 2023 starting with Chapter 222. At the time of writing, over 40 chapters have been added since then—boasting 263 chapters of pure sorcerer-versus-curse epicness. Let’s take an even deeper dive, shall we?
Jujutsu Kaisen’s Shinjuku Showdown Arc: The Series’ Climactic Finale
The Jujutsu Kaisen manga is still on top of its game with the Shinjuku Showdown Arc—treating fans to an unworldly sequence of events between sorcerers and curses. The arc famously began with the fight that shook the world: Gojo Satoru vs. Ryomen Sukuna.
To this day, the battle between the Strongest Sorcerer of the Modern Era and the King of Curses trumps all bouts in the series and possibly every battle in the new-gen animanga ecosystem. It was a war of epic proportions and major wages—a fight that would change the world of Jujutsu as we know it. However, Sukuna came out on top and the rest of the sorcerers are left to save the world from Sukuna’s devious plans. They have no choice but to defeat him.
Gege Akutami found this, Sukuna’s demise, to be the perfect ending to his story. In the recent Q&A during Anime Expo’s Jujutsu Kaisen exhibition in Japan, Akutami was asked if he had any idea of what the Culling Games’ concept would be like. He answered:
“I thought of it as a crutch for taking us towards the Inhumane Makyo Shinjuku arc (final section/saga). I had already decided on the things that had to happen (like characters and Colony stuff) but I kept each Colony segment contained to be its own individual volume, and thought about how to make them as exciting as possible as I progressed. I remember having a discussion with my Editor about how it’d be nice if each Volume should be like its own sort of album.” – @eagle97jjk | Translation by @lightningclare
Despite expecting it, fans are still saddened about the finale’s confirmation. But that doesn’t mean the series is ending anytime soon. One of Twitter/X’s biggest Jujutsu Kaisen leakers tweeted out:
“Shinjuku Showdown being the Final arc/saga doesn’t mean JJK is ending really, really soon. Culling Games Arc went on for more than 60 chapters (Shinjuku currently has more than 40 chapters). This also doesn’t necessarily mean Merger won’t happen at all. Just as Culling Game was a cluster of mini-arcs, Shinjuku can have another mini-arc (if Gege decides to make it).” – @Go_Jover
Aside from that, the rest of the Q&A had some spicy revelations like who the protagonist was supposed to be and clearing up certain deaths in the series. It was an impressive exhibition from Akutami that held the timeline of Jujutsu Kaisen with one-shots, prototypes, manuscripts, and drafts.
What Happens Next in the Shinjuku Showdown Arc?
Since the fight between Gojo and Sukuna, the Shinjuku Showdown Arc has been a thriller of chapters yet to slow down. Spoilers ahead! Yuta is currently using Gojo’s body to battle with a weakened Sukuna. Impressively, Yuta dodges Sukuna’s attacks and manages to land his own—albeit difficult, having to adjust to another body.
Take note that Yuta is on a timer and in no position to play around against Sukuna. At the climax of the latest chapter, Yuta is seen chanting the incantations for none other than Gojo’s ultimate technique: Hollow Purple.
With the help of Inumaki’s cursed technique to slow Sukuna down, Yuta gets a clean look at his target. Though this might not be enough to throw Sukuna into the trenches, this is another big blow to the King of Curses who cannot afford to take more damage.
The arc has been crazy but Gege still has some explaining to do before he ends this huge series (yes, even after the Q&A). Fans are wary of an abrupt ending to their beloved series. Hopefully, Gege isn’t cruel enough to make Sukuna go on a killing spree with Yuta, Yuji, Todo, and other lives in the balance.
There is yet to be an official confirmation about the manga ending, which is the true light-beyond-the-tunnel. Seeing as how things are going, the manga should be able to cover most of this year. Considering the arc has only released over 40 chapters, the fans are still in for a long ride.
One fan on Twitter/X said: “If The Shinjuku Showdown truly is the final Arc of JJK then Shinjuku Showdown might be a super long arc. We haven’t seen Uraume vs Hakari, sukuna still standing, Uraume isn’t gonna die after sukuna, The merger, Yuji Origins. If this is the final arc this will be a long a** arc.” Maybe it’s better to hold your farewells for now. The story does have a long way to go, but Gege’s unpredictability might be the fans’ greatest enemy.
While 2024 marks the end of Jujutsu Kaisen, 2026 hopefully marks the start of the anime’s third season. Some series nowadays opt for cinematic releases, so JJK‘s third installment format is still in the air. Rest assured that Shota Goshozono, director of season two, is returning to the series and is already excited about the Maki vs. Zenin clan storyline. Season 3 will feature the Culling Game Arc with fans expecting a teaser during the Anime Expo, to no avail.