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, the consensus was that her role in the story hadn't concluded following the Shibuya Incident. Truly, what she experienced in Shibuya was terrifying and the whole sequence was quite heartbreaking. But when she did return, in Shinjuku Showdown Arc, it was termed as "forced".

But now that the manga has been complete, looking back, creator Gege Akutami had had a vision for this development. To put it plainly, the mangaka was saving her specifically for the "resonance" plot point. Her Cursed Technique was crucial in Sukuna's defeat, an antagonist who was proving near-impossible to put down. However, Nobara's introduction into the fight was the ultimate decider.

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. But it was his intervention that proved to be decisive.

His CT, called Painkiller, allowed him prevent injuries from worsening. Not to be mistaken, it did not heal existing injuries. Rather, it stopped bleeding/pain when used. This was instrumental in saving Nobara who was later taken to a safe location and treated. Her existence was kept completely hidden as she was the trump card only few knew about.

Not even the main cast were aware that Nobara survived, apart from a very select few individuals. It is likely that she wasn't active (possibly comatose) when Yuji asked Megumi about her. But nonetheless, her addition to the final phase of the fight was vital in Jujutsu High clinching victory. Her Resonance Technique was exactly what was needed to beat Sukuna, coupled with Yuji's Soul Dismantle.

This was proof in Jujutsu Kaisen that the team from Jujutsu High were a step ahead of the King of Curses. They had one final trump card that Sukuna no answer to, especially since he knew nothing of her location or existence as a whole. Located elsewhere and with Sukuna's final finger before her, the brunette's CT worked marvellously well.

Lastly, Nobara's comeback in Jujutsu Kaisen is also symbolic of manpower alone being insufficient in defeating Sukuna. It was with good reason that even his name was feared, his abilities and durability on full display in Shinjuku. Nobara's Resonance scaled this for Sukuna, meaning it took everything to beat him. Also, Yuji alone defeating him would have marred the "ultimate villain" plot.

In conclusion

To conclude, Nobara was always slated to return in Jujutsu Kaisen. It was just a matter of when and how. Had she returned sooner than she actually did, Sukuna would have likely concocted a counter to her move as well. Again, since she isn't as proficient in hand-to-hand combat like Yuji, Maki or Todo, she would have been in grave danger.

But all in all, the brunette's comeback wasn't only a superb character moment, but also a nod to Sukuna's status. It had been elevated through Gojo's defeat and later, through Nobara's intervention too. As mentioned, it took everything and everyone, till their last breath, to put Sukuna down. In the end, the King of Curses more than lived up to his reputation.

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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