The idea that Jujutsu Kaisen is being rushed toward its ending has sparked considerable debate among fans ever since it was revealed that the manga is set to end in late September 2024.
As the news broke, reactions ranged from excitement about the anticipated finale to concern that the story might be prematurely rushed.
Some readers believe that the pace of the manga hasn’t been affected and point to creator Gege Akutami’s early statement that the entire plot, including its direction and ending, had been meticulously planned from the start.
To them, the end of Jujutsu Kaisen is simply the natural outcome of Akutami’s original blueprint.
Nevertheless, a significant portion of the fandom is of a different mind. These fans argue that certain plot points, particularly those concerning the Heian Era and Kenjaku’s true plan, seem to have been abandoned, rushed, or overlooked.
For them, these missing narrative threads serve as evidence that Akutami may have decided to cut parts of the story in order to finish the series on schedule.
This theory, although speculative, has gained traction as readers return to earlier chapters and begin to connect the dots, looking for any indications that critical elements of the plot may have been scrapped or altered.
One such element is the reference to a “Cursed Realm,” which was mentioned by Kenjaku but never revisited. To many, this feels like a key concept that was discarded, reinforcing their belief that the story was hastily concluded.
Did Gege Akutami cut significant plot points to conclude the story in time?
The decision to end Jujutsu Kaisen in Chapter 271 was met with both excitement and frustration.
While some fans are eager to see how the story wraps up, others are disappointed by the number of plot points that appear to have been left unresolved.
Many readers expected more elaboration on these loose ends, and when this didn’t happen, the general feeling that the story was being rushed only intensified.
Some of the most prominent unfinished storylines include references to the Heian Era, the significance of various cursed techniques, and the true extent of Kenjaku’s grand plan.
These lingering questions have led fans to suspect that Akutami may have planned a much longer narrative for Jujutsu Kaisen but had to accelerate its ending.
The most compelling piece of evidence for this theory, according to many, is Kenjaku’s mention of the “Cursed Realm,” which was introduced in Chapter 160 but never brought up again in any meaningful way.
The “Cursed Realm” and its significance in Jujutsu Kaisen
In Chapter 160 of the manga, Kenjaku meets with Setsuko Sasaki, a high school classmate of Yuji Itadori, in a dream.
During this encounter, Kenjaku helps Setsuko escape the barriers within which the Culling Games, one of the major arcs in the story, is set to take place.
At first glance, this scene seems like a relatively straightforward setup for the Culling Games arc.
However, many fans quickly noticed that the dream-like setting of the encounter and Kenjaku’s cryptic dialogue hinted at something deeper.
Specifically, Kenjaku refers to the dream space they are in as the “Cursed Realm,” a concept that was not explored further in subsequent chapters.
This mention of a “Cursed Realm” stood out to fans because it suggested a previously unmentioned dimension or reality that could have played a significant role in the overarching plot.
In the context of the story, where cursed energy, domains, and different realms of existence are central to the power dynamics of sorcerers and curses, the introduction of a “Cursed Realm” seemed like it would become an important plot point later on.
Yet, after this single mention, the idea of the “Cursed Realm” was never expanded upon. This led many to speculate that it might have been part of a larger storyline that Akutami decided to abandon in order to keep the story moving forward.
Some fans have speculated that the term “Cursed Realm” might be the result of a mistranslation.
In the official translation of the manga, Kenjaku refers to the space as “the space between dreams and reality is a curse,” which seems to downplay the idea of a separate world and instead presents it as more of an abstract concept.
Still, even in this interpretation, the idea that Kenjaku can manipulate the boundaries between dreams and reality is intriguing.
However, as the story progressed, this ability was never explored in more detail, leaving fans with lingering questions about its true significance.
Given the complexities of Jujutsu Kaisen’s magic system and the nature of cursed techniques, it’s easy to see why the introduction of a “Cursed Realm” piqued so much interest.
The existence of a separate dimension where cursed energy operates differently, or where powerful sorcerers like Kenjaku can manipulate reality itself, would have fit perfectly within the story’s broader themes.
Yet, as with many other plot points in the series, this idea was seemingly abandoned, adding fuel to the theory that the story was trimmed down to meet a specific deadline.
Kenjaku’s “Cursed Realm” and its potential connection to Sukuna’s Domain Expansion
One reason the “Cursed Realm” line has stuck with fans is that it bears some similarities to Sukuna’s Domain Expansion.
So this was just a nothing burger? pic.twitter.com/gE05GxLZht
— Capitano fan (@merfolk6969) September 4, 2024
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Domain Expansions are incredibly powerful techniques that allow sorcerers and cursed spirits to create their own pocket dimensions, where their abilities become nearly unstoppable.
Sukuna, one of the most powerful cursed spirits in the series, is known for his mastery of Domain Expansion, and his domain is portrayed as a vast, empty space where he has total control.
Given the parallels between Kenjaku’s description of the “Cursed Realm” and the way Domain Expansions work, it’s possible that the “Cursed Realm” was originally intended to be a key part of Kenjaku’s abilities or plan.
