Jujutsu Kaisen: Should Nanami Have Lived?

In the fierce, chaotic atmosphere of Jujutsu Kaisen, death is never far off. Characters we cherish are often met with violent demise, and their absence creates a ripple effect. Not only on the plot, but on the viewing audience as well. Kento Nanami's death was one of the most heartbreaking in the series.

Many fans still ask: Should Nanami have lived? In my opinion, Nanami absolutely deserves to live. Kento Nanami wasn’t just another sorcerer. He was a rare kind of character—calm, responsible, and deeply thoughtful. From the moment he was introduced, he stood out from the often chaotic and emotionally driven world around him.

Nanami approached things with logic and care. Unlike many other jujutsu sorcerers, he didn’t seem to enjoy the violence of the job. Instead, he treated exorcising curses like a duty—something necessary, not something glorious. But nevertheless, that fight between him and Yuji against Mahito was so satisfying to watch.

What made Nanami so compelling was his story. He had once left the jujutsu world to work a regular job in an office, hoping for a normal life. But after experiencing the dull routine and seeing the suffering of ordinary people, he realized that ignoring his abilities and doing nothing to help wasn’t the answer either.

And so he re-entered the world of sorcery in Jujutsu Kaisen, not because he loved it, but because it was his duty. That sense of responsibility became a defining part of his character. This is one of many reasons why fans connected so deeply with him.

Jujutsu Kaisen pushed its characters to the limit in the Shibuya Incident. After Gojo Satoru, the strongest sorcerer and the pillar of the Jujutsu world, was sealed away, the other characters had to protect the Jujutsu world without him.

As Gojo, the strongest, was sealed, the next person in line to take on the mantle of main jujutsu sorcerer was Nanami. And he stepped up without hesitation. He led others, protected civilians, and held the line even as everything around him fell apart. His injuries piled up, and his body gave out, but he didn’t stop.

His final scene is still difficult to watch. Nanami, burned and barely standing, walks through a sea of destruction. In his mind, he thinks of Malaysia, a peaceful place he once dreamed of escaping to. At this point, anyone who has seen a sizeable amount of anime knows that it was a sign of the end.

When Mahito appears and kills him, Nanami doesn’t scream or beg. He simply accepts it, leaving his final words for Yuji Itadori, encouraging him to keep fighting. In his first altercation as the new main hero, he was killed.

Nanami’s death was powerful, but I believe it wasn’t necessary. He had so much more to give—not just in battle, but as a mentor. His relationship with Yuji was one of the most meaningful in the series. He offered him guidance, support, and stability.

After Gojo was sealed, Nanami was one of the only adult figures Yuji had left. His loss made Yuji more alone at a time in his life when he needed someone to lean on desperately. Nanami could have continued to be a guiding light, not just for Yuji, but for others in Jujutsu Kaisen. Their not having anyone older to lead them is another thing that would not have happened if Nanami were alive.

He wasn’t only a skilled warrior; he was sensitive, wise, and compassionate. Those qualities are rare in the Jujutsu Kaisen world, and losing them weakened the emotional foundation of the story.

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The Purpose of his death in Jujutsu Kaisen

Some fans argue that his death served a purpose. It raised the stakes and reminded us that no one is safe, not even characters we admire. And while that’s true, stories also need hope. Nanami was a reminder that you could be powerful without being cruel and that you could be deeply caring without being weak.

With all the people in Jujutsu Kaisen who lost themselves to pain and power, Nanami never compromised who he was. To keep him alive would be to keep that balance in Jujutsu Kaisen. Also, unlike Gojo, Nanami was humble. He was firm, nurturing, and very responsible.

It’s also important to consider the emotional weight of his death. For Yuji, watching Nanami die was another breaking point. After already losing people like Junpei and seeing so much suffering, losing Nanami pushed him further into guilt and despair.

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Conclusion

In the end, Jujutsu Kaisen doesn’t shy away from tragedy, and that’s part of what makes it so interesting. But that doesn’t mean every loss is necessary. Nanami’s death was impactful, yes—but I truly believe he had more to offer.

He could have continued to teach, to guide, and to protect. His story in Jujutsu Kaisen was about choosing to care in a world that made it hard, and that’s something the story needed more of, not less. So, should Nanami have lived? For everything he stood for, everything he gave, and everything he still could have been—the answer is yes.