The Culling Games arc of Jujutsu Kaisen stands as the series’ longest arc, focusing on the protagonists’ battles against reincarnated sorcerers from the past.
The aim is to thwart Kenjaku’s plan to activate the Great Merger between Tengen and humanity. Despite featuring individual battles, the arc doesn’t follow the structured sequence typical of a ‘tournament arc.’ However, the author, Gege Akutami, recently revealed that the arc could have been designed as a tournament arc.
During a Jujutsu Kaisen exhibition, Akutami shared that the Culling Games arc was initially considered for a tournament arc format.
This would have included a separate arc for the rescue of Gojo Satoru. Akutami decided against this because all major characters from the protagonist’s side had already been introduced, and he felt there was no need to write the arc as a tournament arc.
Tournament arcs are a popular and enjoyable trope in anime, where two sides fight in a sequenced manner, with the side winning the most battles emerging victorious
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Classic examples include the Dark Tournament arc from Yu Yu Hakusho, the Tournament of Power arc from Dragon Ball Super, the Holy Grail War arc from Fate, and the Chunin Exam arc from Naruto. The Culling Games arc could have joined this list of iconic tournament arcs.
In the Culling Games arc, characters like Yuta engage in significant battles, and Akutami’s initial plan for a tournament arc could have expanded Gojo’s escape into a separate arc titled “Gojo’s Rescue arc.”
Additionally, this format might have provided Tsumiki Fushigoro with much-needed character development. Tsumiki, who appeared abruptly as the host of the ancient sorcerer Yorozu, lacked proper introduction and lore, making her an underwhelming character for many fans.
Despite his intentions, Akutami ultimately deemed the idea of a tournament arc unfeasible. He consulted his editors and was even prepared to alter the Culling Games’ rules and battles.
However, the primary issue was the lack of new characters to introduce in the arc. Key characters, including Hakari Kinji, had already been introduced before the arc started. Consequently, the tournament arc idea was discarded.
Several factors beyond character introductions also indicated that a tournament arc wouldn’t work. The fights in the Culling Games lacked the fairness typically associated with tournament arcs.
The entry of Naoya’s cursed spirit to take revenge against Maki exemplifies how the battles didn’t adhere to the structured and balanced nature of a traditional tournament arc.
