Jujutsu Kaisen concluded its manga journey amidst a swirl of controversy, particularly surrounding the last-minute resurrection of Nobara Kugisaki during the climactic battle. Many fans voiced their dissatisfaction, arguing that author Gege Akutami’s decision felt poorly executed. One fan, identified on Reddit as @-Cool-_-beans-, took it upon themselves to create a fan manga, reimagining Nobara’s return as the character Angel, rather than Hana Kurusu.
The Fan Interpretation of Nobara’s Return as Angel
In this fan manga, Nobara is revived earlier than in the original storyline, following the Shibuya Incident arc. This allows her character to engage more deeply with the plot. The narrative transformation positions her as the new Angel, leading some fans to contend that this approach would have been far more satisfying than the final outcome presented in the official series.
The fan creation garnered a warm reception online, addressing two significant criticisms: the delayed return of Nobara and the underwhelming role of Angel. Both elements were among the most debated topics within the series, and this fan narrative suggested a more organic resolution to these issues. By reintroducing Nobara earlier, she could have developed meaningful interactions within the overarching fight against Sukuna, aligning with Angel’s long-standing mission since the Heian Era.
Community Reactions and Insights
Both Nobara Kugisaki and Hana Kurusu have been perceived as underutilized characters within Jujutsu Kaisen, with the Angel storyline often feeling like an afterthought. In many ways, these characters serve primarily as instruments for confronting Ryomen Sukuna, rather than embarking on their own individual arcs—a common criticism that resonates throughout the series’ cast.
This discontent from fans likely stems from the perceived importance of Nobara’s and Angel’s roles. Promoted as part of the main trio alongside Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara garnered less narrative focus compared to her counterparts. Moreover, Angel’s pursuit against Sukuna remains strikingly significant yet insufficiently developed.
“Unironically would be so much better than Hana,”someone said.
“This is soooo cool. I would have loved this, she could have more interactions with everyone, and it could have put more weight behind Angel’s hunt on ‘the fallen one’… If only jjk had more time and wasn’t so rushed,”another individual remarked.
“It’s insane that this feels less far-fetched than the actual Angel and Hana wtf was Gege thinking,”a different user pointed out.
Additionally, it is noteworthy that Angel and Nobara are not the only characters within Jujutsu Kaisen to receive such treatment.
“There were so many possibilities for Nobara even if she had to stay away from Yuji and Megumi if Gege feared she’d be too overpowered. Maybe in a different universe,”another fan expressed.
“Damn, is that Gege in disguise trying to redeem himself? This is magnificent!”another commenter added.
This fan art exemplifies the commitment and creativity of the Jujutsu Kaisen community, who continue to engage with the series post-conclusion, celebrating both its triumphs and shortcomings.