Kugisaki Nobara's apparent demise during the Jujutsu Kaisen series' Shibuya Incident arc left readers grappling with denial, as they speculated endlessly about her fate. Despite sustaining critical injuries from the formidable Mahito, fans clung to the possibility of her survival.
However, during the ongoing Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition in Shibuya on July 7, 2024, Akutami put an end to the speculation, confirming that the beloved female Jujutsu Sorcerer has indeed met her tragic demise. Akutami also revealed infromation regarding the death of another fan-favorite, Kento Nanami.
Gege Akutami's revelation at the Jujutsu Kaisen exhibition
At the Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition in Shibuya, that started on July 6, 2024, Gege Akutami disclosed he had planned to eliminate Kugisaki Nobara and Kento Nanami even before the Shibuya Incident arc began.
Nobara's death, a devastating loss for fans worldwide, shattered their hearts and left an indelible mark on the Jujutsu Kaisen series. Akutami's revelation confirms the finality of her fate, a decision that undoubtedly shaped the story's direction and added depth to the characters' struggles.
Jujutsu Kaisen fandom in denial even after Akutami's revelation
Even after the explicit confirmation from Gege Akutami himself, many dedicated fans remain unconvinced about Nobara Kugisaki's demise. They have voiced their disbelief and unwillingness to accept this reality across various social media platforms like X.
"I would have agreed with you had Gege only talked about Nobara here. But talking about both Nanami and Nobara's fates together tells me they are both gone for good. Comparing a character to Nanami is like the most dead flag there is, look at Higuruma", a fan said
"I’m still holding out hope. I believe that if he intended on confirming her death, he would’ve done so when Gojo was debriefed about Shibuya by Shoko and ijichi. It would seem out of character if he didn’t express anything about her", said another fan while expressing denial.
"i’m sorry but i still believe she’s coming back!!!", said a fan
This denial extends beyond casual viewers so much that even ardent followers of the manga find themselves grappling with the revelation. Despite the conclusive evidence, they cannot reconcile themselves to the idea of Nobara's passing.
"Should have made it clear rather than stringing fans along for years. I was never a fan of it not being outright stated that Nobara was dead. Gave the fans what we now know to be false hope. And again, for YEARS., said a fan while criticizing Gege.
"I was hoping she would come back and save Megumi", a fan expressed hope in the upcoming storyline.
"If she stays dead I won't ever understand why he added that dialogue right after she died about how she could still make it. Yes I know the probability was always stated to be low, but I just don't get what's the point of writing that dialogue", another fan said.
However, the fandom's reluctance stems from understandable reasons. Jujutsu Kaisen has consistently delivered shocking plot twists and revelations that defy expectations.
Furthermore, Akutami has masterfully explored the concept of resurrection, exemplified by Yuji Itadori's revival from the brink of death. Given this precedent, fans cling to the hope that Nobara's fate may yet be reversed through an unexpected narrative development.
Final thoughts
Gege Akutami's shocking revelation about Nobara Kugisaki's fate in the Jujutsu Kaisen series has left fans deeply emotional and unwilling to accept her demise. The intense connection and investment the audience feels towards Nobara's character journey is evident from their overwhelming denial and refusal to believe her story has ended.
While Akutami's decision to eliminate Nobara from the narrative may be a difficult truth for fans to confront, it is crucial to acknowledge the author's creative vision and the potential narrative impact such a bold storytelling choice could have.
As the Jujutsu Kaisen story progresses, the fandom's reaction to this development and the lasting legacy of Nobara Kugisaki will undoubtedly remain a topic of intense discussion and speculation among the series' devoted fanbase.
Related links:
- Jujutsu Kaisen fans cope with Akutami's heartlessness by gushing over Gojo's silliness in Yuta's flashback
- 5 Anime main characters who are better written than Yuji Itadori (& 5 who can’t be compared)
- Gege Akutami reveals real-life inspiration for Toji Fushiguro in Jujutsu Kaisen exhibition