#jujutsu kaisen 214 spoilers

[linkspooky]

JUJUTSU KAISEN, CHAPTER 214 THOUGHTS

Hana's death could be read as the destruction of innocence. The pointless suffering that is inflicted again and again by life. Just like the audience, the characters in Jujutsu Kaisen are always suffering too. Sukuna and Yuji clash this chapter, and so do their world views. While they seem like opposites they're actually talking about the same thing. How do you live in a world full of suffering? Why do you live in a world full of suffering? What's the point? Yuji and Sukuna are both puzzling over and trying to answer this question, but they're arguing from completely opposite points of view.

They represent two ends of the extreme, one of the side of the weak, and one on the side of the strong. Understanding their points of view can help understand their characters, more underneath the cut.

1. Samsara

Samsara in BUhism refers to the cycle ofrepreated birth, mundane existence, and dying again. Samara is considered to be dukha, suffering, and in general unsatisfactory and painful. More or less from a budhist point of view suffering is always inherent to life no matter how noble a life one tries to lead. The rude of suffering in this thought comes from ignorant desires and fears that all people have.

To borrow a panel from another manga (Tokyo Ghoul, if you read my blog you might have heard of it) the budhist view is essentially life itself will always have suffering and the only way to escape suffering is to eventually escape the cycle of death and rebirth entirely.

"Suffering is inherent to life" a depressing thought, but true nonetheless. There's no such thing as a life without pain or sadness. The cycle of karma is represented in many ways in Jujutsu Kaisen, such as curses which must be exorcised over and over again by sorcerers. No matter how many curses are exorcised, they all eventually reform, which traps sorcerers in this cycle.

Geto's downfall and madness even comes from being worn down as a part of that cycle, and the extremes he's willing to go to our driven by a desire to break free or end that cycle permanently. The curse he's exercising in that panel is the same face as this classic depiction of a thangka showing the bhavacakra, the five cyclic realms of samsara in budhist cosmology. It's the creature at the top of the wheel with the third eye opened.

Curses are created by desires and negative human emotions the same way the sufferig inherent to life in budhit cosmology is created by sins like ignorance and desire. Now, this chapter we have Sukuna, a curse, and Yuji a human who are both aware of the suffering of life and their two completely different responses to it.

2. The Myth of Sisyphus

Yuji's shouting at Sukuna almost comes off as naive. Yuji's basically just yelling "Why can't everyone just be nice?" I just said that Yuji and Sukuna are both responding to the suffering inherent to life but Yuji doesn't even seem capable of comprehending why that suffering exists. To borrow my friend @theanimepsychologist's words.

Theanimepsychologist: It's also kind of infantile of him to ask "why can't you just live without causing suffering?" As though he can't fathom that suffering is a normal aspect of life. Very pisces of him to just want to alleviate suffering.

Gege said in a world where jujutsu sorcerers didn't exist, Yuji would be a fireman, not a policeman. Which is important discussion, because Yuji is entirely focused on rescuing people, he doesn't really think of dealing out punishment. However, as a Jujutsu Sorcerer it's fortunate Yuji is dealing with curses who are just abstract embodiments of negative human emotions that are for the most part chaotic evil. Like, what would Yuji say exactly if he was just facing a normal human being?

To borrow from another manga again, what if he was facing a villain like Shigaraki Tomura, someone who has suffered all throughout his life at the hands of other people, and inflicts suffering in return, but also has a goal of destroying society because he sees the society that rejected him as the source of that suffering. Yuji, conveniently only fights curses who's nature it is to eat humans and consume human misery for no specific reason what would he say exactly if someone had complex nuanced reasons for what they do.

All of this to say while Yuji has good intentions, his views are in the extremes of black and white. Arguably, and this is where the foiling comes in his views are as black and white as Sukuna's, he just sits on the opposite end of the spectrum. They are both unequally able to see nuance or shades of grey in reality, Sukuna just sits from the perspective of the strong, and Yuji from the perspective of the weak.

I'd argue that Yuji doesn't actually want to think of the complexity of the world around him at all. He doesn't even see that humans are equally capable of inflicting suffering on other humans, or that say structures that are constructed by humans, like say the legal system that made Higuruma suffer, or the sorcerer society around him can also make humans suffer. Yuji's so fixated on exorcising curses and looking at doing nothing else because it conveniently plays into this black and white narrative he has.

