Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 23: Recap and Review

The Origin of Obedience, Part 2

Jujutsu Kaisen’s final arc of the season is fleshing out Megumi Fushiguro’s character. Megumi and Nobara are underdeveloped compared to Yuji. As we head towards the last episode, the trio realizes that they’re in the presence of another Sukuna finger. Unfortunately, so are the newly resurrected Death Painting Wombs, Kechizu, and Eso. A Cursed Womb: Death Painting is “Special Grade Cursed Objects created with the mixed blood of both Cursed Spirit and human.” There are nine. In the previous episode, Mahito stole Death Paintings 1–3 that Jujutsu High possessed. Kechizu attacks Yuji with acidic blood. It surprised the curse that Yuji is so strong. Meanwhile, Nobara and Megumi play a creepy game of “whack-a-mole.” Suddenly, Eso pulls Nobara out of the domain. Kechizu rushes out of the domain to join with his “older brother.” Yuji chases them to help Nobara.

A Special Grade Curse Appears

After Megumi crushes the last curse with his Divine Dog: Totality, he notices the domain doesn’t disappear. A new tunnel appears and a curse similar to the one they fought in the detention center falls. This version of the curse is stronger. It snaps his cursed sword and then knocks him unconscious. In a flashback, we see Megumi and Gojo training. Gojo suggests that Megumi “doesn’t know how to bring out his best.” He reminds Megumi that jujutsu sorcerers fight alone. Gojo says “no matter how many allies a sorcerer has they always die alone.” That’s a very dark claim. It also conflicts with the message that Jujutsu Kaisen is trying to send. In this arc especially, they have emphasized that friendship matters. Is Gojo wrong? Or is the trio going to change what’s possible? It’s likely that Gojo is bitter or cynical after experiencing a tragedy. We’ll find out.

Domain Expansion: Chimera Shadow Garden

Jujutsu Kaisen has been teasing us regarding Megumi’s power. We finally get a glimpse. Picturing himself as a future Megumi that has surpassed his limits, he activates his incomplete Domain. He covers the floor with a shadow that releases darker versions of his summons. The curse escapes by using a powerful explosion of cursed energy. It’s exorcised by Megumi’s Divine Dog: Totality. With Sukuna’s finger in hand, Megumi falls asleep. Elsewhere, Nobara and Eso sense Sukuna’s finger. Eso goes to get the finger, while Nobara gives chase. The Death Paintings are a weird pair. Their design reminded me of the mechs from Gurren Lagann. Anyway, the rest of this episode sets up the next battles, Nobara vs Eso and Yuji vs Kechizu. Jujutsu Kaisen episode 23 adds important details to Megumi’s character. He steps out of his comfort zone and it pays off.