Foolish Survivor —Laughing It Up— (バカサバイバー！！〜さんざめけ〜 Baka Sabaibā!! ~Sanzameke~ ?) is the two hundred and forty-third chapter of Gege Akutami's Jujutsu Kaisen.
Summary[]
The battle in the Lake Gosho Colony takes an entertaining turn. Takaba and Kenjaku take the stage as a powerhouse comedy duo. However, all great performances must come to an end.
Plot Details[]
Kenjaku introduces their comedy duo as "Pinchan".
Inside an imaginary scenario created by Takaba's technique, Comedian, he and Kenjaku walk on stage to begin their routine as a comedy duo. After greeting the audience and briefly bantering, Kenjaku introduces them as Pinchan (ピンチャン Pinchan?). They start their performance when Takaba asks if Kenjaku knows the tale of Momotarō, to which the latter responds that he doesn't. Takaba doubts that claim, as all parents tell that story to their children. Kenjaku tearfully reveals that he was raised by a single mother who was always busy. After Takaba apologizes for his insensitivity, Kenjaku reveals that his mother loved him nonetheless and always read him stories, such as Momotarō. Angry, Takaba asks him why he lied earlier, to which he reveals that he always wanted attention due to his busy mother.
Takaba calls out Kenjaku for his harsh mood, citing him clicking his tongue earlier during their banter, which Kenjaku denies happening after clicking his tongue again. Kenjaku argues with Takaba, asking him what his problem is. Takaba claims he is mood-sensitive, so he tried defusing the tension by retelling old stories. Kenjaku responds by saying he is too dumb to understand that and asks if Takaba would prefer a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant for friends instead. When Takaba explains that he was using pillow words and didn't mean it literally, Kenjaku repeats his statement that he is too dumb to understand literary conventions. Kenjaku wonders if Momotarō was born from the old couple after they ate the magic peach and were rejuvenated, rather than being born from the peach itself. Takaba is surprised by the vulgar theory but agrees that it is plausible.
Takaba realizing the performance must come to an end.
The duo perform a skit, with Kenjaku acting as Momotarō and Takaba as his grandmother. Kenjaku bids Takaba farewell as he leaves to fight demons, but Takaba stops him and tries to give him millet dumplings before he leaves. When Kenjaku refuses due to disliking food made by hand, Takaba angrily demands he take them. Noticing how good the dumplings look, Kenjaku passive-aggressively thanks his "grandmother" for spending a lot of time making them due to living easily on a pension paid for by the younger generation. He expresses his joy for not having to see his "grandmother" anymore and insults her age as he leaves, but not before wishing her longevity. Takaba, initially angered by his insult, immediately forgives him due to his final comment, remarking on the strangeness of the Japanese language.
Kenjaku acts out the scene in the folk tale where Momotarō encounters a dog, noting that it is a Golden Retriever. Takaba asks Kenjaku to change the dog to a Japanese breed, otherwise it would be too jarring for the audience. Kenjaku eats the dumplings, commenting on their deliciousness and how they can win a gold prize. Takaba notes how every fried chicken joint wins that, and it would be surprising to find one that hasn't. Kenjaku asks if it is ok to feed a dog millet dumpling and Takaba replies that it's too late for realism at this point. Believing that the dumplings may have onions, which are poisonous to dogs, Kenjaku decides to go through with it.
Kenjaku acts as if he finds a phone number on the dog's collar and calls its owner. He chats with the owner and reveals that the dog is a Labrador, much to Takaba's chagrin. Finishing the call, Kenjaku says that the owner lives in Nerima, which is a 30-minute walk away, and prepares to return the dog. When Takaba asks about his initial plans to fight demons, Kenjaku decides to call the Demon Island to cancel his reservation. When looking up the location's phone number, he notes how it is rated 2.1 stars on Tabelog.
"You cracked me up!".
Upon hearing he needs to pay a cancellation fee, Kenjaku decides to send the monkey and pheasant to attack the Demon Island. Takaba stops him, advising him that the monkey and pheasant will definitely lose. Kenjaku notes that the pheasant has air supremacy, though Takaba retorts that the pheasant can do nothing in the air but defecate on the demons, leading Kenjaku to exclaim how awesome "poop bombs" are. Kenjaku ponders whether he should return the dog, who he named "John", to its owner or spare the monkey and pheasant's lives. Takaba chimes in that the latter choice is the obvious answer. Kenjaku announces that he is disposing of the pheasant, and when asked why by Takaba, he answers that it is to appease the dog's owner, in the form of a pun.
Abruptly, Kenjaku asks Takaba if something is wrong. Takaba, who realizes that his dream performance is about to end, expresses his wish to continue the performance and begins to cry. Kenjaku tells him not to cry, as it will kill the mood. As Takaba pats his partner on the chest, he says that's enough and the imaginary scenario ends. Back in the forest of the Lake Gosho Colony, Kenjaku looks over Takaba, who is lying on the ground dressed like a corpse. Takaba thanks Kenjaku for performing with him, who in turn commends Takaba for his performance. Kenjaku smiles and tells Takaba he was hilarious on stage.
Yuta ambushes Kenjaku and decapitates him.
Suddenly, Yuta Okkotsu appears behind Kenjaku. The curse user senses an enemy behind him and attempts to activate the Cursed technique reversal of Antigravity System. However, a strange noise causes them to swap places, keeping Yuta behind Kenjaku. Yuta decapitates Kenjaku with a single swing of his katana, leaving the ancient sorcerer confused. He doesn't understand why he didn't notice Yuta's immense cursed energy sooner until he realizes Takaba's scenario wouldn't allow for anyone to interrupt the show.
Kenjaku is still alive despite having his head cut off. He asks if this was the jujutsu sorcerers' plan all along. Yuta confirms and states he had to finish the job because Takaba wouldn't kill anyone. Despite voicing regret for his unfinished business, Kenjaku ominously declares that his "will" shall be inherited.
Character in Order of Appearances[]
Battles & Events[]
- Fumihiko Takaba vs. Kenjaku (Concluded)
Locations[]
- Lake Gosho Colony, Iwate Prefecture
Jujutsu[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author's Comment | |
 |
Gege Akutami |
Last week, my editor went all out to get me the legal permissions. Thank you to everyone involved. | |
Trivia[]
- Continuing the theme from Chapter 239, the chapter's title is a reference to the lyrics of Baka Survivor by Ulfuls, the second opening theme to Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo anime series.
- When talking about the gold prize, Kenjaku and Takaba are referencing the Karaage Grand Prix, an annual competition hosted by the Japan Karaage Association that determines the best karaage (Japanese fried chicken) in the country. The 12th Karaage Grand Prix is notorious for having several gold prize winners, hence Takaba's comment.