Is This Yuji’s Death Flag in Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo?

For Jump Festa 2026, Jujutsu Kaisen original creator Gege Akutami drew Modulo Yuji for the first time while Modulo artist Yuji Iwasaki drew Maru with the Okkotsu siblings, Tsurugi and Yuka.

In a lengthy message for Jump Festa 2026, Akutami states:

“Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo began with the short sighted idea of “If I’m doing a spinoff, wouldn’t sorcerers vs aliens be interesting?”

So then what are those aliens like? If I set the currently serialized content as “the peak”, what kind of story should we build within the limited length of a short serialization?

Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo was born from being allowed to use time that would be normally be spent on drawing and through trial and error while confronting modern issues

The anime is finally starting!! Director Goshozono’s direction, production, and sheer ability to ensure top-tier quality are just incredible!!

Of course, it’s not just the director, but the talent and taste of the entire staff across every single stage of production are incredible.

Starting with Iwasaki sensei, Jujutsu Kaisen is supported by many people and you, the readers, are also one of them. I will continue to move forward without ever forgetting my gratitude or my original intentions. Thank you as always! “

As some, like Myamura, have noted, likely as a joke, Akutami drawing Yuji for Jump Festa could be his death flag as the past 4 Jump Festas (2021-2024) had Akutami draw Nobara and Choso, with Nobara being drawn for Jump Festa 2021 (which took place in 2020 when the chapter of Nobara’s fake death took place), and Choso for Jump Festa 2022 and 2024 (a year prior to the chapters showing Choso’s death).

The Jump Festa 2022 illustration even featured Yuki Tsukumo and Tengen, whose roles already ended by January 2023, a full year after the illustrations were even released.

While this could be treated as a death flag, it is also possible Akutami did this to stir hype for the return of the original protagonist to the story, especially with next chapter coming by January 5, 2026 due to the holiday break.

This would also coincidence with the release of Season 3 Part 1, which features the Culling Game, the event that shapes the Modulo sequel and Yuji’s current path as a cursed being.

In the current story of Modulo, Yuji Itadori is an ageless Sorcerer, likely due to his Death Painting heritage and is sought after by Jujutsu Headquarters as a deterrent against Dabura Karaba, the Special Grade leader of the Rumelian immigrants.

Source: Twitter

Last Yuji Art by Gege in JJK
vs
Lastest Yuji Art by Gege In MODULO pic.twitter.com/hYRWjP2YPz

— Myamura (@Go_Jover) December 20, 2025

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