Jujutsu Kaisen’s New Training Arc Reveals The Genius Of The Series

Warning: Contains spoilers for chapter #258 of Jujutsu Kaisen.

Jujutsu Kaisen‘s unconventional approach to its latest training arc proves exactly what sets it apart from other shōnen series and reveals the hidden genius of Gege Akutami’s writing. Training arcs are an inescapable component of shōnen anime and manga as they play a crucial role in making a character’s growth seem believable. However, training arcs can often be boring as they are inherently a means to an end. That said, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s latest chapter proves it is possible to pull off a training arc while staying true to the series and still keeping things exciting.

Chapter #258 of Jujutsu Kaisen reveals yet another glimpse of the month-long training prior to the big battle against Sukuna. The chapter confirms that Yuji did indeed switch bodies with Kusakabe back in chapter #222 to learn how to use barrier techniques like a Simple Domain from Kusakabe. Not only is Yuji’s method of training quite unconventional, but the method in which it was revealed proves just how extraordinary Jujutsu Kaisen‘s training arc truly is.

The latest chapter confirms a running trend in the final battle wherein the series only reveals glimpses of its training arc as and when absolutely needed. As seen with Yuji’s use of Blood Manipulation and the revelation of Sukuna’s twin, the latest arc has taken a “show-don’t-tell” approach, revealing crucial context and necessary flashbacks at the most opportune moments. This unique structure has worked entirely in the Jujutsu Kaisen‘s favor and has allowed the series to maintain its exhilarating pace without its power-ups feeling forced.

Jujutsu Kaisen Has Kept Its Training Arc Compact

Created by Gege Akutami, chapter #258, “Inhuman Makyo Shinjuku Showdown, Part 30”

The battle against Sukuna has been a roller-coaster of emotions with unexpected twists at every turn and Jujutsu Kaisen‘s unique approach towards its training arc has helped the series cut straight to the chase. From Gojo being unsealed in chapter #221 to the beginning of Gojo’s fight against Sukuna in chapter #223, the series wasted barely any time in giving fans exactly what they wanted, keeping even the few diversions from the present battle incredibly short. As such, the entirety of the battle at Shinjuku, which has spanned well over thirty chapters, has been packed to the brim with nothing but pure exciting action and fighting.

Showing the month-long training period preceding the battle surely would have been the typical route for any other shōnen series. However, training arcs can be quite tedious, and with a battle as exciting as the one between Gojo and Sukuna on hold, spending a handful of chapters trudging through the preparations and planning for the battle would have certainly killed the excitement the series had built up following Gojo’s return from the Prison Realm.

Moreover, many of the battle’s biggest twists, such as Yuji using Blood Manipulation and Yuta using Cleave, would not have been half as exciting had the series taken the traditional route. Hence, Jujutsu Kaisen’s decision to show the training arc only in bits and pieces has also helped maintain the shock value of these big revelations. The compact structure of the training arc has also worked in Yuji’s favor by depicting him as an exciting wild card that has turned the tide against Sukuna and reclaimed his rightful place as the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen.

Jujutsu Kaisen Doesn’t Need a Training Arc to Justify its Power-Ups

Cursed Energy isn’t Conducive to a Traditional Shōnen Training Arc

Jujutsu Kaisen‘s lack of a training arc actually makes sense given the established rules of sorcery and Cursed Energy within the series. One of the earliest established facts in the series is that sorcery isn’t something one can improve at through rigorous training. Rather, it is through near-death experiences, setbacks, and grueling battles that sorcerers grow, develop their abilities, and undergo drastic transformations.

This fact has been proven time and time again through various battles in the series, such as Megumi’s battle against the finger bearer wherein he first opened his domain, and Yuji’s battle against Hanami where he performed his first Black Flash. Practical experience has always been more fruitful in helping a sorcerer grow, and thus, Jujutsu Kaisen has never truly had the need for a training arc. Yuji’s seemingly unconventional training with Kusakabe also takes the same practical approach by having Yuji experience using these barrier techniques first-hand as opposed to instructing him verbally.

Jujutsu Kaisen’s Power-Ups Are Justifiable Even Without a Training Arc

Gege Akutami’s Unique Storytelling Forces Fans to Read Between the Lines

While Jujutsu Kaisen is selective about how much it reveals of its training arc, every one of the power-ups seen thus far in the battle against Sukuna has been justifiable and set up through little hints scattered across chapters. An excellent example is the revelation of Yuta’s ability to use Sukuna’s Cleave, which was set up back in chapter #222 where Sukuna speculated that his final finger was likely in Gojo’s possession.

Another genius instance of foreshadowing is seen in chapter #247 where Sukuna is hit by a piercing blood attack by someone off-screen, which hinted at Yuji having acquired Blood Manipulation, as Choso was nowhere in the vicinity. As such, even Jujutsu Kaisen‘s most unexpected power-ups are secretly set up and are quite obvious to those who read between the lines and pay attention to the little details. Thus, the few glimpses of the training arc only serve to confirm these suspicions as opposed to justifying the series’ power-ups.

Overall, though Jujutsu Kaisen‘s final battle hasn’t been completely free of criticism, the latest chapters have proven that the series is still capable of defying expectations. Jujutsu Kaisen has never been afraid to go against the tide and this has helped set the series apart from the homogenous sea of shōnen manga. Say what one may about Gege Akutami’s writing, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s unique take on the stereotypical shōnen training arc is a wonderful reminder of what made the series so popular and rekindles excitement for the series’ epic finale.

Jujutsu Kaisen is available from Manga Plus and Viz Media.