After being on the verge of annihilation, Naoya uses Domain Expansion to make a comeback in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 197. Spoilers for Chapter 198 suggest that the current Sakurajima Colony storyline will come to a close when it wraps up the struggle between Maki and Naoya. As the English translation of Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 198 has finally been released, this page summarises and analyses the chapter’s key events. Caveat lector: this article’s contents may contain spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen manga. The author does not claim ownership of any of the included materials.
Everything you need to Know about Chapter 198 of Jujutsu Kaisen
Domain Expansion is a technique used by Naoya
Naoya, a semi-humanoid, uses Domain Expansion in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 198, “Sakurajima Colony Part 8.” While the bottom part of his body retains its cocoon-like appearance, the upper torso returns to its human form, restoring his ability to cast his domain with hand seals. Time Cell Moon Palace, Naoya’s realm, materialises with a large eye in its centre, which, as he reveals later, is also what activates the sure-hit method within the barrier. Something resembling camera film becomes implanted in Daidou’s and Miyo’s necks while they are trapped inside the realm. They both pick up on the embeds but write them off as an accident because nothing seems amiss.
Attack by Daidou and Miyo
Daidou and Miyo simultaneously sprint for Naoya after deciding that now is the ideal moment to strike. However, as soon as they begin to move, wounds emerge all over their body and blood starts to come out of their eyes and nose. Naoya’s realm is based on Projection Sorcery, which is confirmed by the chapter 198 demonstration in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Naoya continues by saying that everyone he touches must mimic his every motion or else they would become immobile for a whole second and that the influence of his domain is amplified to the cellular level. Moving while under the influence of his Cursed Technique inside his territory will disrupt the body’s cellular alignment, leading to serious internal ailments.
In spite of Maki’s obvious proximity, Naoya does not feel her presence
In chapter 198 of Jujutsu Kaisen, we see Miyo finally give in to the consequences of his cellular structure and begin to disintegrate. Naoya acknowledges haughtily that it is a fine domain, and he concedes by falling to the ground. His gaze then switches to Maki, whom he is still unable to feel. During his battle with Noritoshi, Naoya had said that Maki is like Toji in that she hides her existence, therefore his initial reaction to Maki’s departure was a lack of concern.
He can’t detect Maki since she doesn’t emanate cursed energy, but he knows he should at least be able to locate her inside his realm. Naoya warns Daidou not to waste his time fighting while he’s thinking by severing his arm when he attacks. Daidou just chuckles as a pair of hands appear out of the shadows, seize the sword, and stab Naoya in the back.
Mai demonstrates the sword’s ultimate potential to Maki
Barrier methods are ineffective against Maki since, like Toji, she does not have cursed energy, as explained in Chapter 198 of Jujutsu Kaisen. Additionally, the chapter states that only an external barrier, like Megumi’s domain from Tokyo No. 1 Colony, may imprison her within a domain, and that without her assent, no barriers can halt. The scene in Chapter 198 then changes to Maki and Mai holding hands on a beach. Mai reveals to her sister that the sword is infused with her spirit by saying that she let Daidou “handle her” to demonstrate its power.
The chapter text explains in further detail that the blade Mai fashions are a carbon copy of the Split Soul Sword, Toji’s cursed instrument that cost 500,000,000 JPY. If the sword wants to cut someone’s soul, it doesn’t care how hard their armour is. However, the sword can’t be used to its full potential unless the user has such finely tuned senses that they can detect even the presence of a soul within an inorganic substance.
Naoya is murdered by Maki
When Maki stabs Naoya in the chest, he doesn’t die instantly. Naoya spins around to face her, humiliating and taunting her by saying she would die because she couldn’t kill him with a single stroke. Naoya, whose soul has been destroyed, says firmly that Maki can no longer move now that she is inside his domain while reverting to his hideous worm-like shape. Despite Maki’s lack of cursed energy, the domain’s sure-hit technique kills him and destroys his domain by slicing him in half. Daidou and Miyo say they barely escaped with their lives as chapter 198 of Jujutsu Kaisen comes to a close, while Maki exits the chapter with the remnants of the domain’s barrier in her hands and a blade in her hand.
The chapter text screams that Toji’s equal in the demonic realm has returned. In the last episode of Jujutsu Kaisen, Maki’s brutality ultimately wins out over Naoya’s doggedness, putting an end to their long and arduous battle. Naoya’s death likely means the current plot arc will conclude in the upcoming chapter. The manga has now introduced nearly every key character in the narrative, and it is time for the attention to return to Yuji and Megumi, especially since Reggie Star severely damaged Yuji in their most recent battle.