Controversial Allegations Surrounding Nobara's Future in Jujutsu Kaisen Anime

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 has sparked excitement with the Shibuya Incident arc, but recent developments in the anime, including speculation about Nobara's fate, have sparked renewed discussion about how female characters are represented in the series and how the mangaka, Gege Akutami, depicts them. The show has consistently been a topic of conversation in the anime and manga community since season 1, raising the bar for fan expectations. Therefore, the criticisms of how female characters are portrayed in Jujutsu Kaisen call for a closer look and explanation.

Jujutsu Kaisen anime’s episode 17 raises concerns about Nobara’s fate

Gege Akutami, the creative mind behind Jujutsu Kaisen anime, is celebrated for their skillful character development and captivating abilities. However, the narrative frequently takes a disappointing direction for many of the female characters within the series.

The fate of Nobara in episode 17 of season 2 has sparked significant debate and raised valid concerns within the fanbase, with some speculating that "Gege hates women," leading to important discussions.

Nobara vs. Mahito in Jujutsu Kaisen anime (Image via Mappa)

Manga fans are already familiar with the impending fate of several female characters in the series, such as Nobara Kugisaki, Yuki Tsukomo, Yorozu, and Tsumiki Fushiguro. In the latest episode, Nobara confronts one of the series' most reviled antagonists, the special grade curse Mahito.

In an earlier part of the episode, the death of the beloved sorcerer Nanami Kento, at the hands of Mahito, was revealed. This revelation has sparked concern among fans that Nobara Kugisaki, a peer of Yuji and Fushiguro, may meet a similar fate. Her destiny remains uncertain, with her death in the manga left ambiguous. Tragic fates await other female characters as well.

The image above displays Nobara's supposed death in the manga (Image via Akutami Gege/Shueisha).

The sacrifice of the special grade sorcerer, Yuki, against Kenjaku (in Geto’s body), ultimately proved to be in vain. Despite her valiant efforts, Kenjaku emerges unscathed in the aftermath of the battle, as shown in chapter 208.

Megumi’s step-sister, Tsumiki Fushiguro, met her end after her body was taken over by the Heian period sorcerer Yorozu during the culling game. Despite being one of the strongest female characters introduced in the series, Yorozu also met her demise at the hands of the King of Curses, Sukuna.

Yuki and Yorozu's deaths in the manga (Image via Akutami Gege/Shueisha)

Many fans argue that Gege Akutami fails to adequately showcase other potentially powerful female characters, including Shoko Ieiri, Utahime Iori, and Kasumi Miwa. This has led to a significant portion of the fanbase expressing their dissatisfaction with the treatment of female characters in the series, with some even going as far as to accuse Gege of having a bias against women, as seen in comments on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter).

Debates have arisen regarding "Gege hates women" due to Nobara's fate in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime (Screenshots via X). While some fans advocate for more character development and plot focusing on the female characters, others approach the topic with humor, creating jokes and memes within the community. Fans' reactions vary, but the desire for better portrayal of female characters remains consistent.

A portion of the fanbase asserts that Gege highlighted Maki, a female character. Nevertheless, some contend that this was achieved at the expense of Maki forfeiting her femininity, pointing to her updated character design as proof.

Jujutsu Kaisen anime discussions spark memes (Screenshots via X)

Final thoughts

There are also doubts about the amount of time she spent in the spotlight, as some argue that her presence was limited during the fight with Naoya's curse, and she didn't fight alone. Similarly, her encounter with Sukuna also consisted of only a few punches, and since then, Maki's appearances have been minimal and mostly in the background.

The character Nobara, as depicted in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime (Image via Mappa)

Despite the apparent fate of Nobara suggesting her demise, the series has not definitively confirmed her death. This absence of confirmation has generated speculation within the community about a possible dramatic return for her in the near future of the series.

Currently, there is hope that the mangaka will respond to these claims and that the community’s wish for more spotlight on the female characters will be fulfilled.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime, I am deeply concerned about the recent developments surrounding Nobara's future in the series. The speculation that "Gege hates women" is a serious accusation that should not be taken lightly. While I understand that the mangaka, Gege Akutami, has a lot of creative freedom, I believe that it is important to consider the impact that these portrayals have on the audience.

The fact that so many female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen meet tragic fates is a disturbing trend. It sends a message that female characters are disposable and not as important as their male counterparts. This is a harmful message that can have a negative impact on young viewers, especially girls.

I urge Gege Akutami to reconsider how he portrays female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen. I believe that there are many ways to create strong and compelling female characters without resorting to violence or tragedy. I hope that in the future, we will see more female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen who are given the chance to shine and reach their full potential.