Season 2 episode 22 of Jujutsu Kaisen finally showcased the much-anticipated debut of Yuki Tsukumo, who had previously only appeared in a flashback and a brief cameo during the Hidden Inventory arc in season 1.
Despite her limited screen time compared to the extensive cast of characters, Yuki Tsukumo remains one of the most beloved figures in Jujutsu Kaisen. The upcoming season 2 episode 23, set to premiere on December 29, 2023, will mark the conclusion of the season.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Yuki Tsukumo met her end battling Kenjaku
Yuki Tsukumo made her highly anticipated debut in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, episode 22, showcasing her pivotal role in rescuing Yuki from certain doom. Despite her brief introduction in season 1, she has already amassed a dedicated fan base. Now, with her expanded appearance in the anime, fans are buzzing with questions about her current status in the series.
Yuki's first appearance in chapter 50 revealed a pivotal flashback, demonstrating her role as a mentor to a young Aoi Todo. This interaction established the basis for Todo's development as a character. During the Hidden Inventory arc, Yuki delved into her beliefs about permanently eradicating cursed spirits, inadvertently leading Suguru Geto down a darker path.
During the Shibuya Incident arc's conclusion, Yuki Tsukumo made a surprising return and saved the main cast from Uraume and Kenjaku's threat. In the Culling Games arc, Yuki faced off against Kenjaku but tragically met her demise. Despite her loss, it should not overshadow her true prowess, as she was unable to fully utilize her domain expansion during the confrontation.
In Chapter 208 of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, Yuki's fate took a tragic turn as Kenjaku used a mini maximum uzumaki to split her into upper and lower halves. Despite this horrific fate, Yuki chose to end her own life.
Pushing her star rage technique to its limits, she unleashed its full power, resulting in the formation of a black hole in a last-ditch effort to vanquish Kenjaku. Tragically, Yuki met her end in the process, while Kenjaku managed to survive by employing his anti-gravity cursed technique.
Yuki Tsukumo as shown in the anime (Image via MAPPA)
Yuki Tsukumo possesses the cursed technique Star Rage, which allows her to increase mass, empowering herself and her shikigami, Garuda. While the added mass doesn't directly enhance physical strength, it does amplify the force of their attacks, turning Garuda into a formidable cursed tool when influenced by Star Rage.
It's important to note that the mass augmentation doesn't affect the user's weight or tensile strength. However, exceeding a certain density threshold causes a dramatic transformation, compressing the user's body into a black hole with intense density and gravity.
Final thoughts
Yuki Tsukumo, initially established as a formidable special grade sorcerer in Jujutsu Kaisen, met an unexpected end, sparking discussions among fans about Gege Akutami's portrayal of female characters in the series.
Yuki's death seemed to lack purpose despite her strength and intriguing abilities. Along with Aoi Todo, she serves as an example of a character whose potential was not fully utilized by Akutami.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I was thrilled to witness Yuki Tsukumo's long-awaited debut in season 2, episode 22. Her captivating presence and intriguing backstory instantly captivated me, leaving me eager to delve deeper into her character. Yuki's strength and determination were evident from the start, as she fearlessly confronted formidable opponents and displayed her mastery over the cursed technique, Star Rage.
However, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration when Yuki met her tragic fate in the Culling Games arc. Her demise felt premature and undeserved, especially considering her immense potential as a special grade sorcerer. It's disheartening to see such a well-crafted character's journey cut short without fully exploring her abilities and motivations. I genuinely believe that Gege Akutami missed an opportunity to develop Yuki's character further and contribute more significantly to the overall narrative.