If Kenjaku had access to a similar space between dreams and reality, where the rules of cursed energy were different, it could have made him an even more formidable opponent.
However, with no further exploration of this concept, fans are left to wonder whether this was a missed opportunity or simply an idea that Akutami decided to abandon for narrative reasons.
The idea of scrapped or abandoned plot points is not new in the manga world.
Weekly serialization is a grueling process, and manga creators often face intense deadlines and pressure from publishers to keep their stories moving forward at a consistent pace.
As a result, it’s not uncommon for creators to trim certain storylines, cut subplots, or even rewrite major parts of their narratives to ensure that they can meet their deadlines and deliver a satisfying ending.
Could the “Cursed Realm” have played a larger role in the story?
It’s easy to imagine how the “Cursed Realm” could have played a larger role in Jujutsu Kaisen had it been fully explored.
The idea of a space between dreams and reality, where cursed energy operates in different ways, could have been a fascinating addition to the series’ already complex magic system.
It might have allowed for deeper exploration of the mechanics of cursed energy, as well as Kenjaku’s mastery over it.
Furthermore, Kenjaku’s ability to manipulate the dream space suggests that he may have had powers that extended beyond those of a typical sorcerer.
His appearance in Setsuko’s dream raises questions about how far his influence could reach. Could he have used the “Cursed Realm” to manipulate other characters or events throughout the story?
Could this space have been the key to unlocking even greater cursed techniques or abilities?
Unfortunately, with the story rushing toward its ending, fans may never get answers to these questions.
The omission of the “Cursed Realm” from later chapters has left many readers feeling as though they missed out on a significant part of the story, one that might have added depth to Kenjaku’s character and the larger narrative.
Other plot points that were seemingly abandoned or rushed
The “Cursed Realm” is not the only plot point in Jujutsu Kaisen that fans feel was abandoned or rushed.
Throughout the series, there have been numerous hints and teases about the Heian Era, which is frequently referenced as the Golden Age of jujutsu sorcery.
Many of the most powerful characters in the series, including Sukuna and Kenjaku, are tied to this era, and fans expected it to play a significant role in the final arcs of the story.
However, despite the Heian Era’s importance, it has remained largely unexplored.
While there have been some flashbacks and references to this time period, fans were hoping for a deeper jump into the era’s history, especially given its connection to the series’ most powerful villains.
The lack of exploration into the Heian Era has led some fans to believe that it was another plotline that Akutami had to abandon in order to speed up the story’s ending.
Similarly, the Culling Games arc, which had been built up as a major event in the story, has also left some fans feeling underwhelmed.
While the arc has delivered plenty of action and character development, there are still many unanswered questions about the true purpose of the Culling Games and Kenjaku’s ultimate plan.
Fans were hoping for more clarity on these points, but with the story nearing its end, it seems unlikely that all of these questions will be fully resolved.
Challenges of concluding a long-running series
The decision to cut or rush certain plot points in Jujutsu Kaisen highlights the challenges that manga creators face when concluding a long-running series.
For a story as complex and layered as Jujutsu Kaisen, bringing everything to a satisfying ending while tying up all loose ends is no small feat.
Manga creators are often working under tight deadlines, and the pressure to deliver a satisfying ending can be immense.
In Akutami’s case, it’s possible that the need to meet a specific deadline led to the decision to cut certain storylines, including the “Cursed Realm” and the deeper exploration of the Heian Era.
While these choices may have been necessary to keep the story moving forward, they have left some fans feeling as though they missed out on important parts of the narrative.
Despite these challenges, Jujutsu Kaisen has remained one of the most popular and critically acclaimed manga series in recent years.
Akutami’s ability to create complex characters, intricate plotlines, and intense action scenes has kept readers engaged from the very beginning.
Even if certain elements of the story were cut or rushed, the final narrative has remained compelling, and fans are eager to see how it all concludes.
“What could have been” of Jujutsu Kaisen
As Jujutsu Kaisen approaches its final chapters, fans are left with a sense of anticipation and curiosity.
While the series has delivered a thrilling story full of action, emotion, and intrigue, there is also a lingering feeling of “what could have been.”
The mention of the “Cursed Realm,” along with other seemingly abandoned plot points, has sparked speculation about what the series might have looked like had Akutami been given more time to fully explore every aspect of the story.
The final chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen may provide some answers to these lingering questions, but it’s unlikely that every loose end will be tied up.
However, even with these unresolved mysteries, Jujutsu Kaisen will go down as one of the most beloved manga series of its generation.
Its impact on the world of manga and anime is undeniable, and fans will continue to discuss and debate its story long after the final chapter has been published.
In the end, while there may always be questions about the “Cursed Realm” and other scrapped plot points, Jujutsu Kaisen will be remembered for its complex characters, thrilling battles, and the emotional weight that has kept fans invested throughout its run.
Akutami’s ability to craft such a rich and engaging world is a testament to his skill as a storyteller, even as fans wonder what might have been had there been more time to explore every aspect of the Jujutsu Kaisen universe.
