Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 5: Kyoto Sister-School Goodwill Event

呪術廻戦 [Jujutsu Kaisen] #5

by Gege Akutami

Everyone’s surprised (and not necessarily in a good way) when they find out Itadori is still alive, but there’s no time for a heartwarming reunion when Jujutsu High is in the midst of an intense competition with their rivals from Kyoto! But good sportsmanship doesn’t seem to be in the cards once the authorities decide to eliminate the Sukuna threat once and for all...

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Horror, Graphic Novels, Comics, Shonen, Supernatural

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2019

About the author

Gege Akutami 芥見下々 is a Japanese manga author, known for their work Jujutsu Kaisen.

The author does not show their face in public, and their gender is not disclosed.
They previously worked as assistant to mangaka Yasuhiro Kanō.

List of works (including one-shots not published indipendently yet):
2014:
Kamishiro Sōsa (神代捜査) on Shōnen Jump NEXT!! vol. 2 [debut work]
2015:
No.9 on Weekly Shōnen Jump 46-2015
2016:
Nikai Bongai Barabarujura (二界梵骸バラバルジュラ) on Weekly Shōnen Jump 44-2016
2017:
Tōkyō toritsu jujutsu kōtō senmon gakkō (東京都立呪術高等専門学校) serialized on Jump GIGA (volume 1 to 4)
from 2018:
Jujutsu Kaisen (呪術廻戦) on Weekly Shōnen Jump

Reviews

[Charmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAGAAHHAA those fight scenes 😏😏

[Melanie (meltotheany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

➛ vol. 1 ★★★★
➛ vol. 2 ★★★
➛ vol. 3 ★★★
➛ vol. 4 ★★★

“Promise me.. That you won’t leave me behind.”

this summer, i watched all of season 1 with my brother in michigan, and i knew once i picked up a new volume it was about to hit differently. and… here we are. this volume really focuses on the characters, and getting to know them better, while they all kind of fight each other duel style, but i just adored it.

obviously, i love our main characters from the previous volumes, but i fell so in love with todo (and i know all the kpop girls would, too), momo was always going to make me feel a bit seen, and i can’t even talk about mai and maki without weeping while typing this. i just love them all so much! and this goodwill event really will make you fall in love with them too!

trigger + content warnings: fighting / battle, violence, gore, talk of misogyny / sexism

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[Alexandra Elend Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Do we think with our stomachs? Does anger comes up from your head? Listen Itadori. We exist in the world with our whole body and soul. It’s so obvious that everyone forgets it.”

I was not expecting how emotional and deep, in between the jokes, this volume was gonna be.

Going from the more existentialistic questions to the morality of one's acts and where we ascribe blame was a fun twist and change in pace, especially because with all these colorful characters we can get some nice opinions going around.

Add to that the fun that the whole Sister Schools Goodwill Exchange with all the cool opportunities to get to know the powers of the characters, and really just the characters in general, and we have a really fast-paced, action-packed, and emotion-laced volume. The fact that we literally get to know Kyoto's students just made everything more fun.

“Even if a girl has skills, if she’s not cute, she’s looked down upon. Of course, if she’s only cute with no skills, it’s the same. Understand? Women Jujutsu sorcerers aren’t expected to be skilled. They’re expected to be perfect.”

Getting a chance to explore more profoundly the nuances and power-balances/games of the Jujutsu world was an interesting process and idea. Though I don't think we have gotten all the information just yet.

It is an ancient world that feels ancient.

As in many urban fantasies, it is not difficult to see where that distance between the normal world and the magical world - or cursed world, as the case may be - has also created a more narrow-minded and elitist society. Power and the knowledge that you are capable of doing something that helps the rest of humanity that only a few can do, well, it usually begets these kinds of situations.

Still, as much as it's messed up it is always fun to get to navigate them and see how you can trick or overcome the system.

The fact that it makes the world feel more fleshed out, bigger, and filled with even more possibilities is a really nice addition that I appreciate. I'm sure there is a lot of history that we'll get slowly through the future volumes.

“Boys versus girls?! Give me a break! Keep your mouth shut! I love the me that dresses up and looks beautiful! I love the me that’s strong! I’m… Kugisaki Nobara!!”

All the new cast is fun and unique, sure, but I can't help but think that they are also direct opposites, or better, direct up-side-down reflections, of the characters we had already gotten to known and love. Which was more than a little bizarre to see at times.

They may have their own stories and motivations, it would be really boring otherwise, but they also have opposing/conflicting views that challenge our main - I think the others may play more of a supportive role - cast to express, think or change their own mentalities. At the same time, it provides a way to effectively get to know them all better.

