Warning: SPOILERS for Jujutsu Kaisen's endingslated to conclude with chapter #271. Although many are relieved by the ending's direction, which so far indicates that beloved characters like Itadori Yuji, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaki will make it out alive, others have found the final confrontation between Yuji and Sukuna rushed and underwhelming.

The battle comes at the end of the Shinjuku Showdown arc where, after tricking Megumi into eating a finger, Sukuna occupies his body. Facing off against jujutsu sorcerers one at a time, Sukuna tries to protect his goal of forcing Tengen to merge with all of Japan. Jujutsu Kaisen's concluding arc sees countless thrilling battles, including the long-awaited face-off between Satoru Gojo and Sukuna, as it sets the stage for a final confrontation between Yuji and Sukuna. Despite the brevity of this fight, lasting from chapter #244 to #268, it brings the series full circle in a way that is satisfying all on its own.

Sukuna and Yuji's Showdown Is Better Than People it

Sukuna and Yuji's Battle Brings Loads Of Unexpected Twists

Yuji's turn taking down Sukuna is full of great moments. As faces like Hiromi Higuruma and Aoi Todo appear to work alongside him, Sukuna is chipped down a little at a time. Yuji has his link to Sukuna explained and becomes a force to be reckoned with by its end: setting the record for the number of consecutive Black Flashes, copying Sukuna's techniques, and expanding his domain. Meanwhile, Sukuna's hatred for Yuji's indomitable willpower coalesces into a violent confrontation in chapter #248, finalizing their relationship's long-implied dynamic.

The battle is full of surprising twists, like Yuji having been taught how to perform Simple Domain. This behind-the-scenes training would lead to Yuji's Domain Expansion in chapter #265, rendering Sukuna captive to a one-on-one chat. During their stroll, Yuji expresses his changed perspective on the meaning of life. He also openly pities Sukuna, catching him off-guard and making him lose his usual condescending composure.

The result is a ruthless brawl in chapter #266, as Megumi starts to resist Sukuna's control, himself. The chapter ends with a showing the last of Sukuna's fingers suspended over a secret chasm, setting up one of Jujutsu Kaisen's most unexpected moments: Nobara's revival. Nobara deals huge damage to Sukuna with Resonance, allowing Yuji to set up death blows while Megumi vomits up Sukuna's fingers. A rapid end for history's strongest sorcerer.

Many were surprised to see that Nobara was comatose rather than dead, furthering controversy over the progression of the fight and its quick end. This is worsened by her only having woken up 30 minutes before her part in the fight. All told, though, the battle is incredibly fun to read, and it's not anticlimactic in the slightest.

Jujutsu Kaisen's Final Battle Ends By Chance

In The Process, Jujutsu Kaisen Drives Home Its Biggest Themes

What makes Jujutsu Kaisen's last showdown so excellent is that it was only possible because of the contributions of all the sorcerers. For example, Megumi's refusal to give in in chapter #268 after Yuji had knocked him unconscious ensured Sukuna's defeat. The preceding battles also had a lingering effect which made Sukuna's defeat even possible: Nobara was only able to intervene because Yuta Okkotsu had earlier tricked Sukuna when he had taken over Gojo's body, and Sukuna felt the continued effects of Gojo's Unlimited Void as late as chapter #266.

The fight isn't anticlimactic in the least. It simply enacts Jujutsu Kaisen's key themes of chance and the "fragments" of experiences accumulating over time.

Chapter #269 drives this point home, turning the fight into a meticulous set of errors. One character after another reflects on the Shinjuku Showdown, examining alternate routes and personal mistakes which, if avoided, could have shortened the confrontation. The Shinjuku Showdown was a coordinated effort through-and-through, likely including a sustained, if unexplained, effort to rouse Nobara.

In other words, the fight isn't anticlimactic in the least. It simply enacts Jujutsu Kaisen's key themes of chance and the "fragments" of experiences accumulating over time. The concept of chance permeates the series to the extent that one could even easily say it's about chance, and taking advantage of chance at the right moment. For example:

• The reason Yuji entered into the Jujutsu world to begin with was because, by chance, he consumes Sukuna's finger and actually manages to contain the King of Curses.
• Later, in a twist of fate, Sukuna likewise force-feeds Megumi a finger.
• Todo, on multiple occasions, appears just to assist Yuji at the right times.
• Yuji's muscle memory from Sukuna provides him with sudden proficiency in cursed techniques like Malevolent Shrine.
• Riko dies while escorted by Geto and Gojo because of the chance appearance of Toji Fushiguro.
• Defectors who loved Geto but hated Kenjaku turn against Kenjaku in the Shibuya Incident arc.

The list could easily go on. The battle against Sukuna could have been any length. A protracted battle isn't necessarily Jujutsu Kaisen's style. Jujutsu Kaisen would much rather show that, despite (or due to) building pressure, there is always the opportunity for total disruption and seismic rebalances.

After all, when Nobara makes her chance reappearance that would turn the tides of the battle, she triumphantly shouts "I hope you're happy, boys!" Jujutsu Kaisen asks fans to seize the twists and turns of chance by being happy that Sukuna is defeated and Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara are alive. It asks readers to recognize that the most arduous efforts are nothing in the face of chance. Finally, where some read the ending as being anticlimactic or unsatisfying, Jujutsu Kaisen asks why it can't be satisfying any other way.