This article includes spoilers for “Jujutsu Kaisen.” Reader discretion is
advised.
According
to a visitor to the exclusive “ Jujutsu Kaisen ”
exhibition in Japan, series creator Gege Akutami has
revealed why characters like Mei Mei and others have not yet been eliminated.
In contrast, fan-favorite cast members such as Satoru Gojo and Kento
Nanami , have had some of the most tragic deaths in the series, being
widely mourned by readers of the manga and viewers of the anime.
The information comes from exhibition visitor @lightningclare via
Twitter, who posted a thread summarizing some of the most interesting
revelations from the exhibition. In two posts, Akutami apparently
mentioned that he doesn't kill off characters whose deaths don't "have the
appeal of making readers sad ," naming Mei Mei, Ino, and Ijichi
as examples.
This could confirm many readers' suspicion
that Akutami has killed off so many beloved characters intentionally to
hurt the audience . Emotional appeal weighs heavily in
all narratives , especially anime and manga, but a growing number of
fans have expressed that they feel like they are being manipulated by the
creator, considering many of the deaths in " Jujutsu Kaisen" "
have been unnecessary.
While Akutami may choose which characters to kill
based on what would be most emotionally painful for the audience, the
same logic could apply to characters who are still alive ; if they are
not especially significant to the audience, their deaths could also be
considered unnecessary. Many readers have continued to affirm their confidence
in Akutami as a renowned narrator, believing that the imminent end of “ Jujutsu
Kaisen ” will clarify his outstanding questions.
Some comments from fans in response to this
revelation include:
- « “Characters
who do not have the appeal to make readers sad do not need to die.” And
then he kills an unknown and poorly cared for group of sorcerers from
Geto's group. .
- « So
you're writing based on audience reaction and not because you have an
established story? ».
- « Thanks
to the fact that Nobara's death was so obviously and blatantly telegraphed
that aliens could pick it up, and the fact that it didn't make any sense,
I didn't feel anything when she died except 'I don't care what happens in
the manga afterward.' for S2 to end .
- « Mei
Mei didn't die because characters who don't have the appeal of making
readers sad when they die don't need to die? So she wants to kill someone
loved by her fans? Does she use her feet to think? ».
- " I
always felt like the other guys died in that part, and I more or less
confirmed it after what Larue and Miguel mentioned about Shibuya ."
- " So
he's killing characters just to make people sad... cool ."
- « So
you gave us the background of random characters like Kaso, Higgy, Takaba,
etc., so that we would feel sorry or sad for them? You failed, Gege. I
never cared about them, even after those complicated/forced backstories
that just made me want to say 'I don't care about these side characters .'”
- « “Mei
Mei didn't die because characters who don't have the appeal to make
readers sad when they die don't need to die.” Lmao, and he thinks Nobara,
Nanami, and Gojo's deaths did that? "Those three didn't make anyone
sad, just upset because of how trashy it was ."
Akutami's reveal has sparked
considerable debate among fans about the intent and execution of
character deaths in "Jujutsu Kaisen . " Is Akutami's
reasoning correct? Are deaths justified only because of the emotional impact
they cause? These questions continue to resonate in the fan community, as they
eagerly await the outcome of this popular series.
Source: @lightningclareon Twitter
