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Apr 23, 2021 25 tweets 13 min read Read on X
Nanami Kento ~ The Mystery of a Hero

Spoilers Below

Character Analysis Thread Image
In many anime and manga, there is the trope of the businessman that is utilized to express a sense of seriousness in particular situations or used to introduce a tone of solemnity upon a story's characters or story arc. Nanami Kento is this character in Jujutsu Kaisen.
However, Gege creates a character that rejects the businessman's lifestyle after coming to the realization that the world of a sorcerer is a lesser evil. With his experiences in both spheres, Nanami Kento is dubbed as reliable by Gojo ImageImage
Even though he rejects the lifestyle of a businessman he still exudes the aura and qualities of a salaryman while living the unordinary life as a sorcerer. He separates and gives himself a distinct presence in the story. ImageImageImageImage
Nanami was a character that didn't have an "inviting personality" we saw this as Yuji was teaming up with him and trying to break the ice with his new teammate. A tough cookie to crack, an easy way to describe most of Nanami's personality/character. ImageImage
But even with the unbreakable ice sheet that Nanami puts in front of himself to block people out, his experience in both the worlds of Jujutsu and the "standard" world, allows him to express himself in cryptic ways.
The first peak into Nanami's perspective, he mentors Yuji on what it means to be an adult. This makes sense considering Yuji is a child but in the Jujutsu world, the age of a sorcerer doesn't matter. It's a world where you give up your life to protect and serve with no regrets. ImageImage
"The accumulations of little despairs make you an adult" is an analogy. Same with sorcerers, you progress through the despair you experience. You disconnect from your humanity when you become a sorcerer, similar to how you disconnect from being a child as you become an adult ImageImage
It was only after Yuji killed, being aware of the despair in death, he graduated to being a Jujutsu Sorcerer. Nanami wanted Yuji to understand the lesson of death before he accepts him as a sorcerer because through death your path as a sorcerer opens. ImageImageImage
It's a very mysterious way of giving someone their first lesson into the world of a jujutsu sorcerer. Nanami's experiences with death propelled him into the bottomless spiral of curses. He was mentoring Yuji to inspect if he's ready to take on this job and lose his innocence ImageImage
The innocence of a non-sorcerer and the innocence of a child are connected in Nanami's eyes. That innocence is something that Nanami doesn't want someone to forget because of what he had to go through in his life. Understanding that innocence truly is precious. ImageImage
Nanami went back to the lifestyle of a businessman after leaving the world of jujutsu to find that innocence again but he was never able to grasp it he was just in another endless spiral doing nothing and being useless. Image
Later he saw that even if both worlds are "idiotic" at least as a sorcerer he would be able to protect the innocence of others. The value in innocence is what forced Nanami back into the world of the sorcerer and made him content with death. ImageImageImageImage
In his final moments, he still holds onto the value of innocence, arguing with the apparition of his deceased classmate to pass on his sufferings to Yuji. In the end, Nanami held his tongue and told Yuji to continue on with a smile. Image
Nanami's strict and uninviting personality is a product of his value of innocence. The accumulation of his sufferings is something he holds in, just as a jujutsu sorcerer seals the shadow of their negativity within themselves., Nanami is a representation of that
The Junpei arc was really important because we were able to get a glimpse into Nanami. Mahito being a character that was matched up with Nanami is masterful writing by Gege because Mahito is someone who can look into the soul and comprehend how constraint your soul is. ImageImage
Nanami, someone who conceals his being from others, and Mahito, who can see through others via the soul. A very impactful dichotomy that shows itself. The first time Mahito touched Nanami he wasn't able to transfigure him because Nanami was unconsciously protecting his soul. ImageImageImage
This is a feat that can be done depending on the sorcerer but it's very impactful because that unbreakable ice sheet that Nanami places in front of himself, not letting others in, was shown here through the unconscious protection of his soul.
Nanami and Yuji's dynamic is effective because if there's anyone that is going down a similar path as Nanami it would be Yuji. Within the story, the experience Yuji had with Nanami will continuously echo within him. ImageImage
A closed book allows people to wonder about the contents within, but it truly takes someone with a similar story to have the heart to understand it.

Nanami never told Yuji about his struggles, but Yuji knew in his heart that Nanami suffered and decided to carry those sufferings Image
Nanami even in a state where death could come at any moment, still took it upon his self to try to protect the state of the sorcerers. The motivation Nanami had while in a state of reflection would confuse a reader because Nanami never believed in doing more than necessary ImageImageImageImage
But there is an eerie irony here that not even Nanami understands. He keeps moving BECAUSE he wants to find meaning and purpose. It's as if he wanted to be a hero rather than a jujutsu sorcerer. Unconditionally protecting the innocence of others makes him a hero. Image
A man who simultaneously lives both the life of the standard and the un-standard is a cliche of a hero. Nanami didn't need to be the strongest character to be a hero, a simple act of gratitude from the innocent was fulfilling enough to accept death without regret. Image
The mystery in Nanami lies within the pieces in his life he conceals because the full picture could taint the innocence of another. Regardless, his influence on others wasn't something that is concealed and neither is his presence within the story.
An Enigma - A Tough Cookie To Crack - A Hero

~ Nanami Kento. Image

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More from @SatorIzzy

Feb 5, 2023
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Chapter 212 Jujutsu Kaisen Thread
There are cycles in life that must be broken in order to attain real peace within ourselves. However, these rhythms that we get accustomed to end up defining ourselves, thus we transition our dispositions into action.
Actions which can be a result of one's flaws, actions that can display one's suffering. An internal to external transformation that gives us a glimpse into the burdens someone may be carrying or ideas that may be keeping them captive.
Read 21 tweets
Sep 16, 2021
The reason why people struggle with Shibuya's build-up is that it isn't obvious on both sides. It's a one-sided mystery where the sorcerers were literally blindsided by it.
Looking at the build-up from only the perspective of the sorcerers alone will make someone believe that Shibuya was something that was spontaneous and didn't feel built up which if you look at it from that perspective yes that is how it would seem.
Just because both sides didn't fully prepare for what was coming doesn't mean that there wasn't build-up. From chapters 1-82, it's pretty clear in hindsight just how well Shibuya was planned and how preparations were well hidden from the sorcerer side.
Read 21 tweets
Apr 27, 2021
Been thinking about the Culling game, and what our cast needs to do in order to free Gojo, and Hana Kurusu might just be bait. Kenjaku doesn't make oversights and I doubt he is unaware that there is a player that could free Gojo and that the sorcerers will be after her ImageImage
It honestly forces me to believe that something is up with Hana. Maybe a relationship with Sukuna causing discourse where a fight is inevitable making the chances of her helping us very slim? But If there is a fight, it's possible that Yuta's copy ability can work on Hana-- ImageImageImage
Making Yuta be the one to free Gojo from the prison realm instead of Hana. Kenjaku has underestimated Yuta and I'm not sure if he's fully aware of his capabilities as of this moment. I could be wrong obviously but I do feel that him underestimating Yuta will bite him in the-- ImageImageImage
Read 5 tweets

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