Yuji's views are, surprisingly nihilistic for the hero of a shonen manga. If he sees life as nothing more than exorcising curses, if there's no deeper meaning to it then just doing his job then why is he even living in the first place? The answer of course, is that he's not really trying to live.

Let me bring out handy chart to explain my point.

Existential nihilism is the philosophical theory that life has no instrinsic meaning or value. With respect to the universe, existenital nihilism suggests that a single human or even the entire human is insignificant, without purpose and unlikely to change the totality of existence.

The Myth of Sisyphus written by Albert Camusb begins with what has become the most famous opening sentences in literature and philosophy.

"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether or not life is or is not worth living amounts of answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest - whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories - comes afterwards. These are games; one must first answer. And if it is true, as Nietzsche claims, that a philosopher to deserve our respect, must preach by example, you can appreciate the importance of that reply, for it will precede the definitive act."

The Myth of Sisyphus itself basically represents the same concept of Samsara. Sisyphus pushes the bolder up the hill, it falls down, then he pushes the bolder back up the hill again. People live, die, and are reborn again. Jujutsu Sorcerers exorcise curses, only for those curses to reform, and they have to exercise them again.

Yuji's views are as nihilistic as Sukuna's. Sukuna doesn't see a point or reason for weak people to continue to live. Yuji isn't trying to live either, nor is he trying to create any meaning for his own life.

3. Hedonism

Sukuna is an inherently hedoinstic character. He has a giant mouth on his stomach. He is a walking appetite. His domain expansion is based around cooking. His only servant / ally Ura Ume was a really good cook. If the concept of samsara argues that all evil in life comes from worldly desires (like gluttony eating more than you need to survive) then Sukuna as a curse represents that evil he spreads suffering because all he does is consume, consume, consume.

One important difference is Hedonism is a lifestyle, whereas Nihilism is a philosophy. Sukuna's views are similiar to Yuji's, life is just suffering for the weak, and he doesn't really see any meaning in extending that life if you are weak. However, his hedonistic lifestyle is a response to that nihilism.

Pleasure plays a central role in all forms of hedonism; it refers to expereince that feels good, and contrasts with pain or suffering. Psychological hedonism is an empirical theory about what could possibly motivates us: all our actions aim at increasing pleasure and avoiding pain. This is usually understood in combination with egosim, i.e. that each person only aims at their own happiness. It probably doesn't need to be said that Sukuna is an extremely egotistical character.

If you accept nihilism as truth, the world has no meaning, people suffer for no reason, than hedonism is one possible logical conclusion, live your life minimizing suffering and seeking pleasure. This is basically what Sukuna says.

People, especially weak and miserable people should spend their lives stifling their misery, and numbing themselves down by avoiding pain rather than trying to seek more.

Sukuna is also equally asking the same question that Camus asks. The basic question of all philsophy is whether or not to shoot yourself. The same way Yuji doesn't see a point in himself living, Sukuna sees no point in weak people living.

Ironically, when it comes to drowning your sorrows as Sukuna suggested, Nietzsche was against that.

He only ever drank milk and avoided alcohol. The idea went to the heart of his philosophy: "There have been two great narcotics in european civilization. Christianity and alcohol." He hated alcohol for the very same reasons that he scorned christianity, because both numbed pain, and both reassure us that things are just as fine as they are, sapping us of the will to cahnge our lives for the better. A few drinks offer in the transient feeling of satisfaction that can get fatally in the way of taking steps necessary to improve our lives." [SOURCE]

Sukuna sees no point in self improvement or struggle to get stronger, the weak will always be the weak, the strong will always be the strong. His views are equally as black and white as Yuji, because he divides those two groups into rigid boxes that will never change. His views even reflect Geto's just a little bit, defining sorcerers and normal humans as two distinct categories with no overlap, sorcerers are strong, humans are weak monkeys.

The weak aren't even worthy of living in Sukuna's eyes, and Geto wants to exterminate the weak non-sorcerers. Sukuna even reminds me of this passage from the JJK light novel.

"To live for the purpose fo being yourself, and for that goal, Geto could only continue to pursue his twisted dream, drowning himself in the curse that lies in the gap between ideal and reality. This was the final confession of a man who could only choose to warp himself, who had erased himself in the pursuit of his goals."