Nobara, whom I had already liked, Just stole the scene and the volume with her bold proclamation. Made all the more credible by the fact she was in the middle of a fight when she said it.

Really, all of them were fun and I don't mind their similarities, as long as they remain that, similarities and not carbon copies of each other.

“You seem like you went through a lot of suffering. But suffering doesn’t really make you right. Or rather, I’m not even your enemy. Why are you a sorcerer? Because you have nothing else? Not that it matters. If you have something that you want to do. I can help you.”

I did not, however, appreciate the way the volume ended. That cliffhanger was uncalled for and all the action and mystery were about to happen.

The whole "getting stronger and nor losing" arc seems very interesting and cool but it also gives me anxiety because it just seems to spell heartbreak and misery in the future. And not a so distant future at that either.

Above all else, it was genuinely fun and it made the plot overall advance a bit more, something I like despite retracting focus from the characters I love a bit too much.

“Shut up! So the misfortunate are to be forgiven no matter what they do? And if someone leads a fortunate life, they deserve to be ridiculed? It doesn’t matter how she was brought up… I don’t like her.”

__________________

What an ominous place to end the volume...

... I love it!

RTC.
__________________

I am so excited about this volume!

It looks very promising and, better yet, I'm sure I'm gonna have a great time with these characters I love. Especially, because they are finally together again and I won't have to miss half of my babies all the time. That was a very torturous wait.

That being said, I'm also apprehensive about the stated plans for the very near future and how everything will pan out.

[skylar ₊˚⊹♡ [busy] · Rating 5 out of 5]

___ ★₊˚﹟ 𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 🫐

(warning: extreme bias is going on here, i WILL rate every volume 5 stars and i WILL praise every line i don’t care)
↑ do not trust me. ALSO I’VE SEEN THE ANIME BTW.

WHAT CAN I SAY??? EVERY VOLUME HITS. every new addition is so great and learning about all those cursed techniques and abilities like ok!!! gege akutami working overtime for this ✊ also i absolutely love todo and how he immediately adopted itadori because of his type. he’s so silly. 🤭

seeing itadori as a an object because he’s sukuna’s vessel makes me want to jump GHSGEHRHRGGRGGR. what nobara said!! ”have any of you ever stopped to consider the person behind the curse you’ve condemned?” itadori is so nice and sweet, he completely makes this story and i will not take any slander. i love how panda described him too!! 🫶

ALSO OFC I LOVE NOBARAAAA. she absolutely ate in this volume. i like how gege still made her somewhat girly but also strong and capable. he didn’t take away her feminine qualities to make her seem tough, but he also didn’t take away her power to make her more feminine. i loveeeee it !!! “i love dressing up and looking beautiful! i love being strong! i’m nobara kugisaki!” but the scene with her and nishimya…stfu. why are you telling nobara, a FEMALE JUJUTSU SORCERER how hard it is for…female jujutsu sorcerers…yeah i think we know. and turning mai into a sob story?? not cute. maki went through that but even worse, and yet she’s kinder and (imo) stronger. but i mean the thing with maki promising she’ll never leave her and then leaving and mai calling her a liar…that kinda hit ngl. JUST THAT THOUGH I SWEAR.

anywayyy love the volume ofc ofc. 💗

[Lia Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

UNO DOS ULTRAVIOLENTO, UNO DOS ULTRAVIOLENTO, Y AHORA QUE PASARAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA EY EY

[rain]

i can only say one thing: WOMEN--

[Rereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, I LOVE these characters! Kugisaki got the chance to shine really fucking hard and I fucking LOVED seeing her shoot down Momo's preachy bullshit. Not that I'm saying the Jujutsu world isn't misogynistic (I would honestly die of shock if they weren't) but that Kugisaki wasn't going to feed into that. She's gonna do what she does, be who she is, and not let misogyny bring her down. I was sad to see her eliminated, but seeing Maki kick Mai's ass up and down the forest was SO FUCKING SATISFYING.

And Panda was so FUCKING COOL! I loved learning more about him and seeing him beat the shit out of Mechamaru, yet bond with him and offer support. It reminds me a bit of Demon Slayer and that's always a good thing! Speaking of fights, the fight scenes were fun, fast-paced, and enjoyable to read. It was great getting to learn more about the Kyoto kids' cursed techniques and seeing them duke it out with our Tokyo babies. On a completely different note, Todo's a weirdo but I enjoyed watching him teach Yuji more about cursed energy in that "I want you to get stronger because I want you to succeed and challenge me" way. I'm curious to see whether a friendship blooms from this or not, but either way it was entertaining.

Had a blast reading this volume, loving the series, and I'm hoping Inukami will get to shine next volume! Can't wait!

