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Episode 18 – “Sage”

After the last episode, Jujutsu Kaisen episode 18 had a lot to live up to. I didn’t. It not a problem, however. Megumi runs through the temple, evading arrows embedded with cursed energy. He has no trouble avoiding them. Megumi breaks one arrow, resulting in blood splattering on the wall. Noritoshi Kamo uses the Blood Manipulation. An inherited technique in the Kamo family, the technique “grants Noritoshi the ability to control all aspects of his blood.” Jujutsu Kaisen has made a point of highlighting the “Three families.” These families hold prestige in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. Megumi Fushiguro is a member of the Zenin family, but it’s not clear what his exact relationship is to Maki and Mai. Like Kamo, he’s inherited a valued technique from the Zenin family, the Ten Shadow Technique. This ability allows him to summon ten different shikigami using shadows.

Noritoshi Kamo uses his Flowing Red Scale technique. He can increase his “body temperature, pulse rate, and the number of red blood cells to give themselves increased energy and physical abilities.” His speed and strength increases. He’s able to dominate Megumi but doesn’t do too much direct damage. Elsewhere, Toge unlocks Mechamaru’s phone and uses it to call Kasumi and tell her to “sleep.” Suddenly, he notices a dark presence. In the observing room, Principal Gakuganji remembers assigning a cursed spirit intended to kill Yuji. That curse spirit is killed by Hanami. Mahito and the other curses have interrupted the Goodwill Event.

The Goodwill Event is invaded

Back at the fight between Noritoshi and Megumi, Noritoshi remembers his childhood. His mother was his fathers, making him an illegitimate heir. The Kamo family valued Noritoshi’s blood manipulation, so they made him legitimate. He tries to relate to Megumi. Noritoshi rejects this familiarity. Unlike Noritoshi, he doesn’t seem to want anything to do with the three clans. Using a toad to distract Noritoshi, Megumi uses his latest shikigami, Max Elephant. The elephant fills the corridor with water, forcing Noritoshi outside. With Noritoshi vulnerable, Megumi uses Nue to electrocute him. Remembering his mother, Noritoshi is determined to win. He uses Crimson Binding on Nue. Preparing to fight, a mass of branches approach them. Toge is being chased by them and he orders Megumi and Noritoshi to run.”

The wall of talismans burn red, symbolising the end of Goodwill event. Realizing that “unregistered curses” has invaded, Yaga leaves Gojo and Gakuganji to protect the students. A special “curtain” is created that keeps Gojo out. This leaves Gakuganji and Utahime to face Juzo. The old man takes out a guitar and dares Juzo to try him. I gotta say, Gakuganji using a guitar comes out of nowhere. Obviously, we don’t know what his technique is, but he seemed too serious to have a potentially fun set of abilities. Historically, the old man in anime is a badass. I don’t expect Gakuganji to be any different. The students encounter Hanami. Toge uses his cursed speech to paralyze Hanami, who communicates with the students telepathically. Hanami claims to only want “to protect the planet and asks the sorcerers to die and become sages.”