Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo chapter 1: From Yuta's death to an Alien invasion - is the spin-off worth the wait

Maru as seen in manga
Maru as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo chapter 1 (Image credit: Shueisha)

Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 1 has finally landed, and with it comes one of the most divisive openings for a Shonen Jump spin-off in recent memory. Following the polarizing conclusion of Gege Akutami’s mainline series, many fans wondered if a continuation could ever live up to the chaos, heartbreak, and raw energy of Jujutsu Kaisen.

Instead of playing it safe with familiar faces or a simple time skip, Modulo launches readers nearly 70 years into the future, introducing an entirely new cast, and perhaps most shockingly, adds aliens into the cursed world we thought we knew. Is this bold direction a sign of inspired storytelling or an unnecessary detour reminiscent of the Boruto-era alien controversy?

Let’s break down the Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 1 from Yuta Okkotsu’s death, the introduction of the Okkotsu siblings, and the alien invasion, and assess whether this spin-off is worth the hype.

Still from the manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Still from the manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

The chapter wastes no time setting the stakes by addressing Yuta Okkotsu’s fate. Once considered the heir to Gojo’s power and one of the strongest sorcerers alive, Yuta’s presence loomed large in the original series. Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 1 confirms what many suspected: Yuta is gone.

This choice is deliberate. By closing the chapter on Yuta, Gege ensures that Modulo is more than just a nostalgic victory lap. Yuta’s death clears the stage for new conflicts while reminding readers that this isn’t a world where heroes survive forever. The sense of loss lingers as a perfect narrative hook for longtime fans.


Aliens in the Jujutsu world: Bold move or fatal mistake?

Aliens are being introduced in manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Aliens are being introduced in manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

The Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 1 shocks readers with the reveal of the Simurians, extraterrestrial beings who seem to understand cursed energy and its ties to humanity. They arrive not as simple invaders but as figures with history, possibly tied to the very origins of Jujutsu itself.

Fan reactions have been fiery. Some argue this twist feels like a repeat of Naruto’s Otsutsuki problem, where supernatural mythology suddenly gave way to alien retcons. Others find it bold and fitting, with theories exploding across forums:

  • Were curses created by alien interference?
  • Was Tengen the first human altered by their arrival?
  • Could Sukuna himself have been a hybrid, explaining his inhuman abilities?

While divisive, the alien reveal undeniably opens doors for expansive worldbuilding. Whether it enhances or undermines the story depends on how it is integrated going forward.


Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo chapter 1: Worldbuilding in flux 70 years after Jujutsu Kaisen

Old Yuta with his grandchild, as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 1 (Image credit: Shueisha)
Old Yuta with his grandchild, as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 1 (Image credit: Shueisha)

One of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo chapter 1's strongest choices is the timeline. By jumping nearly 70 years into the future, Gege avoids the pitfalls that sank Boruto, where the original cast still loomed too large. Instead, this leap allows for a clean break while still letting echoes of the past shape the present. We already see hints of how society has changed:

  • Cursed energy is no longer an exclusively Japanese phenomenon, with alien contact complicating its cultural roots.
  • Political undertones from the original, Japan’s exploitation, and the dark sides of sorcerer society seem poised to return in new forms.
  • Descendants of the original cast may appear, though not as the focus. Hints at Yuji, Hakari, and others spark curiosity, but the spotlight belongs to the new generation.

This balance between old and new is crucial. If Modulo can expand the Jujutsu world while still grounding itself in personal conflicts, it may carve out an identity as more than just a sequel.


Final verdict: Is the spin-off worth the wait?

Yuka and Tsurugi, as seen in the manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Yuka and Tsurugi, as seen in the manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

So, after one chapter, where does Modulo stand? Yes, it was worth the wait:

  • Strengths: A bold time skip, intriguing new characters, striking art, and a willingness to expand the mythos in unexpected ways.
  • Weaknesses: The alien twist risks alienating fans, worldbuilding feels rushed, and some character dynamics rely heavily on readers’ attachment to the original.

Ultimately, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 1 proves one thing: Gege and Iwasaki aren’t interested in playing it safe. For longtime fans, the first chapter is worth the read if only for the thrill of seeing how wild the story may get.

For newcomers, it may not land as strongly without the context of Jujutsu Kaisen, but it still offers a fresh, strange entry point into a world where curses and now aliens collide.

Edited by Nisarga Kakade