Jujutsu Kaisen Brutally Fails Its Most Beloved Character: An Essay

Dark shonen may not be a new concept, but as a subgenre, it left a mark on anime and manga. Embracing themese like trauma, death, darkness, and suffering, the modern “Dark Trio” of Shonen doesn’t shy away. It forces readers to acknowledge the truth: Darkness is everywhere. Akutami Gege’s Jujutsu Kaisen stands heads above the rest as one of the Dark Trio’s most compelling manga and anime.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a raw and emotional story of a teenage boy named Yuji Itadori. Itadori joins a secret scoiety of Jutusu Sorcerers after swallowing a cursed object and becoming the vessel for Ryomen Sukuna. He serves as the series’ protagonist, but there is a full cast of compelling characters, including one unforgettable mentor. Kento Nanami is introduced in Season 1, Episode 8, “Boring”.  After a brutal death and unexpected resurrection, Yuji’s recruiting sensei, Satoru Gojo, put him in Nanami’s care. That is the first clue things will go terribly wrong for the man who never wanted Yuji to call him Sensei.

Gojo Hands Yuji Off to Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen for a Good Reason

 

 

Anime fans love the quirky shorts at the end of episodes in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1. The “Juju Strolls” are a breath of fresh air, especially after a dark episode. At the end of Episode 9, we see Gojo virtually stalking Nanami. He wants him to go out with him. He he has something very important to talk to him about.

No-nonsense and never one to suffer Gojo’s over-the-top antics, Nanami completely ignores him. The stroll ends with Gojo slipping a very important note into Nanami’s pocket when he’s not looking. When he opens it, there’s nothing more than a crude drawing of a penis. This further cements Gojo’s role as the most annoying human in Nanami’s world.

But a lot of fans may not realize Gojo really did want to have an important conversation with Nanami. He finally corners him in the Gege Akutami-supervised light novel by Ballad Kitaguni: Summer of Ashes, Autumn of Dust. In the short story, “Resurrection Doll,” Gojo finally finds a way to corner Nanami. He follows Nanami on a trip to Hokkaido and stands back watching his junior associate do all the work.

Nanami Had Important Life Skills Gojo Was Lacking

Jujutsu Kaisen’s early days are chock-full of hilarious Nanami and Gojo banter. One of the best conversations between them comes at the end the short story “Resurrection Doll.” After taking care of the curse, the two find themselves sitting in a bar together. Nanami soothes his mental anguish with alcohol and Gojo with sugar.

They talk about the dangers of their job, and how easily a curse is born through negative energy and suffering. With that in mind, Gojo believes that Nanami is a bit of a soft-touch. Even Nanami is taken aback by his observation, believing himself to be incredibly hardened. A hard outer shell isn’t enough to protect a heart from the dark things they see every day, and he knows it.

When Gojo finally tells him he wants him to watch over Yuji, his reason is surprisingly heartfelt. Despite being Sukuna’s vessel, Gojo knows that Yuji is still a person, and a young kid at that. Aware of his shortcomings, Gojo believes Nanami can give Yuji the spiritual guidance he needs to “grow up healthy.” He knows Nanami understands human suffering. He’ll make sure that no matter how much Yuji endures, he’ll come out of it with his noble heart.

Jujutsu Kaisen Anime and Manga Fans Never See the Moment That Dooms Nanami

If that isn’t a set-up for impending doom, what is? In that moment, Nanami will becomes the mentor Yuji does more than learn from. Yuji will look up to and bond with Nanami. He will want to impress him and earn his approval in ways he never would with Gojo.

As the strongest, Gojo is also the loneliest. He is the one most detached from the human world because he has to be. Because of this, he can never give Yuji what he needed to emotionally survive the rollercoaster of heartache and agony that stretches out before him. At least with Nanami, Yuji can begin preparing.

The Other Reason Jujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo Paired Yuji With Nanami

While it’s easy to surmise from their conversation that Gojo wanted Nanami to look after Yuji for the kid’s sake, he demonstrated a surprising sense of insight with this decision. Most people see Gojo as immature, impetuous and foolish, with very little connection to the world around him beyond his role as the strongest sorcerer, but asking Nanami to work with Yuji was just as much for Nanami’s sake. Nanami was always a little stiff as a person, even in high school, but he was in desperate need of healing.

