Introduction to the Shibuya Incident
The Shibuya Incident stands as the most transformative and devastating arc in Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK). Orchestrated by the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku, this massive terrorist attack was designed with a single, terrifying goal: to remove the "strongest sorcerer," Satoru Gojo, from the board. On October 31st, a veil was cast over Shibuya, trapping thousands of civilians and forcing jujutsu sorcerers into a high-stakes battle against disaster-grade curses and curse users. While the scale of the destruction was immense, the true climax of the Shibuya Incident was not a battle of strength, but a masterstroke of psychological manipulation and ancient jujutsu.
The Strategic Importance of Sealing Satoru Gojo
In the world of JJK, Satoru Gojo is more than just a powerful individual; he is a force of nature that maintains the global balance of power. As long as Gojo is active, the plans of curses and rogue sorcerers are effectively neutralized. Kenjaku understood that killing Gojo was an impossibility due to the Limitless technique and the Six Eyes. Therefore, the only viable path forward for his "Culling Game" and the evolution of humanity was to ensure Gojo was sealed. By removing the ultimate deterrent, Kenjaku could plunge the world into a new golden age of jujutsu, characterized by chaos and the unchecked manifestation of cursed energy.
Understanding the Prison Realm in JJK
The key to Kenjaku's success was an S-grade cursed object known as the Prison Realm JJK. This "living barrier" is the remains of a monk named Genshin and possesses the ultimate power of sealing. The Prison Realm is unique because it can contain anything, regardless of power level, provided certain conditions are met. Once a target is inside, they are kept in a state of stasis where time does not flow, and they cannot use cursed energy. However, the Prison Realm has strict activation requirements: the target must remain within a four-meter radius of the object for one minute of "internal time." For a sorcerer as fast as Gojo, this condition seemed impossible to meet through physical force alone.
Kenjaku’s Master Plan and Preparation
Kenjaku’s brilliance lay in his preparation. He spent years inhabiting the body of Suguru Geto, Gojo’s former best friend and the only person Gojo ever truly loved. This was the linchpin of the plan. Kenjaku utilized the disaster curses—Jogo, Hanami, and Mahito—to wear Gojo down and force him into a crowded subway station. By surrounding Gojo with thousands of non-sorcerers, Kenjaku limited Gojo's ability to use his more destructive techniques, like Hollow Purple or a full-scale Unlimited Void. Every move was calculated to bring Gojo to a specific spot at a specific time, exhausted and mentally taxed.
The Moment Gojo was Sealed
The moment Gojo was sealed is one of the most shocking scenes in JJK. After Gojo defeated the disaster curses in the subway, Kenjaku revealed the Prison Realm. To fulfill the "one minute" requirement, Kenjaku appeared before Gojo using Geto’s body. The sight of his deceased best friend caused Gojo's Six Eyes to process a flood of memories—three years of their shared youth—within a single instant. This "one minute of internal time" passed in Gojo's mind while he stood frozen in shock. The Prison Realm recognized the condition was met and instantly bound Satoru Gojo. Despite his immense power, Gojo was trapped by the emotional weight of his past, proving that even the strongest sorcerer has a human heart.
Impact of Gojo's Absence on the Jujutsu World
The aftermath of the Shibuya Incident was immediate and catastrophic. With Gojo sealed, the "Gojo era" of stability ended abruptly. The following consequences shifted the series' trajectory:
- Loss of the Ultimate Deterrent: Cursed spirits and curse users across the globe began acting without fear of retribution.
- The Culling Game: Kenjaku was free to initiate his master plan, forcing sorcerers into a deadly tournament.
- Political Instability: The Jujutsu Headquarters, free from Gojo's influence, took the opportunity to label Gojo an accomplice and sentence his allies to death.
- Shibuya’s Ruin: Much of Tokyo became a wasteland, overrun by the millions of curses Kenjaku released.
Conclusion
Kenjaku's plan to seal Satoru Gojo was a masterclass in strategy, leveraging the Prison Realm JJK and the tragic history of Suguru Geto to achieve the impossible. The Shibuya Incident remains a pivotal moment because it stripped the protagonists of their greatest protector, forcing characters like Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro to grow in a world without safety nets. While Gojo sealed was the victory Kenjaku needed, it also set the stage for the final, most brutal era of jujutsu history. Understanding how Kenjaku sealed Satoru Gojo is essential to grasping the high stakes and emotional depth that define the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
