Gege once refused to bring back Nobara in Jujutsu Kaisen, but this time it’s justified

The speculation surrounding Nobara’s possible comeback has been ongoing among the Jujutsu Kaisen fanbase ever since her presumed demise in chapter 144 at the hands of Mahito. The absence of any confirmation of her death only added fuel to these speculations. These theories reached their climax during the Sukuna battle, where the sorcerers had to find a way to defeat Sukuna while also protecting Megumi.

Despite the Jujutsu Kaisen exhibition seemingly confirming that Nobara’s return was unlikely, chapter 263 revealed a new set of abilities that far surpass her own. Though fans had hoped for her comeback in the final arc, Angel and Yuji’s actions effectively put an end to that possibility.

This article includes spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen series.

Jujutsu Kaisen: The Overpowered Abilities of Yuji and Angel Diminish Nobara’s Powers

Nobara as shown in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

The fandom has been abuzz with numerous theories following Nobara’s unexpected return, just like after Gojo’s potential return in chapter 236. Fans had high hopes for her appearance during the Sorcerers vs. Sukuna showdown, speculating that her unique ability to target souls with a straw doll would enable her to attack Sukuna’s soul without causing harm to Megumi.

Despite potentially being a viable solution to the complex dynamic between Sukuna and Megumi, chapter 263 suggested that there may be a way to directly remove Sukuna’s soul from Megumi’s body through a combination of abilities.

Throughout the Sukuna fight, Yuji’s punches have persistently chipped away at the barrier dividing Megumi and Sukuna’s souls. In Chapter 263, it was also revealed that Yuji’s attacks were specifically focused on dismantling this barrier, with even greater success thanks to a binding vow that Yuji had made.

Yuji’s binding vow guaranteed that each of his attacks would gradually chip away at Sukuna’s soul within Megumi’s body. Although this may not be sufficient to rescue Megumi, Angel’s cursed technique could potentially compensate for this.

Angel’s cursed technique, Jacob’s Ladder, creates a column of “holy light”that can eliminate both cursed energy and cursed spirits. This includes seals that are similar to those found in the prison realm. As Sukuna is primarily made up of cursed energy and is attached to Megumi’s body, there is a high chance that Yuji’s attacks could successfully remove Sukuna entirely.

Ryomen Sukuna as shown in the manga (Image via Shueisha)

The sorcerers have chosen to extract Sukuna’s soul rather than simply injuring him and sparing Megumi. As a result, Nobara’s technique is rendered unnecessary as Yuji and Angel are fulfilling the same role with greater effectiveness.

The details regarding Angel’s cursed technique and its ability to produce a “holy light”from inherently negative cursed energy remain a mystery. This, coupled with Angel’s references to a higher being as “God,”strongly suggests that Angel will play a crucial role in Sukuna’s downfall.

Final Thoughts

The recent Jujutsu Kaisen exhibition unveiled that Nobara and Nanami’s deaths were premeditated prior to the start of the Shibuya Incident arc by Gege. Nonetheless, there remains a chance for Nobara’s return, as the plot of this series is known for its unpredictability.

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