Jujutsu Kaisen anime amplifies the emotional impact of major deaths compared to the manga

The emotional impact of a fan-favorite character's death is heightened in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime compared to the manga. Throughout Season 2, the anime consistently enhances important scenes, such as the Hidden Inventory/Premature Death arc and the Shibuya Incident arc, by adding additional details that enhance the overall storytelling.

This week's episode highlights the heartbreaking demise of Kento Nanami, which was portrayed in a poignant and visually stunning manner. The serene beach scene depicting Nanami's carefree moments was an original addition not found in the manga.

Shota Goshozono, the director and storyboard artist for Season 2 Episode 18, masterfully reimagined Nanami's death with utmost beauty and emotion. Here's how Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 delivers a more emotionally impactful portrayal of Nanami's death compared to the manga.

The beautiful juxtaposition between dream and reality

Crunchyroll

The beach scene is not depicted in the manga. In Chapter 120, Nanami reflects on his life in Malaysia, but the manga only shows a few panels of a beach without further detail. However, the anime shows Nanami smiling and living his ideal life in Malaysia. He is finally carefree, but this turns out to be only a pleasant dream.

Nanami’s struggle, aspirations, and demise all unfold in less than half a chapter. Readers are barely given the opportunity to process the unexpected turn of events. In this way, the Jujutsu Kaisen anime elevates one of the most lackluster manga deaths into a masterpiece.

The scene seems endless, with seamless shifts between dreams and reality. Even though it’s a long scene, you don’t want it to end because you’re eager to see what happens next. The contrast serves as a stark reminder of the grim fate that awaits Nanami. He battles numerous transformed humans, enduring hits and falls, yet always rising despite his severe wounds.

Throughout it all, a tranquil piano melody plays, complemented by the mesmeric voice of Kenjiro Tsuda. Tsuda is truly a treasure, his voice possessing profound depth and versatility. In one episode, Nanami’s unrestrained rage is witnessed, while in others, his voice is serene and entrancing. Nanami faces his fate without fear or anxiety, having fully embraced it.

Yu Haibara’s scene in Jujutsu Kaisen anime is also different from the manga

The scene in Crunchyroll portrays a significant attention to detail. In the manga, Yu Haibara's face is not revealed as Nanami reflects on his departed friend. Only Haibara's back profile is shown. However, the anime depicts Nanami envisioning Haibara on the brink of death. At first, Haibara's appearance is dark and obscured, but gradually becomes clearer, emphasizing the nuanced complexity of the character's emotions.

The story is told from Nanami's perspective, with Haibara initially appearing blurry in his memory after over 12 years since her death. As Nanami's recollection becomes clearer, Haibara's face becomes more distinct and vibrant.

Haibara directs Nanami's attention to Yuji, who appears small and frightened as he watches Nanami on the brink of death. Nanami is aware of the impact his suffering will have on Yuji, and he chooses not to expose the child to his agony. Instead, Nanami smiles and entrusts Yuji with the future of the Jujutsu world, leaving him with the words, "You've got it from here."

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Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of the Jujutsu Kaisen series, I must say that the anime adaptation has truly elevated the emotional impact of major character deaths compared to the manga. One such instance is the heartbreaking demise of Kento Nanami, which was portrayed in a poignant and visually stunning manner in the anime. The serene beach scene depicting Nanami's carefree moments, an original addition not found in the manga, added depth to his character and made his death even more devastating.

The anime's ability to seamlessly shift between dreams and reality in this scene was particularly effective in conveying the contrast between Nanami's aspirations and his grim fate. The tranquil piano melody and Kenjiro Tsuda's masterful voice acting further enhanced the emotional weight of the scene, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. The anime also paid close attention to detail, such as revealing Yu Haibara's face as Nanami reflects on his departed friend, adding nuance to their relationship. Overall, the Jujutsu Kaisen anime has done an exceptional job in amplifying the emotional impact of major deaths, surpassing the manga's portrayal and creating a truly unforgettable viewing experience.