The trope of overpowered characters, protagonists in particular, has had its way ever since our bald friend decided to strike his enemies off with one punch. After Rimuru and Overlord Ainz Ooal Gown sama also joined the queue, we have had our fair share of OP-ness.
With Solo Leveling awaiting its epic Anime debut, fans who fancy seeing the protagonist rising to the top are in for a fill. But that makes us ask a vital question at such unfolding of OP tropes in Anime, and this one is regard to Gojo being killed off in the Manga’s recent development.
Gojo Satoru, Death, And Gege
Gojo Satoru’s death is more than just a major thing. For an Anime that has more or less based its primordial power axis around the overpowered mentor character who has his resemblance to Kakashi Hatake, Gojo’s death is no easy feat for any author to carry out.
- At least this much is evident in the fact that fans around the globe, or at least in Gege’s locality threatening our dear author.
- These fans seem to think such shenanigans are the only way to save their fictional white-haired one-eyed handsome prince. Oh don’t know what that is? Check this article by FandomWire.
For whatever sanity now remains of the fangirls and fanboys of Gojo Satoru, one question remains to be asked.
And today I propose something off-putting, disturbing and grotesquely incomprehensible to what I assume is a lot many Gojo fans.
Yes, Gojo Satoru is better off dead for the future of Jujutsu Kaisen.
BEFORE THAT: Do note that I have already gone on about this quite extensively in our finely crafted newsletter, which you may want to subscribe to and read.Fun thing it’s all free.
Note that this segment is contributed to by two of our writers.
How Gojo’s death can turn out differently
- This would dial him back to his pre-Toji Gojo persona, significantly weaker and exposed. This twist could lead to a fascinating character arc, as Gojo rediscovers his roots and evolves beyond the confines of being the “Strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer.”
- One crucial aspect of this alternative scenario is that it allows Gojo to maintain his role as Yuji’s mentor. Stripped of his overpowering abilities, Gojo’s knowledge from battling Ryomen Sukuna becomes super important. His guidance would be a huge factor in helping Yuji eventually take on Sukuna.
Gojo vs. Kenjaku needs a conclusion:
- Imagine this: Gojo sacrifices himself to avenge Geto, the only friend he ever had. While it might not be the perfect outcome, it’s certainly more satisfying than a vague off-screen death. Gojo deserves more than an off-screen death.
- Speaking of off-screen deaths and loose ends, there’s still so much we haven’t explored about Gojo Satoru. What happened to his father? To his dream of reforming the jujutsu society?
Considering Gojo’s influence, one would naturally expect him to be among the fortunate few who receive the send-off they truly deserve. An off-screen end, in comparison, feels almost like an insult.
SUB-AUTHOR: Kanishma Ray
3 Reasons why Gojo is better off Dead
1. The protagonist
The death of Gojo gives the centre stage to Yuji, Yuta, and Kashimo. Gojo Satoru has always remained as the unilateral force behind the central narrative of Jujutsu Kaisen.
While there are other characters such as Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu, who are exceptionally powerful to replace Gojo Satoru in due course, the narrative has always held back from addressing the possibility of such realities.
This is honestly one of the most heartbreaking deaths I’ve seen in manga
RIP Gojo Satoru #jjk236 https://t.co/6A5m6yPQYw pic.twitter.com/hot7WldXxa
— Main (@mainmajin) September 20, 2023
- The death of Satoru Gojo might, therefore, pave the way for a breeding ground of new talent and the emergence of forces stronger than the invincible Satoru.
- Gojo is better off dead because the balance of power in the plot is extremely bigoted towards him. It is clearly visible that other characters are easily disposed off when it comes to Gojo Satoru getting the limelight, and that has a negative and discriminatory connotation attached to it.
For all of these to end and be resolved, we need a character like Satoru who would shape the central narrative but ultimately give centre stage to his subordinates to take over.
2. Let the old era die
Gojo’s death marks the end of an era which has shaped the central narrative of Jujutsu Kaisen. I personally believe that Gojo, Geto and Nanami acted as the three pillars which signified the foundational principles and ethos of the present generation of sorcerers.
Hear me out. I need you to make think pieces about who had the worst Manga death because the writer made them too powerful to kill. gojo satoru vs madara uchiha. #GojoSatoru #madara personally I think it’s #Gojo because atleast Kishimoto admitted he didn’t know how to kill madara pic.twitter.com/W84iYFMNuf
— MalikWithacrown (@crownmemalik) September 27, 2023
While Gojo signified strength and power, Geto signified motivation, aspiration and change. Nanami’s character signified resilience and the quest for justice. These principles were laid down, but their founders soon left one after another.
- Finally, the death of Gojo marks the end of this era which has been the guiding light for sorcerers like Yuji, Yuta and others.
- Although Kashimo is an ancient character yet his importance is only limited to the ongoing battle. Since he was not a part of the beginning and we didn’t witness his character develop along with the story, we must not consider him as a flagbearer of the old era.
3. A more spicy story for the damned audience
Gojo Satoru is better off dead as it makes the story horrifyingly exciting Akutami has always considered Gojo Satoru as a hindrance in his story, a character who was made too powerful for the narrative to proceed forward.
Gojo became the symbol of absolution, and he became the fail-safe of the entire narrative as a consequence. It is true that his death guarantees a horrible future for the Jujutsu Sorcerers, but it is also not entirely true that the latter doesn’t hold the credibility to withstand such forces of disaster. The death of Gojo is in more ways than one a fitting response to the challenges of the plot.
Idk about all of you but all I see is a spoiler for next chapter and it says “no death of Satoru Gojo” to me that sounds like he is alive ☺️ https://t.co/2PFPKsq79w pic.twitter.com/RNddLG0yo0
— Moosha || TEAM SANITY ಠ(OvO)ಠ (@xxmooshaxx) September 24, 2023
Moreover, it will as an opening window for the unification of the Jujutsu sorcerers, who have time and again failed to fight for a unified cause. This is because they were always guaranteed that Satoru Gojo would ultimately come to the rescue.
His death was expected and it was a probable consequence, but the way he died diminished all of his actions, and that is something that the other character in the battle against Sukuna can change.
SUB-AUTHOR: Mayukh Dutta
Concluding
I am of the opinion that if you do not wish to take a more parody route like One Punch Man, you must take the route of unfamiliar territory and unknown enemies like Overlord. If you’re doing neither, then you must seal your most overpowered character, then have him face the worst disaster to ever strike the story, and die.
Whether you revive him afterwards or not is per your artistic freedom. (This is not meant as an attack to Gege, or it very well might be. Ask him to use Google Translator).