Jujutsu Kaisen is a highly acclaimed animanga series, but its ending may not be popular among fans. The manga, created by Gege Akutami, is known for its brutal deaths, with some characters being killed off almost nonchalantly. This brutality is influenced by the cause of death and the emotional stakes behind it. Some deaths are physically brutal, while others are emotionally charged. Shock factor also plays a significant role in the brutality of a death. The popularity of characters, who fans thought were safe, can make these moments more impactful. The popularity of these characters also contributes to the most brutal deaths in Jujutsu Kaisen so far. Overall, the manga’s brutality and emotional depth make it a compelling and emotional read.
“Get ready to relive the heartbreak, in this article, we’re diving into the most unforgettable and saddest deaths in Jujutsu Kaisen that left fans in tears.”
Table of Contents
Gojo Satoru (Chapter 236)
Gojo’s death in the shōnen manga “Jujutsu Kaisen” was a controversial and hard-hitting event that shook the world and cast doubts about the future of the series. Memorials and eulogies were set up in Gojo’s name, creating a watershed moment in the fandom’s collective consciousness. The reason for this reaction is simple: Gojo’s larger-than-life personality was the beating heart of the series, and his brutal death completely shattered expectations. Akutami’s reasons for killing off Gojo partly stem from disdain for his own creation and the difficulties of mapping a satisfying arc for a mega-overpowered protagonist.
However, the results are devastating, shifting the onus onto a younger generation of sorcerers, whose lives become more precious than ever. The image of Gojo’s bloody, bisected corpse became the focal point for delusional theory-crafting and heated discourse. Gojo’s legacy has seeped everywhere, and there is something deeply moving about a man who used his innate powers to shield and empower students until his last breath, taking on a more open, nurturing role for children who are not allowed the luxury to hold on to their innocence in such a violent, volatile world.
Mai Zenin (Chapter 149)
Mai, a character introduced in the Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc, is portrayed as antagonistic and has a contentious relationship with her twin sister, Maki. Maki is seen as rude and inconsiderate, highlighting the horrors of being a Zenin and the burden of not being able to shine without cursed energy. Their father, Ogi, leaves them for dead in a disciplinary pit filled with cursed spirits. Mai leaves Maki with a morbid gift, access to her Heavenly Restriction, which can only be realized after her twin’s death.
Despite their disparate paths, Mai’s sacrifice is primarily aimed at exacting revenge on the Zenin clan. Their bond is complicated by their early loss of innocence and their bloody path, which ultimately creates a rift between them. The curse of the Zenin clan is broken when Maki stabs a cursed Naoya Zenin with the Split Soul Katana, leading to Mai’s soul speaking to her sister. This tragic death spurs Maki to avenge her sister, leading to the clan massacre, which is an integral part of her internal arc.
Nanami Kento (Chapter 120/Season 2, Episode 18)
Nanami, a sorcerer, takes refuge in the latter after losing Haibara, but his innate need to help and protect the younger generation brings him back to Jujutsu High as a mentor. His death is meant to hurt deeply, as he spends his final moments defending his students and dreams of embracing serenity on a beach in Malaysia. Despite his immense worth, Nanami cannot attain this dream in his lifetime.
During the Shibuya arc, Nanami fights valiantly until the end, before being killed by Mahito in front of Yuji, who is already distressed. Nanami expresses his guilt and expresses his duty to prioritize Yuji’s life, passing over the torch to him before dying, demonstrating that the next generation of sorcerers can pave the path to victory even when their predecessors failed.
Choso Kamo (Chapter 259)
Choso initially aligns with Kenjaku’s scheme after the deaths of Kechizu and Eso, but a series of events during the Shibuya Arc and the revelation about his “father” prompt him to align with Yuji, whom he considers his “younger brother.” Choso’s initial ties to the antagonists are based on personal grievance rather than a need to harm others. His reserved demeanour shelters a protective, driven personality that emerges as tender in a world filled with cruelty. His tragic death in Chapter 259 highlights his protective love towards Yuji, who he shields by jumping in the way of Sukuna’s Divine Flames. His death enables Yuji to unleash his pent-up grief and anger when he attacks Sukuna alongside Todo. Choso, a Cursed Womb: Death Painting, still feels the bonds inherent to human existence.
