Unraveling Nobara's Complex Character: Jujutsu Kaisen's Shibuya Arc Nails It

The latest episode of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 has left fans in anguish over the death of Nobara Kugisaki. Throughout the series, she was undeniably one of the most intriguing and multifaceted characters.

In her final moments, she grappled with the misconceptions she had before moving to Tokyo and realized that every person she met thereafter disproved her earlier beliefs, adding depth to her character.

How Jujutsu Kaisen's Shibuya arc wasted Nobara Kugisaki's character depth

Nobara played a pivotal role in the series, being a key member of the main trio alongside Megumi Fushiguro and Yuji Itadori. As the first season of the anime unfolded, audiences witnessed the dynamic between the three characters develop, leading to a deep bond between them.

In this image taken from Jujutsu Kaisen, we see Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaki. Right from the start of the series, Nobara Kugisaki has displayed a confident yet arrogant demeanor. She is known for her directness and blunt communication style, never hesitating to speak her mind even if it causes trouble. Throughout the show, she is portrayed as being very selective about the people she allows into her life.

Despite her high standards and walls, Nobara quickly connected with Yuji Itadori. They have different perspectives, with Nobara's similar to Satoru Gojo or Megumi Fushiguro. Nevertheless, she formed a deep bond with Itadori, leading to a unique and silly friendship. Despite being selective about who enters her life, Nobara has found that some people just bring a chair and take a seat on their own.

In her final moments, Nobara experiences a vivid recollection of her life, allowing fans to gain insight into her ideology and perspective. Coming from a village where those who were different were shunned as outcasts, Nobara developed a guarded attitude towards others, shaped by her misconceptions formed during her time in the village.

However, the misconceptions she held and the wall she built around herself were eventually shattered by the people she encountered during her time at Jujutsu High. From Itadori to Maki, every individual she crossed paths with challenged her previous perceptions, as she never expected to form bonds with such a diverse group of people.

Nobara Kugisaki and Yuji Itadori as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen (image via MAPPA)

She welcomed all her current friends and teachers, each bringing their own chair and taking a seat in her life, which she found to be quite enjoyable. Yet, as it turned out, every person she met proved her wrong, and the time she shared with them was truly invaluable.

Unfortunately, her depth of character seemed to go to waste as it all happened just before her passing. While fans have shown their appreciation for Nobara's backstory and characterization, they have also openly voiced their complaints about her untimely death.

It is widely believed that the character's death was unnecessary for the progression of the story. In retrospect, her demise has not contributed significantly, except for being a crucial element in Itadori's personal development and his determination to defeat Mahito.

Nobara Kugisaki in her final moments as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2(image via MAPPA)

The fanbase was deeply saddened by her death, saying goodbye to one of the franchise's most beloved characters. This was especially difficult coming right after Kento Nanami's passing. Fans had hoped to see Nobara's character develop and grow throughout the series, but those hopes were dashed during the Shibuya Incident. Gege Akutami left her fate ambiguous, offering only a slim chance of survival before hardly mentioning her again.

Final thoughts

There is still a glimmer of hope among fans that Nobara will eventually make her comeback to Jujutsu Kaisen. Despite some hints suggesting her demise, there has been no official confirmation about her fate in the series.

Editor's P/S

1. Nobara Kugisaki's death in Jujutsu Kaisen's Shibuya arc has left fans heartbroken and disappointed. As one of the most intriguing and multifaceted characters in the series, her untimely demise feels like a waste of her potential.

2. While her final moments provide insight into her ideology and perspective, it is overshadowed by the fact that her death does not significantly contribute to the progression of the story. Despite her popularity and deep bond with the main trio, Nobara's character development is cut short, leaving fans mourning the loss of a beloved character and wondering what could have been.