Nobara Kugisaki(釘崎野薔薇, Kugisaki Nobara) is the tritagonist of the Jujutsu Kaisen series. A first-year student at Tokyo Jujutsu High, she is a grade 3 jujutsu sorcerer studying under Satoru Gojo alongside Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro. Nobara’s fiery personality and sharp wit complement her skill as a sorcerer, making her a formidable ally and a critical member of the team. Her confidence, combat prowess, and unwavering sense of self set her apart, ensuring her role as a key figure in the fight against curses.

Nobara Kugisaki is a confident, brash, and fiercely independent young woman with an unshakable sense of self. Her greatest determination lies in staying true to who she is, embracing both her femininity and her strength with equal pride. Nobara refuses to conform to societal expectations or let others dictate how she should act, boldly declaring her identity as both a “pretty girl” and a powerful fighter. At first glance, Nobara’s personality can come across as abrasive and arrogant. She introduced herself to Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro with dismissive remarks about their perceived inferiority, and she bickered with Yuji throughout their first mission together. Her sharp tongue and strong-willed demeanor often make her seem standoffish. However, beneath her tough exterior lies a deeply caring and loyal individual. Nobara is willing to go to great lengths for her friends and allies, even if she rarely allows others to see her softer side. Over time, her bond with Yuji and Megumi strengthened as they faced dangerous missions together. Despite her often blunt or combative interactions with them, Nobara values their companionship and considers them her closest allies. Her unwavering character, combined with her ability to balance strength and vulnerability, makes Nobara a compelling and relatable individual who stands out both as a fighter and as a friend.

Even from a young age, Nobara Kugisaki stood out as outspoken and unafraid to be different in her small countryside village. She found the town stifling and the people around her narrow-minded, often feeling like an outsider herself. Nobara was drawn to newcomers, particularly Fumi and Saori, with the latter becoming a significant influence on her life. Nobara admired Saori’s grace and individuality, which stood in stark contrast to the rigid conformity of the village. When Saori was unjustly forced out of the neighborhood, Nobara was deeply disheartened, and the incident fueled her determination to escape to the big city. She aspired to reunite with Saori one day and promised Fumi that the three of them would meet again in Tokyo. As a jujutsu sorcerer, Nobara remains fiercely true to herself, carrying herself with unwavering confidence. Among her peers, she often takes charge during missions, even when Yuji and Megumi hesitate or disagree. While the two boys sometimes panic in intense situations, Nobara remains level-headed and resolute, showcasing her ability to think clearly under pressure. This confidence extends into her combat style, where she doesn’t shy away from trash-talking opponents, adding a playful yet fierce edge to her personality. Conversely, she loves joking around in more relaxed settings, adding a dynamic charm to her interactions with others. Among her peers and seniors, Nobara particularly admires Maki Zenin. She is inspired by Maki’s strength and resilience, especially her fight against the oppression of her own family. Maki’s ability to stand tall despite her struggles resonates with Nobara, who shares a similar determination to carve her own path and stay true to her principles. Nobara’s boldness, wit, and steadfast individuality make her a formidable fighter and an irreplaceable member of her team, embodying the perfect balance of strength and self-expression.

• Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro: Nobara and Yuji serve as the class clowns among the first-year students at Tokyo Jujutsu High, often teaming up to annoy Megumi for laughs whenever they get the chance. Despite her teasing and pretending to be indifferent toward the boys, Nobara deeply values their friendship. She was visibly upset after Yuji’s apparent death following the Detention Center incident, showing her emotional side when she shed a tear upon his revival. Her reaction, however, came with her characteristic bluntness, as she immediately demanded an apology from him for making her worry.
• Momo Nishimiya and Mai Zenin: During the Kyoto Goodwill Event, Nobara was irritated when Momo Nishimiya insulted Yuji while defending Mai Zenin’s unpleasant behavior. Nobara’s dislike for Mai stems from her contrasting admiration for Maki Zenin. While Nobara respects Maki for rising above the oppressive environment of the Zenin Clan, she sees Mai as someone who hides behind excuses rather than taking responsibility for her actions. Momo’s monologue about the Zenin Clan’s gender-based discrimination only annoyed Nobara further, as she rejected sentiments rooted in “boys versus girls” arguments. Instead, Nobara stood by her principles, openly criticizing Momo’s defense of Mai and urging her to judge people by their actions rather than their backgrounds. She cited Yuji’s good character as an example, emphasizing that life is not just about fulfilling a role or succumbing to circumstances.
• Nobara’s ability to balance her empathy with her refusal to excuse poor behavior highlights her strong moral compass. Her straightforward and uncompromising nature often leads her to stand her ground, even in the face of difficult discussions or opponents.

