The latest chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo has arrived, and it is already causing a massive stir within the fan community. For a series built on brutal twists and heartbreaking character deaths, Chapter 23 took a direction that very few saw coming. As the sequel to the original Jujutsu Kaisen manga barrels toward its conclusion, this week’s release has left readers with a mix of emotions, ranging from relief to confusion. The core question on everyone’s mind is simple: Is creator Gege Akutami going soft?
The chapter, titled “The Ceremony of Harmony,” was officially released on Sunday, February 22, 2026, via Shueishaโs Manga Plus and Viz Media platforms . It picks up immediately after the intense confrontation between Yuji Itadori and the transfigured human Mahito, focusing instead on a philosophical debate about the future of cursed energy itself.
The Plan for World Peace
The majority of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 23 is a dialogue-heavy exploration of how to end the cycle of violence between humans, cursed spirits, and the alien Rumelians. Yuji Itadori and the young Rumelian sorcerer Maru stand in the Passageway of Souls, debating two drastic options: eliminating cursed energy from Japanese people or turning them all into sorcerers .
However, Yuji quickly points out a major flaw in this plan. Since the existence of cursed spirits was made public 68 years ago, people outside of Japan have also begun generating cursed energy, which now flows into Tokyo. Yuji explains that it is impossible to simply erase cursed energy from just one population because every human being, regardless of where they live, emits a small amount of cursed energy from birth .
This revelation shifts the goal from total eradication to something far more moderate: reduction and harmony. Yuji proposes that instead of wiping out cursed energy completely, they focus on reducing the number of cursed spirits born each year to just a handful. He even volunteers to spend the next few centuries hunting down the powerful ones himself, giving humanity time to rebuild Tokyo and adapt to a new world order .
A New Understanding of Souls
The chapter dives deep into the metaphysical rules of the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. Maru comes to a critical realization while examining the souls of Kalyans, cursed spirits, and Rumelians: they all share “the same color” . This explains why Kalyans do not attack the Rumel tribe despite attacking other humans. They are, on a soul level, kindred.
Yuji draws parallels to the ancient being Tengen, who lived for over a thousand years and eventually became something similar to a cursed spirit without becoming evil. He also references his own brother, Choso, a being who was part human and part cursed spirit, proving that coexistence is possible .
Rather than changing individual souls through Idle Transfigurationโa technique that only reshapes the soul, not its fundamental natureโMaru decides to take a different approach. He plans to remake the Passageway itself, the metaphysical space where all souls pass through. By scattering their “color” as they enter the world, he aims to filter out as much cursed energy as possible before a person is even born .
The Price of Harmony
While the philosophical discussions lean toward hope, the chapter does not completely abandon the series’ darker roots. The narrative cuts back to Earth, where the battle between Dabura and the fearsome shikigami Mahoraga is interrupted. Maru apologizes for interfering in a warrior’s duel for the second time, transporting Dabura to Kenya to receive the Black Ropeโa tool capable of breaking the curse placed on his sister by the Deskunte Chief .
The emotional core of the chapter, however, comes during the final ritual. As Maru prepares to enact the Rite of Harmony alone, he finds his conviction wavering. At his lowest moment, he feels hands grabbing his own. Cross, his twin brother who was thought to be dying from gunshot wounds, appears beside him. On Cross’s other side stands Yuka, the human girl suffering from brain cancer who had summoned Mahoraga .
Cross and Yuka tell Maru they will do it together. Tsurugi, the boy who made a binding vow with Rika, also joins them. The four hold hands as Maru weeps, chanting: “With a prayer to appease all souls, we will complete this with a ritual of harmony!” .
Fan Reactions: “Disney Kaisen” or a Satisfying End?
The immediate reaction to Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 23 has been intensely divided. Longtime readers of the original series, which was notorious for killing off beloved characters like Nanami, Nobara (seemingly), and Gojo, are struggling to process a chapter where everyone seemingly survives or finds peace.
Online forums and social media platforms are buzzing with the term “Disney Kaisen” โa sarcastic nickname suggesting the series has traded its gritty edge for a family-friendly happy ending . Some fans feel that the off-screening of the Dabura vs. Mahoraga fight is a letdown, robbing readers of the high-octane action the series is known for .
“Eradicating curse energy and sorcerers all together is mega retarded btw,” one fan posted on a spoiler forum. “It’s not like there’s an entire planet of people who can use it or anythingโฆ What if they develop FTL travel and one day invade earth? Yeah right now Yuji is there. But what happens after his 300 year warranty expires?” .
Another user expressed disappointment in the narrative direction, saying, “Yuji with the help of some retarded alien twink with THE most asspull CT of all time, eradicates curse energy and cursed spirits from the worldโฆ GREEEEGGGGGG” .
However, not all reactions are negative. Some readers appreciate the thematic closure. The original Jujutsu Kaisen was a story about breaking cycles of suffering. Yuki Tsukumo’s dream of a world without cursed spirits, once considered impossible, is finally being realized, even if imperfectly.
What Happens to the Main Cast?
The spoilers and released chapter confirm the fates of several key characters, though interpretations vary. According to detailed breakdowns, Cross dies as a victim of the war between humans and Rumelians. Yuka, who chose to summon Mahoraga, succumbs to her brain cancer in her final month. Tsurugi also passes away due to his binding vow with Rika .
This leaves Maru as the sole survivor, the only one left to maintain the harmony between humans and Rumelians. While the ritual itself is a group effort in the spiritual realm, the physical world moves on without them. The editor’s note at the end of the chapter reads: “To a new world!” .
Release Schedule and Where to Read
Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 23 is officially available to read on Manga Plus by Shueisha and Viz Media. The chapter dropped globally on February 22, 2026, at the following times:
- 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time
- 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time
- 4:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time
- 9:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time .
For readers in Japan, the chapter became available on February 23, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time .
The sequel manga, which began serialization in September 2025, is a collaborative effort. While Gege Akutami handles the script, the artwork is provided by Yuji Iwasaki under Akutami’s supervision . The series is published in Weekly Shonen Jump and has quickly become one of the most read titles on Manga Plus globally .
Gege Akutami’s Future Plans
Amidst the debate over Chapter 23’s tone, Gege Akutami himself made a rare public statement regarding his career. In the Mangaka Musings section published by Viz Media on February 15, 2026, Akutami wrote: “I would like to dedicate my life to constantly facing manga, just like Matsui Sensei” .
This comment, made in tribute to Yลซsei Matsui (author of Assassination Classroom and The Elusive Samurai), confirms that Akutami has no plans to retire anytime soon. Despite the intense pressure of serializing a hit manga, the creator intends to keep working for years to come .
Akutami has also previously shared lighthearted reasons for staying off social media, joking that if he were too active online, he might end up arguing with middle school students about his own story decisions . This avoidance of fan feedback might explain why the author continues to march to the beat of his own drum, regardless of whether fans want more tragedy or more hope.
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Two Chapters Remain
With only two chapters left after this release, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo is rapidly approaching its finale. Chapter 24 is scheduled for release on March 2, 2026 . The remaining pages will need to show the aftermath of the Rite of Harmony and reveal what “a new world” actually looks like for the survivors.
Whether fans view Chapter 23 as a beautiful resolution or a disappointing swerve, one thing is clear: Gege Akutami is ending this sequel on his own terms. The question of whether the author has “gone soft” may ultimately depend on how the final chapters handle the consequences of this mass soul alteration. After all, in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, even the most well-intentioned plans have a way of going horribly wrong.
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