Warning: MASSIVE Jujutsu Kaisen Spoilers Ahead!Jujutsu Kaisen has endured as a franchise even after its original manga ending in 2024. This is thanks partially to its incredible anime continuing to expertly adapt Gege Akutami’s manga in particularly cinematic fashion, as well as a recent sequel series. But the main title’s most climactic fight left an impressive ripple effect on its world.
Unsurprisingly, the most consequential death in the Shinjuku Showdown set off a wave of conspiracy and no small amount of coping among the fandom. It was possibly the most viral moment in Jujutsu Kaisen history, ruining social media for anybody wishing to avoid spoilers. But now that the dust is settled, it’s helpful to reflect on JJK’s many late casualties.
Who Lives After Sukuna Is Defeated in Jujutsu Kaisen?
Every Participant In the Battle Played a Role
Despite multiple memorable and named characters dying in the fight against Sukuna, many notable participants lived to tell the tale in Jujutsu Kaisen, including some characters the readers would never have expected to survive. While there are reasonably predictable cases like Yuji Itadori surviving, some survivors include delightful surprises for fans.
While there’s been speculation about one specific survivor, the notable participants in the fight against Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen make for an impressive roster to carry into the series’ epilogue.
Notable survivors of the fight against Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen include:
- Yuji Itadori
- Yuta Okkotsu
- Megumi Fushiguro
- Hiromi Higuruma
- Fumihiko Takaba
- Maki Zenin
- Atsuya Kusakabe
- Nobara Kugisaki
- Toge Inumaki
- Kinji Hakari
- Miguel Oduol
- Larue
- Aoi Todo
- Ino Takuma
- Mei Mei
- Ui Ui
One notable survivor was Megumi Fushiguro, whose depths of despair allowed Sukuna to take control of his body. Still, in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter #266, signs begin to show of Megumi regaining his will following a heartfelt plea from Yuji. This key instance helped tip the scales against the curse and end the fight two chapters later.
This, on top of intervention from Yuta Okkotsu, who copied Kenjaku’s technique to take over Gojo’s dead body and surprise Sukuna (and the fans), was among the best surprises of the arc.
Some JJK Side Characters Became Star Survivors for the Fandom
Two other notable survivors included Hiromi Higuruma and Fumihiko Takaba, whose participation in the fight was noteworthy in different ways. Hiromi heroically tries to sentence Sukuna to death with his cursed technique and uses the Executioner’s Sword, which however fails to take Sukuna out.
Shockingly, Higuruma survived against his formidable opponent, which proves how talented he is, considering he’s been a sorcerer for just two months.
Takaba, meanwhile, was involved elsewhere, distracting Kenjaku with a sidesplitting and head-scratching series of chapters. He used his phenomenal powers to neutralize Kenjaku before Yuta landed a decisive blow in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter #243. In the end, it appeared that Takaba had died, but this proves to not be the case, and it’s possible that Kenjaku survived too.
Gojo’s 10 Best Jujutsu Kaisen Quotes, Ranked
Never at a loss for words, Jujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo had an exceptional gift of gab. It wasn’t all braggadocio, though, much was quite profound.
Todo also survived despite being hit by a Black Flash from Sukuna while protecting Hana Kurusu, who also is still alive, despite the loss of an arm, which did not prevent her from confessing to Fushiguro (kind of). Maki also survived, a particularly impressive feat considering she took Sukuna on in hand-to-hand combat, showing the power of her Heavenly Restriction.
Finally, the two “weakest” sorcerers, Takuma and Kusakabe, also unexpectedly survived their confrontation with the King of Curses, with Kusakabe being particularly shocked that this happened. Still, without his mastery of Simple Domain, the heroes would have not come out of this battle.
While the survivors are noteworthy in this fight, the casualties vastly change the status quo in the Jujutsu Kaisen finale.
Who Dies in Jujutsu Kaisen’s Shinjuku Showdown Arc?
One Crucial Development Split the Fandom
With the Shinjuku Showdown Arc being sparked by the duel between Sukuna and Gojo, it’s especially noteworthy that neither Sukuna nor Gojo survives in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Sukuna’s death was a reasonable conclusion not just for the arc but an assumed end for the character, and in chapter #268, fans were treated to his pitiful demise, shrugging off Yuji’s mercy. Gojo’s death, however, rocked the fandom, and despite him being thoroughly cut down by Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter #236, fans held out hope for Gojo returning.
Notable casualties of the fight against Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen include:
- Satoru Gojo (chapter #236)
- Hajime Kashimo (chapter #238)
- Iori Hazenoki (chapter #239)
- Kenjaku (chapter #249)
- Choso (chapter #259)
- Ryomen Sukuna (chapter #268)
- Uraume (chapter #268)
The most noteworthy aspect of the Shinjuku Showdown Arc’s deaths is that, after Gojo’s death, there are never more than ten chapters until the next significant death. While unnamed characters also meet their end in this period, including unnamed Culling Game participants, moments like Gojo and Sukuna’s demise are those the fans will undeniably remember.
Sukuna’s death is a fitting end to the curse, as he rejects being given mercy and living alongside Yuji.
Besides Gojo, the only one who died on the “good guys team” was Choso. He sacrificed his life to protect his brother Yuji from Sukuna’s flames, in an incredibly sad moment that unfortunately was swallowed by the heat of the battle, literally. On the other hand, Sukuna’s death is a fitting end to the curse, as he rejects being given mercy and living alongside Yuji.
Yuji’s line “You are me,” refers to his confrontation with Mahito in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter #126 as closure for the protagonist. Kenjaku’s death, however, comes as he tries to end the culling game even as his head is severed after chapter #243, yet he is consumed in chapter #249 by Rika to allow Yuta to use his Brain Transplant technique.
Despite this, Kenjaku’s demise may not have been permanent, as hinted in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter #270. A momentary glimpse of Kenjaku in Suguru Geto’s body, hinted by the hair yet strategically covered by Gege Akutami’s speech bubble placement, means that Kenjaku could hypothetically be alive in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter #270.
However, given Takaba’s Comedian ability to turn anything he finds funny into reality, this could be a simple gag, with his “Whatever, let’s get on with it” line obscuring Kenjaku’s face. But the confirmation of Takaba being alive and finally finding a partner for his comedy duo is a heartwarming scene with possibly the most unexpected Shinjuku Showdown survivor.
Does Satoru Gojo Live After the Sukuna Fight in Jujutsu Kaisen?
“Nah, I’d Win”
Gojo did not win his fight with Sukuna, which has plunged the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom into numerous bouts of theorizing over whether he survives, most notably in chapter #261 where Gojo’s body returned. However, this was revealed to be Yuta Okkotsu’s gambit in case Gojo was to die fighting Sukuna, serving as additional confirmation of his demise.
Despite Jujutsu Kaisen’s September 2024 conclusion, there’s plenty of material for discussion.Gojo’s fight against Sukuna alone is an exciting highlight that’ll surely receive a glorious anime treatment, but other moments, including Miguel, Atsuya, and Nobara’s participation, are worth seeing animated.
But with Jujutsu Kaisen’s ending signaling another member of the Shōnen Dark Trio bowing out, it’s important to take stock of which characters survive, should the story’s universe continue in the future.