Despite the popularity of Jujutsu Kaisen and the deaths of many main characters, few anticipated that Gege Akutami would eliminate a key character so early in the story. Nobara Kugisaki is believed to have died at the hands of Mahito during the Shibuya Incident arc.
Since her supposed death, Nobara has remained absent from the storyline, without any updates regarding her status for nearly 150 chapters. It wasn’t until Chapter 267 that she made a sudden appearance to assist Yuji in reclaiming Sukuna’s power.
This situation bears a striking resemblance to Bakugo’s return in My Hero Academia at the end of the Final War arc. However, despite some similarities, the two events are quite different.
Nobara’s and Bakugo’s Returns Look Similar
Before examining the differences between Nobara’s and Bakugo’s returns, let’s discuss their common points. Similar to Nobara, Bakugo ‘dies’ in the middle of a significant battle against Shigaraki. His ‘death’ is deeply tragic and catalyzes Deku’s determination to stop the antagonists.
In Nobara’s case, her supposed death causes Yuji immense pain and determination right at the moment of fate. After Gojo is sealed, Nanami dies, and the main characters must face a different tragedy when they struggle with their own losses. This ultimately leads to Yuji seeking to eliminate Mahito in cold blood.
While Bakugo’s ‘death’ serves a narrative purpose, Nobara’s return also plays a role in the story. Bakugo returns at a crucial moment when All Might is about to be overwhelmed by All For One, just as Nobara returns at a pivotal moment to confront Sukuna.
Afterwards, Bakugo does not merely return for the sake of it; he impacts one of the most significant moments of the narrative. Meanwhile, Deku finds himself in turmoil as he faces the antagonists (at least in that moment).
So, what distinguishes these two returns? Indeed, the differences lie in how they are executed and their significance to the plot. In summary, both are about how the narrative is conveyed meaningfully.
Nobara’s Return Came Too Late
Bakugo’s return, regardless of any controversies surrounding it, was anticipated. It could potentially turn into a negative outcome if not executed at the right moment. He returns at a critical moment that prompts us to reflect, but without going too overboard to the point of overshadowing the main characters.
This cannot be said for Nobara. She returned right before Yuji could potentially face the main antagonist of the story. This is quite problematic, as Jujutsu Kaisen does not frequently place its main characters in the central spotlight, especially during the Shinjuku Showdown arc.
Thus, when Yuji finally turns to face Sukuna, it is reasonable to only mention him and Sukuna. As the main character, Yuji’s role is emphasized, and we, as the audience, with a distinct perspective, have waited for significant moments to unfold since the beginning. There have also been many hints when Yuji finally unveils his true self and fully embraces Sukuna’s conclusion if Megumi fails.
The remarkable moment that follows is when Nobara’s return completely undermines the intended significance of that moment. What is the point of knowing Yuji needs help if it comes from someone else?
Just like Bakugo died in the previous significant part of the story before suddenly returning, just as Deku is about to face Shigaraki and All For One. It seems somewhat suspicious, doesn’t it?
Nobara’s Return Opens Up Plot Holes
One major flaw regarding Nobara’s return is that it does not adequately connect with the entire storyline of her character. Besides the ‘main character’ aspect, it simply doesn’t provide anything significant beyond the plot holes in the narrative. Why must her status be hidden from Yuji, especially after Sukuna has left her body?
If Yuta and others had previously brought her into a preparation plan, the secrecy with Yuji sounds entirely unreasonable. And why does Sukuna, who understands Nobara’s Resonance and her abilities, not plan ahead to avoid this potential outcome?
We have seen the King of Curses overcome powerful techniques like Hollow Purple and Jacob’s Ladder multiple times, yet never to such a degree that the clumsy gains of our heroes become a burden. But when faced with a technique that is not overly powerful, how could Nobara fail?
However, this isn’t the most pressing question regarding Nobara’s return. What would Yuji do if Nobara didn’t return? He surely had a way, with the confidence he could reclaim Sukuna. What would Yuji do without the support of Resonance? We might never get the answers to these questions.
It’s disheartening when a character like Nobara is rendered a mere plot device at the most critical moment. We hope that the conclusion of Jujutsu Kaisen will do justice to address the decisions made in this regard in the future.