Sukuna, like Geto is a powerful sorcerer who became a curse in pursuit of his goals. Sukuna, like Yuji despite how self-aggrandizing he is, despite how egotistical seems to have no sense of self like Yuji. He does everything for himself of course, he has an overpowering ego, he has strong desires that he lives for... but rather than satisfying those desires, and being the strongest, does Sukuna really live for anything or have a reason for what he does? What are his personality traits besides... strong? He has no friends besides loyal servants. He just eats, and eats, and eats and then what? It's just another cycle, like Geto consuming curses only for more curses to be born, like Sispyhus pushing the boulder up the hill. This is how Sukuna reflects Yuji, because he's not trying to create any meaning for his life either. He's also trapped in the cycle. They are at opposite ends, Yuji is "Weak" while Sukuna is "Strong" but they both have the same nihilistic views. They're both still stuck in the same cycle.

[onyxstone14]

💔

[allmightydepression]

Gege's storytelling is truly unparalleled>>>

The itafushi angst is out here for all of our lives but ignoring for a moment I need to take the moment to fully appreciate the fact that where satoru and suguru failed to immediately action after kenjaku arrives at shibuya; but where as soon as megumi is taken over by sukuna, both yuuji and megumi donot waste another moment and start retaliating to the point where sukuna has to actually take them seriously. Satoru's love for suguru made him falter in the final second and quite literally completely changed the world for the worse, whereas yuuji's love for megumi made him more decisive than ever to fight every punch and kick to save megumi. All of their stories come full circle to their origins, suguru didn't want to be saved by satoru even when satoru offered to give up everything for that and in the end their love ended up cursing each other , whereas megumi asked yuuji to save him, when yuuji didn't believe in his capability of saving anyone; and this chapter is the direct parellal to the first chapter- yuuji fighting till the very end to save people, even if it's just one person; because that one person means the world to him, yuuji saved megumi the day they met and if it means guiding megumi to his proper death, then that is the saving yuuji is willing to do in the present, their love gives them the strength to achieve things that the two strongest sorcerers of their generation weren't able to achieve.

[embarrassinglastwords]

jjk 214 spoilers

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THESE PARALLELS

THIS ONE TOO

[epickiya722]

I just realized that if Yuji manages to get a punch on Sukuna's face in his OG form, Yuji will be the only character to have fought Sukuna in the three forms he's been in and has landed a punch to his face each time.

EDIT: FOLKS!!! HE HAS DONE IT!! HA HA!!

Chapter 11, Chapter 214 and Chapter 251

[kafiguas]

Chapter 214 summary:

[sugurugayto]

OHHH THIS IS SO SICK AND TWISTED

[stsgbrainrot]

jjk 214 thoughts

Finally had some time to gather my thoughts about the latest chapter and my head is full of Megumi

Megumi who is at his absolute lowest point, who Sukuna described as his soul breaking. Megumi who for a brief moment believed his sister had come back to him only to have his hope extinguished in such a cruel manner. And now his last interaction with her might forever be one of pain, betrayal, and disbelief that he didn't recognize the imposter earlier. Megumi who’s mentor and guardian is still trapped in the prison realm and the only hope to release him is now dead, slaughtered right in front of him. Megumi who had to watch Hana, the girl he once saved die by his own hand even if he was an unwilling participant and powerless to prevent it. Megumi who watches his friends brutalized and dismissed in such a careless manner. Megumi who is forced to fight his closest friend, faced with the devastating reality that Yuuji might die for a second time.Yuuji, the boy he promised to save from their first meeting, his life a living hell which would bring anyone to their knees.

And yet... Megumi who finds a way to fight back against the King of Curses, no matter how low the odds bc it’s Yuuji’s life on the line, and Yuuji has always been that important to him. Megumi who is so fundamentally kind at his core and needs to prevent Sukuna from spilling more innocent blood, regardless of what it costs him. Megumi who even with his soul almost completely shattered refuses to give up because he is so full of love and determination.

And finally Megumi who learned that it’s possible to fight Sukuna bc of Yuuji and who knows that no matter what Yuuji will always be on his side. They are still in this together.  

[panda-janai]

bad time but I just find the timing hilarious how megumi didn't interfere when hana was literally getting her arm torn off and chucked off a building but did when yuji was in danger

Edit: added alt text

[littleholmes]

ohhhhhhhhh snap and holy smokes, there’s a lot in the short amount of text in this chapter!