[Lauren Lanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been several months since I read the last jjk volume, which is probably why I didn't care much for some of the side characters fighting in the Kyoto Goodwill Event. Luckily, this volume also happened to be the source of a lot of character backstory, so it feels like I'm already back up to speed! Can't wait for more of my favs Itadori and Megumi!!

[naz · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh snap it’s getting good & NOBARAAAAAAAAAAA I LOVE HERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[oscar⭒ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad I've read this as I've enjoyed way more the manga than the episodes

[r ꨄ︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

the liking tall women to bisexuality pipeline…

itadori yuji you are me

[b. ♡]

*clenches fist* WOMEN

[cyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old times when Gege Akutami didn't find pleasure in inflicting emotional abuse on his readers.

[Jose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes. Nobara my queen. And Panda was so good with his cores! An then Maki!

[Alec Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

esse arco do torneio tá meio chato, mas sinto q já tô no fim. d qqr forma, gostoso d+ d ler ❤️

[Mizuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Jujutsu Kaisen vol. 0: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for Jujutsu Kaisen -Fans' Gudiebook- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for vol. 7: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read the whole volume in the library in one go!

(1) Kohei Horikoshi sensei, creator of the My Hero Academia series, drew an artwork for Jujutsu Kaisen vol.5! But OMG Horikoshi’s version of Gojo sensei actually looks like All For One, for some reason! Megumi, for some reason, his expression looks just like Katsuki Bakugo but with black hair! Nobara actually looks a bit like Ochaco! Yuuji looks a little bit like Shouto, for some reason! LOL

(2) It's enjoyable to see Nobara bossing Yuuji and Co. around for Maki's sake!

(3) I am quite impressed by the group battle scenes and the duel scenes as well!

Yuuji v.s. Todo yeah!

Maki v.s Mai yeah!

Momo v.s. Nobara yeah!

Panda is awesome as well and he is super strong!

(4) Plus I noticed Momo actually looks just like this arrogant blonde young witch from Kiki's Delivery Service (by Hayao Miyazaki, 1989)!

(5) I like Mei Mei and her short interaction with Gojo sensei! Plus I remember reading from somewhere about how putting your long hair to the front to cover your face is also a kind of witchcraft in Japan (usually performed by females, I supposed?) as well!

(6) I really like how the author described the female characters and the different relationships among them. It's so refreshing!

(7) Gege Akutami mentioned after they read Kohei Horikoshi's manga, they started trying to figure out how to make their own creation more 'Shonen Jump!'-like, I figure they figured it out by introducing the 'two boys one girl' formula into his creation. (that's just a joke, don't take it too seriously!) XD

(8) I also like Nobara's attitude and Momo's protectiveness toward Mai!!! The female characters are performing so well in this volume!

[myo ⋆｡˚ ❀ * · Rating 4 out of 5]

continuation of an arc i don’t care too much for

[Victor The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rival jujutsu competition continues and Itadori sorta makes a friend in his opponent who has the mind of a hopeless romantic. We also get to see a panda go full gorilla on a living corpse and see who succeeds in the competition, as well as some new faces. A (100%/Outstanding)

[Niko(Armand’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

JAHAHDHEHEJSJDJJDJDJEJEJ

SPECIAL THANKS TO GEGE FOR MAKI OH MY GOD THE WORLD CAN NEVER REPAY YOU FOR HER CHARACTER DESIGN

I LOVE KOKICHI MUTA

ALSO, THE ITAFUSHI MOMENTS????!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAH

TODO IS SO SILLY <333

[Manvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todo and Itadori's friendship is hilarious. They're goofier than Gojo + Itadori even LMAO.

[Sima ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

what?!! Gojo is 190cm tall? Dazai where are you boy?!!

[thecursed_Reader&#x1f4ab;&#x1f4d6;&#x1f4da; · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite volume but miwa, the useless made me laugh.

[sarah سارة ꫂ᭪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

in case you haven't noticed, every single one of these books will be given five stars. no matter what.
also this volume cleared up so much from the show and was honestly way better than the episodes (i know i'm shocked too)

[Arturia Pendragon&#x1f4da; · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amerita un 3.5💫

[Марија Николовска]

Loving it. 🥰🥰

[Lucy Tonks (the invisible life of a reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Sarah|ساره&#x1f349; · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fight scenes are soo good!!

[— sab · Rating 2 out of 5]

my bestie got a bestie 🤸🏽✨

[Fer Angeles · Rating 4 out of 5]

este me gustó más pero lo raro es que en el anime me gustó más el inicio que la parte del evento con kioto

[Luvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chef kiss a los arcos de sport festival en los shonen 🙌🏽