Nobara Kugisaki (Chapter 124/Season 2, Episode 19)
Nobara’s sudden and brutal death during the Shibuya Arc in “Jujutsu Kaisen” robbed the central trio of young protagonists of their bond. The story felt hollow as Nobara’s fate remained unconfirmed, especially for Yuji, who witnessed her fatal blow by Mahito. Nobara’s life flashed before her eyes, and she was considered dead. However, she returns in Chapter 267, better than ever, and the trio finally reunites. Nobara wears an eyepatch and uses her Resonance cursed technique to damage Sukuna’s soul, creating a perfect opening for Yuji to take over. This gives a greater narrative purpose to her return, but her significance could have been more thoughtfully woven or planned out. The emotional centre of Yuji and Megumi’s reunion with Nobara, after believing they have lost her forever, lends to the bittersweet nature of the ending.
Masamichi Yaga (Chapter 147)
Yaga, a minor character in the story, is executed for not averting a disaster in Jujutsu society. The Shibuya incident results in civilian and sorcerer casualties, and the sealing of Gojo Satoru disrupts natural order. Yaga, the Principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High, takes the blame for the fall. Gakuganji fights Yaga and executes him for refusing to provide sensitive information. Panda, Yaga’s child, mourns his battered body. The cursed corpses, created secretly, are left to fend for themselves, adding to the tragedy. The story highlights the rotten politics governing Jujutsu society.
Toji Fushiguro (Chapter 75/Season 2, Episode 4)
Toji Fushiguro, a character who uses cursed energy to his advantage, drastically changes Jujutsu society during the Hidden Inventory Arc. After Riko Amanai is saved by Gojo and Geto, Toji brutally kills him, leaving him dead in a pool of blood. Gojo’s resurrection triggers a confrontation between him and Toji, who partially annihilates him using his Hollow Purple.
Toji’s final words reveal his tragic aspirations for his son Megumi, who he entrusts to Gojo for an upbringing free from Zenin influence. Toji’s death and Geto’s subsequent role as a genocidal cult leader change Gojo’s perspective on strength and who is worth saving. He returns briefly with the Séance cursed technique during the Shibuya Arc, but stabs himself after Megumi reveals he’s a Fushiguro, not a Zenin. Both instances are emotionally resonant for the core characters and the narrative.
Riko Amanai (Chapter 72/Season 2, Episode 3)
The Hidden Inventory Arc revolves around Riko’s sudden death, which disrupts Geto and Gojo’s lives and Jujutsu society. Riko, a Star Plasma Vessel, is expected to merge with Tengen, but it becomes clear that she is just a child with a desire to live life to the fullest. When Geto urges her to live on her own terms, Riko is fatally shot to the head, leaving Geto to process the situation.
The anime sets up a devastating effect on everyone, from Geto’s psychological break to Gojo’s realization that he must protect others to maintain his strength. Riko Amanai’s death symbolizes innocence lost, as a life is cut short before it can bloom. The tragic outcome of Riko’s death creates a domino effect with disastrous consequences, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the importance of protecting others.
Junpei Yoshino (Chapter 27, Season 1, Episode 12)
The tragic and shocking nature of Junpei’s death is not solely due to the murder itself but also the way the manga and anime reveal it. The manga portrays Junpei’s origins and motivations, with him seemingly moving past his trauma after forming a friendship with Yuji. However, tragedy strikes when his mother is killed by Mahito, who befriends Junpei under the guise of being a benevolent curse and grants him abilities.
Led astray by this new bond, Junpei believes Mahito’s lies and becomes a pawn in his twisted game. Mahito compels Junpei to murder a bully, but the boy intervenes and prevents the act. Mahito uses his cursed technique to transfigure Junpei into a monstrous curse and kills him in front of Yuji. The anime death feels even worse, as the opening illusion suggests Junpei will join Yuji at Jujutsu High, highlighting the unforgiving nature of society.
