Nobara may still be alive, but Jujutsu Kaisen fans won't get the "return" they wanted if Gojo truly is back

Modified May 18, 2024 06:53 GMT

Jujutsu Kaisen and how Nobara's return is pretty much pointless at this point (Image via MAPPA).

The spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 260 have become the subject of discussion among fans of the series. With one of the panels implying the return of the supposedly deceased Satoru Gojo, only the following chapters will be able to confirm his anticipated appearance in the fight against Ryomen Sukuna. However, the Jujutsu sorcerer's arrival may eliminate the need for Nobara Kugisaki to return, who was killed by Mahito during the Shibuya Incident arc.

Many in the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom have theorized that Nobara is still alive based on a comment made by the Kyoto student Arata Nitta during the Shibuya Incident arc, but now, considering the point where the battle with Ryomen Sukuna is and the possible return of Gojo, there is no point for Kugisaki to come back. The truth of the matter is that a return at this moment in the manga would lower the stakes and be perceived as mostly fanservice.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series. Any opinion expressed here belongs to the author and not Sportskeeda.

Explaining why Nobara's return in Jujutsu Kaisen would be pointless if Satoru Gojo is confirmed to be alive

Spoilers for chapter 260 revealed the possibility of Satoru Gojo coming back to life, which is something that shocked the entirety of the anime and manga community. While the return of Gojo presents another series of consequences in the story, it also serves as a way to make Nobara Kugisaki's potential comeback completely useless.

Nobara died fighting Mahito in the Shibuya Incident arc, but fans supported the belief that she was still alive since the Kyoto student Arata Nitta told Yuji Itadori that perhaps the former could be treated, but he "shouldn't get his hopes up." The majority of fans held onto this brief exchange to support the idea of Nobara making a comeback.

Fans wanted Nobara to come back and help in the battle against Sukuna, who has been cornered by Yuji Itadori and Aoi Todo and pushed to his absolute limits. However, if Gojo is indeed alive and able to fight, the sorcerers' victory is all but assured, and a potential Nobara return will feel like a moment of plain appeasement for fans.

The legacy of Nobara's character

Nobara in the first season of the anime (Image via MAPPA).

There is no denying that Nobara made a strong first impression in the Jujutsu Kaisen series because of her personality and decent abilities as a sorcerer in the first couple of arcs. And as she was slowly building herself up, even helping Yuji defeat the Cursed Wombs and executing a Black Flash, fans were expecting more of her moving forward.

However, during the events of the Shibuya Incident arc, Nobara was taken out by Mahito and has been removed from the story while considered dead. While author Gege Akutami could bring her back on paper, her character is behind in terms of plot progression, and her role and development have massively stagnated for her return to feel worthwhile.

Final thoughts

The possible return of Satoru Gojo in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga would dwindle the impact of Nobara's return since she wouldn't be needed to defeat Ryomen Sukuna. The centuries-old sorcerer has been cornered by Yuji and Todo, so a version of Gojo that is capable of fighting would end the conflict, considering Sukuna's current state.

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