Nobara: I used to believe Nobara's return was forced in Jujutsu Kaisen, until I realized Gege's actual vision

Nobara Kugisaki's return in Jujutsu Kaisen was anticipated yet surprising to many. Being the tritagonist of the series, many did not believe that her role in the story had concluded following the Shibuya Incident's events. Truly, what she experienced in Shibuya was terrifying and the whole sequence was quite heartbreaking.

Moreover, many began to term the brunette's comeback, during the Shinjuku Showdown Arc, as forced. But now that the manga has been complete, looking back, creator Gege Akutami had had a vision for this development. He used the "tunnel effect" to save Nobara Kugisaki's life and have her return at a crucial in the story, which make her contributions ot the story important.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Nobara's return wasn't forced, but part of a Akutami's vision

As a brief recap, Nobara was "killed" during the Shibiya Incident in Jujutsu Kaisen by the despicable Mahito. She was fortunate or unfortunate to run into a clone of him and was easily defeating it. Realizing that her Cursed Technique directly targeted the soul, the double and the original decided to swap places to confuse their opponents and snatch the edge in battle.

The brunette gave chase but it ended in the Curse touching the left side of her face. This meant that he could manipulate a part of her soul as part of his Idle Transfiguration. Due to this, the left side of her, specifically her eye exploded and she was believed to be deceased. Arata Nitta furthered this claim by not guaranteeing her survival. She did survive however, thanks to the "tunnel effect".

This was in line with Akutami's vision, something deeper and symbolic. In quantum physics, the tunnel effect refers to a phenomenon where a particle passes through a barrier containing more energy itself, i.e., something it shouldn't logically be able to do. When applied to Jujutsu Kaisen, it was used metaphorically to convey that Nobara's survival was not a case of brute force or conventional healing.

Rather, it was centered around slipping through death's door itself in a way that defied logic. She was on the verge of her demise, with the "barrier" (death) seemingly hopeless. Yet, similar to a tunneling particle, Nobara somehow withstood Mahito's attack and came out the other side with her eye damaged. Her survival becomes poetic and metaphysical thanks to such a "quantum storytelling".

This is also a nod at Jujutsu Kaisen not always operating within the rules of pragmatism. Rather, the narrative is erratic and functions in the liminal space between life and death, much like the curses themselves. Her return is more than surival— it is the mangaka exhibiting hope, emotion, and even sheer will, elements which can sometimes bend the rules of the world itself.

In the end, Nobara's contribution was crucial in Ryomen Sukuna's ultimate defeat. The King of Curses proved to be the toughest foe the Jujutsu sorcerers had ever faced, countering almost everything that was thrown at him. But he ruled out Nobara and her Resonance, the one technique that he couldn't craft a counter for on the spot.

In conclusion

Jujutsu Kaisen bringing Nobara Kugisaki back wasn't a plot twist, but a reflection of Gege Akutami’s deeper narrative philosophy. Initially, it may have looked like an easy loophole to leverage, but the "tunnel effect's" symbolism recontextualizes the moment. Like a particle doing the impossible, Nobara slipped through the barrier of death itself despite its impossibility.

While she did receive medical aid and was given a lot of recovery time, it cannot be denied that the poetic assertion of will, spirit, and unresolved purpose triumphed. Akutami's use of a concept like this showcased that his series doesn't rule out the non-traditional rules. Nobara surviving was well-planned, a strong reminder that despite the series' darkness, there is light when necesary.

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About the author

Casey has been an anime writer at Sportskeeda since almost a year. Being drawn into the world of animanga after watching the Dragon Ball series almost a decade ago, Casey's interest in the genre, along with his love of crafting plot theories influenced his writerly endeavors. Presently pursuing a Master's degree in International Business, Casey worked for Uneake and FootballExpress for 1.3 years before joining Sportskeeda.

Casey's writings reflect his commitment to producing the most reliable content, evidenced by his flair for in-depth reporting. He places a high value on meticulous research and complete factual accuracy.

Although it was legendary Akira Toriyama’s magnum opus that influenced his love of animanga, Casey soon branched out and explored other titles. The unique ways in which mangakas express ideas, as well as their far-reaching effects, have inspired Casey in his creative pursuits.

When not busy writing, Casey enjoys working out, listening to music, strumming the guitar, and playing football.

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Edited by Casey Mendez