Light Novels have a terrible reputation within the mainstream manga community because people feel the light novel content is not canon to the series itself.
I can understand that sentiment due to light novels sometimes not being good adaptations of the source material. However, Jujutsu Kaisen Summer of Ashes, Autumn of Dust is the opposite of that, embodying what Jujutsu Kaisen is while giving us a different view of our characters’ everyday lives.
The light novel covers four chapters, giving perspectives of our main trio and Gojo and even Mahito. What makes this light novel so enjoyable is the slice of life core to it. There isn’t any action per se, but we are given a deeper look into the cast’s emotions and personalities.
My favorite chapter is the one where Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara enjoy their day off at a maid café. It’s nice to get the scenery of them being regular teenagers and understand how they bonded outside their missions.
I think this light novel is also essential for understanding the characters on a deeper level. I loved seeing Gojo bond more with Yuji, mainly because the moment focused on genuine aspects of the source material.
Yuji’s insecurity about living, and his role as a jujutsu sorcerer, are still given importance, but we get to see more of how Gojo handles these conversations. It reminds me of Gojo’s true character and what the young sorcerers mean to him.
Even when we got the chapter with Mahito, I was impressed with the exploration of his character and how certain non-sorcerers acted when they ran into him.
With all the crazy things going on in the current manga, this light novel is the perfect way to release from the stresses of the Culling Games. This light novel is a must-have for any Jujutsu Kaisen fan, especially a collector of manga volumes.