When Nobara first enrolled at Tokyo Jujutsu High, Satoru Gojo had his doubts about how a girl from the countryside would handle the gruesome realities of fighting cursed spirits. Satoru believes only someone borderline insane would willingly become a jujutsu sorcerer, as the profession’s brutal nature often drives others to quit. Despite her disdain for “crazy people,” Nobara quickly proved she had the necessary resolve and perhaps even a touch of madness herself. Nobara passed Satoru’s initial test with flying colors, showcasing her adaptability and tenacity. Her fearless determination shone brightest during her battle against the Death Painting brothers, Eso and Kechizu. In a high-stakes fight, Nobara willingly inflicted pain on herself by stabbing her own arm with nails to counter Eso’s cursed technique. Remarkably, she smiled while doing so, taking pride in outsmarting her opponents. Nobara demonstrated an unflinching resolve, injuring herself further to ensure her survival and ultimate victory alongside Yuji. Together, they defeated and killed both brothers. While Yuji was overcome with guilt over taking lives, Nobara was relatively composed. She acknowledged that killing was an unavoidable part of being a jujutsu sorcerer and accepted it as part of the job. Sensing Yuji’s distress, Nobara comforted him in her own unique way, declaring that they were “accomplices” in the act, subtly reminding him that they shared the burden together. This moment exemplified Nobara’s practicality and emotional resilience, as well as her loyalty to her comrades. Nobara’s ability to balance her ferocity in battle with a grounded perspective on the sorcerer’s life highlights her complexity as a character, making her both relatable and admirable.

During the Shibuya Incident, Mahito outmaneuvered Nobara by switching places with his double, catching her off guard. Seizing the opportunity, Mahito landed a direct hit to her face with Idle Transfiguration, inflicting devastating damage. Realizing her life was likely coming to an end, Nobara took a brief moment to reflect on her past. She recalled her time in the village, where she had believed that “crazy people” only stepped on others to get ahead. However, her perspective shifted after meeting the wild yet inspiring sorcerers at Jujutsu High, who showed her that even chaotic lives could hold deep meaning and purpose.

As Nobara faced her potential final moments, Yuji watched in horror and anguish. Despite her injuries, Nobara managed a smile, reassuring Yuji with her characteristic confidence. She asked him to tell everyone that “it wasn’t so bad in the end,” showing her acceptance of her fate and unwavering resolve.

Against all odds, Nobara survived her injuries and made a recovery by December 24. Despite the traumatic experience, she maintained her high spirits, quickly catching up on the events that had unfolded in her absence. After learning about the raid against Sukuna, Nobara was eager to join the fight, determined to contribute by using Resonance to help defeat the powerful curse. When Nobara reunited with Yuji and Megumi, her playful nature resurfaced. She and Yuji wasted no time in returning to their usual antics, attempting to surprise Megumi with the fact that she was alive. The trio’s reunion marked a moment of lightheartedness and camaraderie, as Nobara made up for lost time with her closest allies while preparing for the battles to come.

• Nobara’s surname, Kugisaki (釘崎)is composed of the kanji 釘 (kugi), meaning “nail, peg, or tack,” and 崎 (saki), meaning “cape” or “peninsula.” Her first name, Nobara (野薔薇), includes the kanji 野 (no), meaning “field” or “wilderness,” and 薔薇 (bara), meaning “rose.” Together, her name evokes imagery of strength and natural beauty, reflecting her resilient and confident personality as well as her ability to thrive in challenging circumstances.
• Nobara Kugisakistands just shy of 160 centimeters (approximately 5’3″), giving her a petite yet athletic build that complements her agility and precision as a jujutsu sorcerer.
• Nobara Kugisakiwon the Best Girl award at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022, highlighting her popularity and impact as a standout female character inJujutsu Kaisen.