Warning: Contains spoilers for chapter #259 of Jujutsu Kaisen.
Summary
Choso's impactful death is overshadowed by Todo's timely appearance on the battlefield with Boogie Woogie. This chapter fails to explore Yuji's emotional turmoil after Choso's death, leaving readers wanting more. Todo's reunion with Yuji has the potential to lead to an interesting battle against Sukuna with the truth about how Todod got his cursed technique back yet to be discovered.
Jujutsu Kaisenfan-favorite older brother, Aoi Todo, has finally entered the battlefield against Sukuna, resurrecting the franchise's most iconic duo, albeit at the worst possible time. While Yuji and Todo's reunion on the battlefield promises an exciting battle ahead, the timing of Todo's return only ruins what could have been one of Jujutsu Kaisen's most impactful character deaths.
In chapter #259, Choso sacrifices himself to protect Yuji from Sukuna's Burning Holy Flame technique. Choso's death affects Yuji as much as the reader as they recall their training before the battle against Sukuna. This chapter even mentions that Choso's death shook Yuji's resolve to the core for the first time since the beginning of the battle at Shinjuku.
However, instead of highlighting Choso's death, the chapter quickly cuts to Todo arriving on the battlefield with a later flashback of Todo and Mei Mei discussing plans to use Boogie Woogie to evacuate any who is trapped in Sukuna's territory. Todo's entry perfectly coincides with Sukuna being unable to use his Cursed Technique after using his domain, but This chapter feels quite rushed due to skipping over Choso's death so quickly.
Todo and Yuji Reunion Cut Choso's death short
Jujutsu Kaisen created by Gege Akutami, chapter #259 “The Inhuman Makyo Shinjuku Showdown, Part 31”
While Gege Akutami certainly picked up the pace for the final battle against Sukuna, Choso's death didn't just feel like a Wasted opportunity for more character development for Yuji, but also lost the excitement when Todo appeared. Since the Shibuya arc, Yuji and Choso have become extremely close with a strong brotherly bond between them that could bring fans to tears if fleshed out properly.
Choso's last words thanking Yuji for being his brother are quite simply heartbreaking and his death could have a similar impact as Nanami's death in Shibuya made this chapter reflect about Yuji's inner turmoil at this time. Worse yet, Todo vaguely reassures Yuji that everything “might” be okay, which immediately allows Yuji to carry on as if nothing had ever happened, which seems quite unnatural, even for someone with an indomitable spirit like Yuji.
Confidence is always more admirable when it is tested, and it will be even more admirable. It makes more sense for Yuji to stand up on his own without needing Todo's blunt reassurance. Yuji was forced to witness many deaths and fatal injuries in this single battle against Sukuna, including that of his mentor Gojo, Higuruma, and even Yuta. However, if there is one of the people affected the most it has to be Choso and chapter #259 doesn't make the most of his death.
The iconic duo of Todo and Yuji promises to be new and exciting
However, Todo's entry into the battlefield almost guarantees that the fight against Sukuna is about to take an interesting turn, especially since Sukuna is currently unable to use his Cursed Technique. Sukuna may face another beating this time with Todo and Yuji teaming up to tag the King of Curse. With a history of fighting together, Todo and Yuji are clearly an excellent duo with incredible synergy, and Todo somehow regained the ability to use Boogie Woogie, the battle against Sukuna could end up very similar to the duo's fight with Mahito at Shibuya.
It's unclear exactly how Todo was able to use Boogiee Woogie since he shouldn't have been able to heal or regenerate the hand he lost to Mahito. The most likely hypothesis currently is: Todo may be using some type of prosthetic is powered by cursed energy but all will likely be confirmed in upcoming chapters when Todo finally takes off the bandage around his arm.
Overall, the latest chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen is an emotional roller coaster with the sudden death of Choso and the return of a very unexpected character in the form of Aoi Todo, Yuji's other brother. While this chapter leaves quite a bit to be desired narratively and emotionally, the quick pace suggests that the final battle and the series itself may end much sooner than expected.
Jujutsu Kaisen available from Manga Plus and Viz Media.
