Jujutsu Kaisen features a number of beloved characters in the world of anime, and Aoi Todo is no exception. Known for his charismatic personality, close friendship with Yuji Itadori, and unique combat skills, Todo has captured the hearts of fans. However, when he joins Yuji in the battle against Mahito during the Shibuya Incident arc, many fans feared for his fate.
Author Gege Akutami is known for his tendency to dispense with characters, regardless of their popularity, leaving fans uncertain about Todo's future. While Todo faces challenges in Shibuya, the outcome may not be as dire as many anticipate.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series.
Explaining Aoi Todo's fate in the Shibuya Incident arc in Jujutsu Kaisen
Aoi Todo's intervention to aid Yuji Itadori in his battle against Mahito is undeniably one of the standout moments in all of Jujutsu Kaisen. This further solidified Todo's status as one of the most beloved characters in the series. However, many fans are left wondering about Todo's fate following the events in Shibuya, a lingering question that may not be known to those who solely follow the anime or have yet to catch up with the latest manga chapters.
Todo is still very much alive in Shibuya and continues to appear in the manga. However, after his battle with Mahito, he is unable to use his Cursed Technique due to the damage caused by Mahito's Idle Transfiguration technique. Despite suggestions from fans, giving Todo a prosthetic hand is not possible as Mahito's technique has fundamentally altered the nature of Todo's soul.
Aoi Todo's wasted potential in the series
Todo and Yuji (Image via MAPPA).
Aoi Todo is undeniably one of the most beloved characters in Jujutsu Kaisen, and it's not hard to see why. His imposing appearance, sense of humor, and impressive fighting skills, coupled with his dynamic with Yuji, make him a standout in the series. Many fans were disappointed when he didn't have any more significant fights after the battle with Mahito in Shibuya.
This critique of author Gege Akutami's handling of characters like Todo is valid. Akutami introduces compelling characters with great potential, only to sideline them before they can fully develop. While Todo shone during the Shibuya Incident arc, other characters from the Kyoto class fell short, and his mentor, Yuki Tsukumo, was especially underutilized after just one fight.
Final thoughts
While Aoi Todo hasn't died in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, he never fights again after the Mahito battle in the Shibuya Incident arc. The recent events in the manga, involving the character of Miwa, generated even stronger reactions about that wasted potential, not because of how things develop for her, but rather the general approach of the series. Jujutsu Kaisen is still a very entertaining manga, but fans feel there is no denying that there were some characters and plot points that could have used some development.
This has been a divisive plot point in the fandom, but at least, Todo got to leave the story with a blaze of glory.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I was thrilled to see Aoi Todo's involvement in the Shibuya Incident arc. His dynamic with Yuji Itadori is one of the most entertaining aspects of the series, and his unique combat skills make him a standout character. However, I share the concerns of many fans regarding his fate after the battle with Mahito. Todo's inability to use his Cursed Technique due to Mahito's Idle Transfiguration technique is a significant blow to his character, and it's disappointing that he doesn't have any more significant fights after this point.
I understand that Gege Akutami has a lot of characters to juggle in Jujutsu Kaisen, but I believe that Todo deserved more development and screen time. His potential as a character is immense, and it's a shame that he was sidelined after such a pivotal moment in the story. While I appreciate the unpredictable nature of Akutami's writing, I can't help but feel that Todo's character was underutilized, along with several other characters from the Kyoto class.