1. First, Sukuna knows/recognizes/understands Yuji and what he is and where—rather who—he comes from

I guess since Yuji was his vessel he wasn’t able to get a full understanding of Yuji’s lineage and him being Choso’s little bro as a cursed womb painting, but now that he’s out of Yuji, he can see it all—and whew he wasn’t quite ready for it. Right before this, Sukuna was kinda puzzled by Yuji’s strength…and then he realized. He recognized that Yuji is potentially a product of what I affectionally call Kenjaku’s asshole era (though he has a couple of those) and knew Kenjaku has something to do with Yuji. Which brings me to the second thing

2. He, Ryomen, the ‘King of Curses’, Sukuna, is disgusted (or at least grossed out) by Kenjaku’s actions

Apparently Sukuna has a line that even he won’t cross and Kenjaku crossed it (and apparently crosses it frequently since he said grossest things, which implies Kenny does gross shit all the time or at least on a regular enough basis that he knows the horrible history). Sukuna maybe said it with a touch of admiration, but mostly it read in a way that was like, as messed up as he is himself, there’s things even he won’t do, and Kenjaku is the type to do them—

Which is wild to me, because you have to do some really messed up things for the King of Curses to say you do gross things. And we know Kenjaku is bad and he’s done messed up and gross things but like dude is apparently even worse than what we know, and has done things so incredibly awful and obscene and horrible that even Sukuna is like yikes.

I’m rambling but whether his comment is in admiration or disgust or a bit of both, it’s clear from Sukuna’s words that Kenjaku is worse than him. Which, while I’m comparing Sukuna and Kenjaku, brings me to the third thing.

3. Megumi is pulling a Suguru and is taking back control of his body

Kenjaku may be using Suguru as a vessel, but during Shibuya he tried to regain control for a brief second after Satoru tried speaking directly to Suguru (remember the whole, you’re just gonna let him use you like that comment and Suguru’s movement against Kenjaku’s wishes?). The same is happening with Sukuna to Megumi, except since Megumi is still alive he’s fighting back harder than Suguru’s residuals. And he’s fighting so intensely that he’s impacting his energy output so he can’t attack Yuji as hard as he wants.

Megumi said ‘not today’ and Sukuna, for what it’s worth, kinda doesn’t seem too mad about it. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he was expecting him to fight back. After all, he’s against Megumi before and knows what he’s capable of (kid’s a Zen’in after all) and what he’s like when he’s in fighting for his friends, but especially Yuji.

idk I’m rambling but whew this chapter had some interesting points and I’m tagging in my friend @theanimepsychologist in case I missed anything, but I can’t wait to see what comes next

[aiku]

jjk ch.214:

why do such weaklings cling so fiercely to life? how can a creature that falls apart at a touch say that it always wants to be happy? your suffering is natural. you people are meant to be chewed up.

then let’s see if you can chew up me and my suffering.

[pinkmasquerade]

Megumi about to wage the sickest, most vicious psychological warfare on a thousand year old curse to make sure his boyfriend lives

[allmightydepression]

You know what despite it all, Kenny is a celebrated genderfluid whore in the community whereas sukuna after the latest chapter is just getting roasted like a cishet dudebro dropping the most irrelevant opinion, I love that for us we indulge in right kind of villainy in this household.

Kenny: *indulges in the worst kind of body horrors known to human kind*

The fandom: SLAYYYYY KENNYS SERVING CUNT IN FRONT OF DENNY'S LOVE THAT FOR THEM WHAT AN ICON POP THAT PUSSY Y O LETS GO BULLY GOJO AND GETO MORE

sukuna: *calls Kenjaku disgusting for indulging in that and sounds like a sane person for once lmao*

The fandom: BOY IF YOU DONT STFU MY BABYGIRL OVER THERE HAS BEEN SLAYING SINCE CHRISTS FIRST ARRIVAL AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE HUH TRYNA CONTROL TWO MENTALLY ILL TEENAGERS AND SOMEHOW FAILING IN IT BOOHOO YA CRINGEFAIL LOSER ALSO LEAVE MY KIDS ALONE

[embarrassinglastwords]

jjk 214 spoilers

i have not been able to stop thinking about this

[epickiya722]

Till this day I still say this distorted image of Megumi's face while Sukuna possessed his body is one of the most nightmare fuel images in JJK.

Like, Sukuna didn't have to do this! *shivers* That face is just... sheesh...

[thedubiouspeach]

So uh, I think this about sums up recent events of 214 lmao