The inclusion of Naoya Zen’in in the story surprised the fan community with an emotional rollercoaster in JJK. Despite his initial deceptive appearance, the moment he spoke, all illusions were shattered. Describing this ambitious clan leader as “trash” seems insufficient to convey the lack of respect he receives from fans.
Naoya becomes a symbol of misogyny and the epitome of the questionable underbelly of the Zen’in clan. It’s important to emphasize that he’s not the only member with problems; the entire clan seems to lack virtuous individuals. Given the various vices attributed to Naoya, his unforgivable rudeness and power-hungry nature are especially evident. His cruelty even extends to eliminating blood relatives in pursuit of his own happiness.
Fans look forward to seeing Maki and Mai overwhelm him and his partners. However, Mai’s death came earlier than expected but not without consequences. The curse she entrusted to Maki led to the eradication of one of the three major clans, including Naoya.
Wait a minute—Naoya is dead? Chapter 152 quickly opens, bringing with it a significant villain in just a few frames. Naoya’s sudden death was a shocking revelation that surprised fans, sparking reflection on this unexpected turn of events.
Naoya JJK: Tragic death
The immediate realization made me say “Oh no, what just happened?” before I fell into a state of grief. There is no doubt that Naoya deserved his defeat; that has been clear since he was introduced. However, allow me to explain. Naoya’s death proved to be very graphic, causing me to scrutinize the plot (and Akutami, if only for a moment). The crux of the problem lies in its ugly nature.
For starters, the focus on Naoya after the Shibuya arc has us predicting that he could present a formidable challenge. This magician not only displays arrogance, greed, and contempt, but is also the future successor to the leadership of the Zen’in clan, without power (leading the Hei team).
In contrast to Ougi and Jinichi, Naoya is chosen by the main characters as the main target of revenge. Given our concern for him, our expectations point towards a more gruesome and satisfying end to his life. At the very least, we anticipated a fitting confrontation as the heir apparent to the clan leader.
As a villain with a special body and a higher-ranking member of the Zen’ins, Naoya met an unexpectedly simple death. In addition to being an enemy, Naoya is also a character with considerable potential. He embodies the type of villain one despises to the core but still yearns to witness the potential they contain. Okay, he’s dead; Maybe I can accept that (I can’t). However, his death came from an unexpected character – Maki’s mother.
Naoya’s death was too early and caused disappointment in JJK
I really grasped the poetic aspect. Naoya directs an insulting introduction to Maki and Mai’s mother in Chapter 138. These words may have affected her, perhaps even more deeply than they did us. We still don’t know about the time she endured the insults along with her daughters. It’s only natural that she harbors resentment towards Naoya and the Zen’in. All this is completely understandable.
However, she is a character who has never shown any affection towards her daughter. Her brief contact with Maki left her filled with disappointment. The words she uttered to Maki are arguably the harshest words a parent can direct towards their child, especially when they are intending to kill them.
And then, suddenly intending to avenge his daughter in her final moments? It simply doesn’t add up. What caused this sudden change of heart? Furthermore, Maki’s mother is absent from Mai’s flashback. If her actions were supposed to be out of motherly love, then where had she been all this time? While the two sisters were suffering, their mother seemed to make no effort to understand their situation. What a disappointment.
Unfortunately, Shigemo’s death seems more plausible than Naoya’s. This disappointment comes from the great potential I envisioned for Naoya’s character.
Conclusion
In short, Naoya Zenin’s death in JJK is a poignant moment, adding a layer of tragedy and complexity to the story. The circumstances surrounding his death reveal the harsh realities of the Jujutsu Wizarding world, where power struggles and family conflicts often take center stage. The fallout from Naoya’s death will likely continue throughout the series, affecting the characters and relationships. As the story unfolds, Naoya Zenin’s tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes and emotional depth that Jujutsu Kaisen brings to audiences.
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