Yuji Is Suprisingly Similar to Another Jujutsu Kaisen Character

We never learn why Nanami left Jujutsu Society to become a salaryman. The reasons are clearer in Season 2, during Gojo’s Past arc. Two major events factor heavily into Nanmi’s decision: the death of his friend, Yu Haibara and Suguru Geto’s descent into darkness. Much like Itadori, Haibara is a cheerful and optimistic young kid who wants to impress his upperclassmen. He is proud to be a part of their world, and he sees the good in people, even considering himself an impeccable judge of character.

In a conversation with a severely depressed Geto, Haibara gushes about an exciting mission he is going on. He promises to bring back souvenirs for his friends. In this scene, it becomes almost instantly obvious how similar in disposition Yuji is to Nanami’s old classmate. When Yuki Tsukumo arrives on the scene and asks Geto what kind of women he prefers, it’s actually Haibara who answers. His response is almost identical to Yuji’s later on.

Nanami Lets Go of His Anger Because of Itadori

Haibara dies tragically on what is supposed to be an easy mission to eliminate a Second Grade Cursed Spirit. It turns out to be a First Grade Curse, a local deity fueled by worship that had grown too powerful. Nanami and Haibara weren’t yet strong enough, being little more than sixteen at the time. Considering Nanami’s earlier complaints about being given work that was too difficult for their level, it’s no wonder he is furious when Haibara dies.

Nanami’s already bad attitude only got worse. He already feels discouraged as a sorcerer, like the higher-ups see them all as disposable. Haibara’s death just proves his point. When Geto finally snaps and spirals into darkness, it’s too much for Nanami to deal with. Not because he blames Geto, but because he relates in ways that terrify him.

He leaves left Jujutsu Society. And for a long time, he doesn’t look back. He disassociates from that entire world and throws himself into a soul-crushing job as a salaryman for money. His whole life turns into an endless act for the sake of money. In time, he realizes being a salaryman isn’t all that much different than being a Jujutsu Sorcerer. He is good at both jobs, but only one of them iss emotionally gratifying. Only one allows him to actually help people.

Nanami Becomes the Jujutsu Kaisen Mentor Yuji Needs Most

Satoru Gojo’s strange teaching methods and immaturity aside, there is no doubt he is an excellent teacher. He cares a great deal about the next generation of sorcerers, because he feels the higher ups failed his own generation. That being said, even Gojo knows it’s not really his style. For one thing, he’s far too busy carrying the entire Jujutsu world on his back. Secondly, he’s too aloof to be taken seriously. Rather than acting like a responsible adult, he’s just another big kid.

Itadori’s initial training with Gojo is often more like show and tell than actual training. Entering the field to inspect the theater where Mahito baited Junpei, Nanami takes a different approach with Yuji. He outright tells Yuji how to see residual cursed energy. When Yuji expects praise for being able to see it, Nanami refuses to give it to him. When he suggests they follow the energy, Yuji believes they’ll go all out, cursed techniques a-blazing. Nanami shuts him down, noting that all they need is moderate effort. This bothers Yuji, establishing a prickly air between them as they begin following the residuals to the rooftops.

Yuji Becomes the Peace Nanami Is Searching For

Despite his warning not to go all out, he did encourages Yuji to fight beside him as they encounter the two curses on the rooftops. He tells him to call out if he gets in over his head. This makes Yuji feel like Nanami has no faith in his abilities, but that wasn’t the case. It simply boils down to the fact that Nanami is the adult and Yuji the child. It’s his responsibility to put Yuji’s well-being over his own.

For a kid Yuji’s age, this shouldn’t be such a surprising concept, but he didn’t exactly have adults looking after him growing up. The roles reverse for Itadori, with him taking care of his elderly grandfather and looking after himself. Considering this, it comes as no surprise Nanami’s assessment offends him.

Itadori doesn’t think of himself as a kid. As Nanami points out, being thrust into multiple life or death situations doesn’t make him an adult. He then goes on to list the kinds of things that do, ending his speech by saying the sum total of life’s little moments of despair are what make someone an adult.

