Nanami's Destiny Unveiled in the Jujutsu Kaisen Manga: Is a Return Imminent?

Anime-only fans of Jujutsu Kaisen are now witnessing Nanami Kento's tragic fate in the Shibuya Incident arc, raising questions about whether he will return in the manga. Nanami, a beloved character, faced a heart-wrenching end in Shibuya, prompting fans to hope for his resurrection in the manga. His realistic perspective on the sorcerer's duty and the devastating impact of his demise at the hands of Mahito has left a lasting impact on fans worldwide.

Nanami's fate after the Shibuya Incident arc in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga

Nanami featured in the Shibuya Incident arc (Image courtesy of MAPPA).

Numerous characters in Jujutsu Kaisen endured the hardships of the Shibuya Incident arc, including Nanami Kento. As a sorcerer tasked with confronting Kenjaku and his Curses, Nanami endured a series of exhausting battles that took a toll on his strength, particularly after facing Dagon and being engulfed in flames by Jogo. By the end of the arc, half of Nanami's body was badly burned, and he was barely clinging to life. Tragically, he met his demise at the hands of Mahito, right before the eyes of Yuji Itadori.

Therefore, the question arises: Does Nanami return in the manga? The answer is no. Nanami was brutally torn apart by Mahito in Shibuya, and his body was unable to be reconstruct. It's important to note that Mahito has the ability to destroy a person simply by touching them, which is exactly what happened here, adding to Yuji's series of traumatic experiences.

Nanami is just one of the many casualties in the series, solidifying Jujutsu Kaisen as a true shonen where characters can die, regardless of their popularity. This was demonstrated not only with Nanami, but also with characters like Satoru Gojo and Nobara Kugisaki, proving that author Gege Akutami is unafraid to kill off characters, no matter the circumstances.

Should Akutami have done more with Nanami?

While it has been argued that Nanami could have played a more significant role in the narrative following the Shibuya Incident arc, his death ultimately served as a major catalyst for Yuji Itadori. The strong bond they had developed motivated Yuji to bring an end to Mahito, a pivotal moment in the series.

One potential issue with the series is Akutami's tendency to pace it quickly, leaving little room for the story to dwell on these important moments. Yuji was unable to properly mourn Nanami, despite the endearing and well-developed relationship they had in the manga.

Final thoughts

Jujutsu Kaisen has a plethora of beloved characters, and Nanami stands out as one of the fan favorites. Unfortunately, his story came to a tragic end when Mahito took his life in Shibuya, and there are no indications of his revival in the manga.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I'm deeply saddened by Nanami's tragic fate in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga. His death was a turning point in the story, and it had a profound impact on me as a reader.

Nanami was a complex and well-developed character, and his death was a huge loss for the series. His realistic perspective on the sorcerer's duty and his unwavering commitment to protecting others made him a fan favorite. I would have loved to see more of Nanami in the manga, and I'm disappointed that his story ended so abruptly.

However, I understand that Akutami had a specific vision for the story, and Nanami's death was necessary to move the plot forward. Despite his death, Nanami's legacy will live on in the hearts of fans, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest characters in Jujutsu Kaisen.