In recent episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, fans were devastated by the deaths of Kento Nanami and Nobara Kugisaki, two beloved characters in the series. While many felt that Nanami's departure was well-done, the same cannot be said for Nobara's demise in episode 19. Nobara met a tragic end at the hands of Mahito, who took advantage of her vulnerability and inflicted a fatal blow to her face, seemingly leading to her demise.
Exploring the reason behind fans' disdain for Nobara's death in Jujutsu Kaisen
As each episode passed, fans grew increasingly certain of Kento Nanami's impending death. The 9-5 sorcerer sustained serious injuries in his battles against Dagon and Jogo, and despite fighting to the brink of death and defeating a horde of transfigured humans, he ultimately succumbed to Mahito's Idle Transfiguration right before Yuji Itadori's eyes. In his final moments, Nanami envisioned the life he longed for, expressing his desire to settle in Kuantan, Malaysia. His death was a highly emotional and pivotal moment in the series, but fans were mostly content with the way his story concluded.
According to fans, Nanami's character received a perfect sendoff, seeming to die with no regrets. His death also played a crucial role in Itadori's character development, as the loss of a mentor typically has a significant impact on a character.
Nobara Kugisaki as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2(image via MAPPA)
In the latest episode, another major character, Nobara Kugisaki, bid farewell to the series after being killed by Mahito. Her death was deeply emotional and left many fans in tears, but was not considered as impactful as Nanami's departure.
Many people believe that Nobara's death was purely for shock value and added little to the overall story. They argue that as a first-year student at Jujutsu High, she still had a lot of potential and was not as skilled in battle as her companions.
Although a key character in the series, her development was unfortunately lacking. Fans believe that her potential was wasted with the untimely demise during the Shibuya Incident. There's no doubt that viewers would have cherished witnessing her character evolve and flourish throughout the show.
Fans argue that Gege Akutami, the mangaka of Jujutsu Kaisen, seemingly killed off Nobara purely to further develop Itadori's character. This move has been widely criticized as unnecessary, as Itadori had already undergone significant challenges. The decision to eliminate one of the main characters before she could have any defining moments or battles was met with strong disapproval from fans.
Final thoughts
The demise of Nobara in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 demonstrated a significant fact: anyone in the series, whether a minor character or one of the main characters, may face death. Despite speculations about her potential return in the manga over the years, it currently appears unlikely.
It's safe to say that even though the decision to kill Nobara may not have been right, her final moments resonated with every viewer and left an indelible mark on the series.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I feel deeply saddened by the controversial demise of Nobara Kugisaki in Jujutsu Kaisen. Her death was sudden and shocking, and it left many fans feeling angry and frustrated. I believe that her death was unnecessary and that it did not serve the story in any meaningful way.
Nobara was a strong and talented character with a lot of potential. She was a fan favorite, and her death has left a big hole in the series. I think that Gege Akutami, the mangaka of Jujutsu Kaisen, made a mistake in killing her off. I hope that he will reconsider his decision and bring her back in the future.