The Real Reason Gojo Put Nanami & Yuji Together

In the battle that follows, Nanami assesses Yuji’s Divergent Fist technique, believing this is why Gojo wants him to look after the kid. That is part of it, but the real reason is subtly revealed after their first fight together. When Nanami and Yuji realize they aren’t fighting cursed spirits, but cursed humans Yuji’s devastation is heartbreaking.

With their suspicions confirmed by Shoko Ieri, Yuji’s disgust at the culprit’s actions shifts Nanami’s perspective. He goes from the guy who told Yuji he didn’t give a damn about his attempts to gain respect to silently admiring his convictions. He even admits moderate action isn’t going to be enough. They need to go all out, and that makes Itadori feel like they finally understand each other.

Nanami’s Time With Yuji Set Him Up to Suffer a Classic Story Trope

The avenging student is an unfortunate story trope that’s been around since the dawn of storytelling. A hesitant teacher takes on a pupil, provides them with the tools they need, and then the master dies—almost always in a tragic and devastating way. Fueled by grief and vengeance, the student rises to a new level of power that their teacher never achieved and go forth to avenge their death.

From Obi-wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker to Jiraiya and Naruto Uzumaki, there is nothing more satisfying than a good pupil revenge story. As the student rises up to avenge their fallen master, everything they learned guides them on their path. Yuji and Nanami don’t see eye-to-eye at first. In line with Gojo’s predictions, however, they form a powerful bond. Nanami is the adult Yuji needs in his life. He is a voice of reason who reminds him that, despite being part of a very dark adult world, he is still a child.

There’s a fine line between seeking vengeance and falling into absolute despair. Yuji watches on in abject horror as Nanami is horrifically annihilated. His response to the waking nightmare could go either way. Yuji is so ruined by the things Sukuna did with his body. From a story perspective, he doesn’t really need any more motivation to rise to action. Nanami passes the torch to him, telling him, “You take it from here.”  He can’t save Nanami, but he won’t give up on pursuing Mahito until vengeance is served.

Jujutsu Kaisen Avenges Nanami, But Akutami-Sensei Still Fails Him

Akutami-Sensei admits to creating Nanami as a statement on corporate burnout and rampant capitalism. A salaryman obsessessing over money, money, money, Nanami comes to realize there is no real satisfaction in the pursuit of material security. With that in mind, Akutami-Sensei also admits that Nanami’s days were always numbered. As a catalyst designed to propel Itadori forward as Jujutsu Kaisen‘s protagonist, once Yuji reaches his potential, Nanami’s purpose is fulfilled.

I know he isn’t a real person. I swear, I really do! The thing about Jujutsu Kaisen, however, is how relatable the characters are. I adore Nanami, just like thousands of other JJK fans. He provides the perfect balance to Gojo’s over-the-top and overpowered existence. He has an everyday attitude nearly everyone with a 9 to 5 can relate to. None of us want to work overtime, even if we work our hardest in overtime to hurry up and get outta there.

There are fan communities who exist solely to give Nanami Kento the life he so rightfully deserves. A happy life, a happy wife, maybe a little bakery near a beach. After everything he went through, he deserves that much. I exist now in an alternate universe, like those other fans, where Nanami is alive, well, and having the best future imaginable. Maybe Yuji comes to live with him and his wife, their foster son. They have happy little weekend breakfasts, where he can read the paper in peace before walking down to beach to look for seashells.

I Believe Nanami Still Deserves Better

Nanami’s death hurts. It is testament to his design as a character that his death actually hurts. Life is often cruel enough on its own, and since art imitates it, sometimes a little ray of sunlight through the darkness is appreciated. Jujutsu Kaisen is a virtual slaughterfest from start to finish, with it only growing more violent as the chapters pile up. An underdog like Nanami should be there at the end, retiring and living his best life. I don’t care if he loses and arm or even an eye in the process, just go back in time and give the guy a break!

Since that’s likely not possible, I at least want to see a statue of the guy in New Shibuya or something. After all, without Nanami, Yuji would have never learned what it took to hand out consecutive black flashes. Gojo certainly didn’t know how to teach that to him, but Akutami-Sensei’s rotten treatment of Satoru Gojo is another matter for a different post.