Examining Gege Akutami's portrayal of female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 244
Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 244 unveils the captivating backstory of sorcerers' preparations against Kenjaku and Sukuna, shedding light on Akutami's portrayal of female characters Discover how Miwa's character progression adds depth to the narrative
In the latest release of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, chapter 244 features a significant focus on the sorcerers' flashback and their plans to confront Kenjaku and Sukuna. While the main focus is on the strategy being developed by Yuji Itadori and Hiromi Higuruma for their upcoming battle, particularly the latter's legal expertise in relation to his Domain Expansion, there are other significant developments, including the beginning of their confrontation with Sukuna.
Moreover, keen-eyed fans noticed a subtle detail in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 244 regarding the character Miwa Kasumi, revealing that she is no longer able to use her katana.
This holds significant importance, not just for Miwa individually, but for the increasing pattern in the series relating to author Gege Akutami's portrayal of female characters.
Note: This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series.
Miwa is another example of nerfed female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen
The most recent installment of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga primarily delved into a flashback. In this flashback, the sorcerers were seen strategizing to confront Kenjaku and Sukuna. Of particular interest was the scenario of Satoru Gojo dying at the hands of Sukuna. The focus was primarily on Higuruma's legal explanations of his Domain Expansion and the execution of it to ensure that Sukuna could receive the death penalty. Amidst this, some fans noticed a small detail related to Miwa Kasumi.
In this chapter, it has been revealed that Miwa is unable to wield her Katana anymore due to a binding vow she made. Despite her minor role, many fans were frustrated by this development. This is a recurring trend in Gege Akutami's series, as many characters have been affected by similar decisions over the years.
Akutami's willingness to eliminate fan-favorite and significant characters like Nanami Kento, Nobara Kugisaki, and Satoru Gojo demonstrates great bravery. However, it can also lead to frustration with certain plot points, as seen in his treatment of the Zen'in clan, the majority of the Kyoto class, and to some extent, Hajime Kashimo.
Akutami's handling of female characters
Some of the most important characters in Jujutsu Kaisen (Image via MAPPA).
The release of the Jujutsu Kaisen series was met with praise for Gege Akutami's creation of diverse and well-developed female characters. Fans appreciated their unique designs, abilities, and motivations. Many also admired that the characters were focused on their personal goals rather than romantic interests.
Despite the initial promise and occasional bright spots, this talented female cast has been a disappointment over the years. Many of them were either sidelined, underused, or had their characters cut short, such as Nobara, Yuki Tsukumo, and Maki after the Zen'in massacre.
Some fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the decision regarding Miwa's character, despite her lack of importance to the plot. This has also been the case for several male characters. However, none of the female cast have been significantly relevant to the plot for quite some time, and Maki may be the last chance for one of these characters to have an impact.
Final thoughts
The disappointment many fans experienced with Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 244 regarding Miwa's character may not be directed at her specifically, but rather at how Akutami has squandered several promising plot elements in the series.
Despite the manga's continued phenomenal success, this is a source of frustration for many.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about Gege Akutami's portrayal of female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 244. On the one hand, I appreciate that Akutami is willing to take risks and kill off fan-favorite characters, regardless of their gender. This creates a sense of unpredictability and keeps the story from becoming stale. On the other hand, I am frustrated by the fact that so many of the female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen have been sidelined or killed off. This is a disappointing trend, and it makes it difficult for me to fully enjoy the series.
I understand that Akutami is trying to create a realistic world where not everyone survives, but I think he could do a better job of balancing the number of male and female characters who are killed off. It would also be nice to see more female characters in positions of power and authority. Overall, I think Akutami has a lot of potential as a storyteller, but he needs to do a better job of representing female characters in Jujutsu Kaisen.
