How Culling Game Arc Complicates Power Scaling

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 29, 2024 3 Views 9 Min Read
Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Will Provide An Update Regarding Culling Game Arc

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen Manga.

Summary

  • The Culling Game arc in Jujutsu Kaisen introduces inconsistent power scaling due to new characters & techniques.
  • New domains in the Culling Game arc raise more questions than answers leading to power scaling confusion.
  • Emotional influence creates unpredictable power outcomes, affecting consistency within battles in Jujutsu Kaisen.

The Culling Game arc of Jujutsu Kaisen is undoubtedly one of the most ambitious arcs in the series, introducing a plethora of new characters, techniques, and battles. However, this sprawling storyline also brings its share of challenges—chief among them being how it impacts the series’ power scaling.

In a story where combat prowess is a central theme, the complexity of the Culling Game exacerbates the already intricate power system, leaving fans questioning the logic behind many battles and outcomes. Yet, that does not make it grey in its entirety, but at the same time, the narrative steps taken, while creative and unique, might not be enough to justify the sequence of shenanigans in what’s called the final arc of JJK.

kenjaku-and-sukuna-from-jujutsu-kaisen

Related


Jujutsu Kaisen: Why There Needs To Be A Heian Era Spinoff

To answer many of the series’ unanswered and burning questions, Jujutsu Kaisen needs a spinoff set during the Heian Era.

A Battle Royale of Inconsistent Standards

What’s the Start, and What’s the End?

The Culling Game operates under a chaotic, battle-royale format where modern and reincarnated sorcerers clash for survival. While this setup offers fertile ground for high-stakes encounters, it also results in wildly fluctuating standards of strength.

The inclusion of reincarnated Heian-era sorcerers creates a massive power disparity:

Character Era Special Ability Significance
Ryu Ishigori Heian-era Unparalleled cursed energy output Creates a massive power disparity with his strength
Takako Uro Heian-era Intricate Sky Manipulation technique Portrayed as a titanic figure due to her abilities

Yet their battles often end in ways that downplay their established power levels. For instance, Ishigori, who boasts devastating energy beams, ultimately meets defeat in a seemingly straightforward clash against Yuta Okkotsu—a character whose versatility can feel at odds with how the series establishes limits.

My scars are a reminder of how far I’ve come.

This inconsistency extends to modern sorcerers like Hiromi Higuruma, whose domain, Deadly Sentencing, stands out for its unique, non-lethal mechanics. While his trial-based power offers a refreshing narrative twist, its strict rules contrast sharply with the freeform violence of other domains, leaving fans wondering how such techniques fit within the broader hierarchy.

Cursed Techniques and Their Implementations

From Ingenious to Overpowered

One of the most contentious elements of Jujutsu Kaisen’s power scaling is the nature of cursed techniques, which vary from genius-level innovations to borderline absurdity. Characters introduced during the Culling Game are prime examples of this disparity:

  1. Hiromi Higuruma: His domain expansion is refreshing, emphasizing logic over brute force. Yet, its reliance on rules and evidence can feel situational compared to the raw destructive capabilities of someone like Sukuna or Gojo. This highlights the inconsistency in how battles are framed and resolved.
  2. Fumihiko Takaba: Takaba’s comedic curse technique, which turns his jokes into reality, straddles the line between brilliance and gimmick. While entertaining, it leaves power-scaling enthusiasts scratching their heads. Can a character whose abilities hinge on subjective humor truly rival figures like Gojo or Sukuna in a meaningful way?
  3. Kenjaku’s Role: Kenjaku’s machinations to modify participants’ brains and grant them cursed energy further blur the lines of power. This mechanic shortcuts traditional training arcs and raises questions about the legitimacy of these “artificial” sorcerers compared to those who honed their abilities naturally.

Domain Expansions and Their Narrative Weight

Where it Starts Going into Uncharted Territory

sukuna in epilogue jujutsu kaisen jjk-1

Domains are the pinnacle of cursed techniques, representing a sorcerer’s absolute mastery over their power. The Culling Game introduces multiple new domains, but their portrayal often raises more questions than answers.

Love Is The Most Twisted Curse Of All

Higuruma’s Deadly Sentencing, for example, offers a refreshing departure from the usual “sure-kill” factor, replacing it with a courtroom trial. Yet, this novelty contrasts with the more straightforward and lethal domains seen earlier in the series.

Moreover, the arc does little to explain how these domains interact, such as in cases of overlapping expansions, leaving fans to speculate on outcomes that the narrative fails to clarify.

Pacing Issues and Overcrowded Roster

The Dichotomy Between Strong and Weak

sukuna and uraume epilogue jujutsu kaisen jjk-1

Another major issue that compounds the power-scaling confusion is the sheer number of new characters introduced during the Culling Game. With dozens of participants, including historical figures brought back to life, the arc struggles to give each character the depth and context needed to fully understand their abilities.

For instance, while characters like Reggie Star and Uro are given brief moments to shine, their abilities are often overshadowed by the next fight. The constant barrage of battles makes it difficult for readers to gauge how these figures measure up against existing characters like Yuji, Yuta, or Megumi.

Jujutsu Kaisen jjk The Fate Of Gojo Satoru At The End

Related


Jujutsu Kaisen: The Fate Of Gojo Satoru At The End, Explained

Gojo died early on in the Shinjuku Showdown arc of JJK. His ending was a huge let down to fans.

The Role of Emotions and Variability

It All Stops Making Sense

ozawa jujutsu kaisen jjk epilogue-1

One of the core themes of Jujutsu Kaisen’s power system is the influence of emotions. Characters can push beyond their limits through sheer resolve, as seen with Yuji and Maki, or succumb to despair, diminishing their abilities. While this adds depth to the battles, it also introduces an element of unpredictability that makes consistent power scaling nearly impossible.

This variability is most evident in the battle between Yuta and Ishigori. Despite Ishigori’s overwhelming cursed energy output, Yuta’s resourcefulness and emotional drive allow him to triumph. While this aligns with the series’ thematic focus on human determination, it also undercuts the established metrics of power.

A Double-Edged Sword

What Needs To Be Changed

Jujutsu Kaisen JJK Gege Reveals Two Couples In New Chapter-1

The Culling Game arc expands the universe of Jujutsu Kaisen, introducing fascinating characters, techniques, and stakes. However, this ambition comes at a cost: the power scaling becomes murky, with characters’ abilities often feeling at odds with their narrative weight. The result is an arc that prioritizes spectacle over consistency, leaving fans divided over its execution.

To reconcile these issues, future arcs (none at the moment.)—or even adaptations—might benefit from more focused storytelling, ensuring that battles not only dazzle but also align with the series’ foundational rules. Until then, the Culling Game remains a testament to both the strengths and flaws of Jujutsu Kaisen’s world-building.

Source link