Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 9 Review – High Action Overload

I don’t consider myself a huge Shonen Jump nerd, but Jujutsu Kaisen has brought to light just how great this publication can be. Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 9 tells the back story of key Jujutsu sorcerers as we eventually witness how they winded up on different paths.

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 8 ended with Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto escorting the Star Plasma Vessel to Master Tengen. However, their mission was stopped right at the gates after a mercenary named Toji Fushiguro launched his attack. Toji is a powerful enemy, but outside of pushing Gojo and Geto to their limits, he makes them question their own resolve.

We know the outcome of the friendship, but it’s heartbreaking to see how these characters drift apart. They clearly have two very distinct ways of saving the world; one just involves killing fewer people. These events also tie into the present-day students and give us more reason to hope they accomplish their mission. It raises the stakes of what these characters are against and ultimately the sheer power they must defeat.

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 9 is packed with action. There’s minimal downtime in this volume so expect to fly through the pages as you witness some of the best fights this series has to offer. Returning are also the long-winded explanations of their attacks and abilities, which I don’t really understand. I mean, this could have just been narrated, but these guys really like to just spill the beans on how they survived and where their power comes from.

I was wildly impressed with the panels throughout the volume because there’s a lot of moving pieces. Further, there are such heartbreaking scenes that really stick their landing thanks to the panel layout. I hate that no one is safe in this world, and growing attached is only meant with sadness. On the other hand, I applaud the author for using these emotions to make this manga so impactful.

Now that Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 9 wrapped up a few key aspects of the past, we get to look to the future. These new students are growing more powerful each battle, but they are also walking on thin ice when it comes to the threats that loom just outside the school grounds. Many of the finer details about this world were details in this volume, which has me interested in how they utilize these new rules in upcoming chapters.