Description of Gojo Satoru in Jujutsu Kaisen is truly unique, captivating fans to the point that many believe he is the cornerstone of the series—so much so that without him, there would be no Jujutsu Kaisen. From his very first appearance, Gojo was elevated to a status that no other mage could match, his abilities so profound that they set him apart in a class of his own. With each appearance in Akutami Gege's manga, Gojo continues to amaze with his seemingly impossible feats, adding more layers to the legend of his power.
With this, the fandom was left stunned when Gojo, the strongest mage of the modern era, was killed by Sukuna, also raising concerns within the fandom in the process, about the fate of the remaining mages in the fight against the King of Curses without Gojo leading the way. However, some fans still hoped for his return even after the grim reality, recalling how Gojo once returned from the brink of death in the fight against Toji Zenin in the Hidden Inventory Arc.
Gojo's farewell letters show that even he knew he had no chance against Sukuna.
Gojo leaves a letter for his student knowing that he will not survive the battle.
However, this hope was dashed when Yuta entered the battle in Gojo's body, confirming that the strongest mage was indeed gone. This pivotal moment forced even Gojo's loyal fans to accept the truth of his death. While fans only accepted his death at this point, Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter #268 hinted that Gojo himself was aware of his impending death during his battle with Sukuna, despite his confident declaration of victory.
Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter #268 finally sees the intense battle against the King of Curses come to an end, bringing a moment of resolution. Notably, the plot shifts its focus to the emotional reunion of the series' core trio—Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara. The chapter in particular features Yuji handing Megumi and Nobara letters from their teacher, Gojo, containing important information that they otherwise would not have received directly from him. This subtle yet powerful gesture implies that these letters may serve as Gojo's farewell to his prized students, emphasizing his uncertainty about the outcome of his battle with Sukuna. Despite his bold declaration of victory, Gojo clearly harbors doubts, leaving his final thoughts in the event that he fails.
Additionally, this chapter contains another subtle hidden detail that also points to Gojo's uncertainty about his victory over the King of Curses. While Megumi and Nobara receive letters filled with their teacher's final words of wisdom, albeit possibly distorted, Yuji reveals that he did not receive a letter from Gojo but instead a private conversation with him. As Yuji recalls this moment, a sad expression flashes across his face, suggesting that Gojo's final message to him carries a deeper, darker weight.
While Gojo's exact words to Yuji remain unknown, it is implied that he confided in Yuji not only his final teachings but also the grim reality that he would go into battle with the mindset of dying. This subtle detail adds weight to Gojo's decision, and is a question to ponder as to why he chose to enter the battlefield with his bold declarations even though he knew it would lead to his death. Understanding Gojo's motivations behind this moment becomes even more important, as it hints at a deeper layer of his character, one that encompasses both the weight of his role and the inevitability of his sacrifice.
Why did Gojo lie about being able to defeat Sukuna?
Gojo's false declaration of victory is the key to Sukuna's defeat.
Despite knowing he would die, Gojo had to declare victory against the Curse King for strategic reasons. He needed to instill hope in his allies, show that even the strongest magician in history could be challenged, and instill fear in his enemies. This bold declaration eventually caused Sukuna to be cautious in his fight against Gojo. Despite being a respected warrior, Gojo's boldness prompted Sukuna to use tactics that would not normally be expected of him, such as summoning not only Mahoraga but also another Shikigami named Agito, forcing Gojo into a 3-on-1 battle.
While Gojo's reason for lying about defeating Sukuna seems simple, there may have been a deeper motive. His lie may have inflated Sukuna's confidence, causing the King of Curses to believe that after defeating the strongest mage of the modern era, no one else could pose a threat, thus lowering his guard against every other mage who came after him. As a result, the very mage that Sukuna underestimated—Yuji, who he believed had no chance—became the key to his downfall. Thus, Gojo's declaration of victory was essential in setting the stage for Sukuna's eventual defeat in Jujutsu Kaisen.