Sukuna Ryomen (Chapter 268)
In Chapter 268, Sukuna, the looming antagonist of the series, is finally killed by sorcerers who aim to usurp his cause. Yuji’s Black Flash and Nobara’s return force the King of Curses from Megumi’s body, reducing him to a small ball of slime. Yuji urges Sukuna to join forces with him, but he refuses, demonstrating his irredeemable, unapologetic villainy. Sukuna’s death is tonally perfect, as he is unceremoniously robbed of his delusion of grandeur and continues to hate Yuji. Although the death could have been better paced and treated with more gravitas, it marks a seminal juncture in the story, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.
Geto Suguru (Chapter 4/Jujutsu Kaisen 0)
“Jujutsu Kaisen” follows Geto’s tragic journey from protecting the weak to actively eradicating non-sorcerers. The Hidden Inventory Arc and Cursed Child Arc map Geto’s eventual death at the hands of his friend Gojo. The bond between Gojo and Geto is used as a bargaining chip during the Shibuya incident by Kenjaku, who inhabits Geto’s body after his death. Gojo had no choice but to end Geto’s world-ending machinations, but had to pay the price of killing him and whispering something intimate to his dying friend.
Kenjaku later violates Geto’s body, putting Gojo in shock at seeing Geto alive again. When Kenjaku mocks Gojo post-capture, Geto’s body violently reacts by attempting to choke Kenjaku, re-enacting the muscle memory to protect Gojo even after death. This portrayal of love persevering is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
FAQs
Q1: Why are the deaths in Jujutsu Kaisen considered so emotional?
A: The series builds strong emotional attachments to its characters by giving them deep backstories, personal struggles, and powerful motivations. When they die, it feels impactful and meaningful, often highlighting the dark reality of the jujutsu world.
Q2: Which is the saddest death in Jujutsu Kaisen so far?
A: Many fans consider Kento Nanami’s death one of the most heartbreaking due to his mentor-like bond with Yuji and his emotional final moments. Others might argue for Junpei, Nobara, or Geto Suguru, depending on personal connection.
Q3: Does Nobara Kugisaki actually die in Jujutsu Kaisen?
A: Her fate is left ambiguous for a long time after her critical injuries in the Shibuya Incident. While it appears she may have died, the manga leaves her condition uncertain for several chapters, leading to ongoing debates among fans.
Q4: Why did Junpei’s death hit fans so hard?
A: Junpei’s story was one of hope, bullying, and friendship. His quick descent into despair and tragic death shortly after bonding with Yuji made it emotionally devastating, especially since fans hoped he would join Jujutsu High.
Q5: Do major character deaths affect the storyline?
A: Yes, deaths in Jujutsu Kaisen significantly influence the plot and the growth of other characters. For instance, Nanami’s death deeply affects Yuji’s development and resolve.
Q6: Will there be more tragic deaths in Jujutsu Kaisen?
A: Given the dark tone of the story and ongoing battles, it’s highly likely that more major characters will die as the series progresses.
Final Thoughts
“Jujutsu Kaisen” is a manga series by Mangaka Gege Akutami, which explores the world of cursed spirits and jujutsu sorcerers. The series has been a hit with fans, with its 271st chapter bringing it to a close. The series features a series of brutal, impactful deaths, with some being cathartic and others tragic. The author will focus on 10 complex characters whose absence is felt even after the manga’s hopeful resolution.
Some hard-hitting deaths have not been included in the list, such as Mechamaru/Kokichi’s sacrifice and Mahito’s death. Some antagonist deaths are cathartic or underwhelming, depending on how one views them. Mahito’s demise feels well-deserved, while Kenjaku’s end at the hands of Yuta feels like a cop-out. Trauma Central™ offers a revisitation of some of the most compelling deaths in the manga/anime. The series has a total of 64 important character deaths, with some being cathartic and others underwhelming. The series’ narrative junctures are deeply compelling, with some characters feeling sincerely felt even after the manga’s hopeful resolution.
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