For any Jujutsu Kaisen fans this does contain spoilers for S2 ‘Shibuya Incident’ and partial spoilers to ‘Hidden Inventory’. 

Jujutsu Kaisen, created by Gege Akutami, an ever-popular anime that most watchers will be familiar with even if you’ve never indulged, most would recognise some of its more popular characters such as Satoru Gojo. However, in this article I will be discussing two characters who contribute to the backbone grade of jujutsu society. Grade 1. 

Jujutsu Kaisen (JJK) sorcerers exist to exorcise ‘Cursed Spirits’. Cursed spirits are essentially monsters created from negative human emotions such as hatred. However, Cursed Spirits are not visible to everyone, only certain people can see them, but cursed spirits can attack anyone no matter of this. Jujutsu Sorcerers have a ranking system that goes from Grade 4 to Special Grade. Grade 4 is the lowest grade, the weakest if you will, then special grade being the elite. In the world of JJK there are only 4 special grade sorcerers: Satoru Gojo, Yuta Okkotsu, Yuki Tsukumo and Suguru Geto, yes Suguru is a Special Grade, watch the movie! Then the next best thing is Grade 1. There is a wide variety of Grade 1 Sorcerers throughout this universe, and though some would argue the strongest Grade 1 would be Naobito Zenin, former head to the Zenin clan, due to his limited screentime, I couldn’t say for certain. In this article I will be discussing the comparison between Grade 1 sorcerers Kento Nanami and Mei Mei and how I believe they are the pinnacle of Grade 1 Sorcery. 

You are first introduced to Kento Nanami in Season 1 Episode 9 of Jujutsu Kaisen, ‘Small Fry and Reverse Retribution’ where he quickly becomes a fan-favourite character. He is presented as a stoic and no-nonsense character who is shown as strong and disciplined, he is even given praise from Satoru Gojo, the strongest human in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, which is not lightwork. We see this as he defeats the cursed spirits in episode 9 with ease while the main character, Yuji Itadori, struggles. Nanami, despite his stoic and tough exterior it is shown that he cares deeply about the students of jujutsu tech. We see this through his actions and when he states: 

 S1 E9: “I’m the adult here and you’re still a child. I have a duty to prioritise your life over my own”  

To Yuji Itadori. This can also be seen in JJK0 when he steps in to take on the cursed spirit that had already massacred many young jujutsu sorcerers during the ‘Night Parade of 100 Demons’, stating, “Let me handle this one”, then killing it with ease, showing his sheer strength. We also see this selfless nature in S2 E42, ‘Right and Wrong’, when he returns to the active battleground in Shibuya while being gravely injured in an attempt to save everyone else, fighting off the transfigured humans until he meets his unfortunate demise by the hand of the special grade cursed spirit Mahito. We see throughout seasons 1, 2 and the movie JJK0 that Nanami is a loveable, strong yet vulnerable character. We see Nanami throw himself into his work both when he is a salaryman and as a Jujutsu Sorcerer. We see as he actively puts his life at risk to protect the lives of children throughout the series, showing his selflessness. He is the epitome of a Grade 1 Sorcerer through his strength, resilience and physical power. This can be backed up by Nobara Kugisaki’s statement in Season 2 Episode 36, ‘Dull Knife’ when she states: 

“He’s on another level. This is what it means to be a Grade One Sorcerer!” 

We also see this in Season 1 Episode 10, ‘Idle Transfiguration’ when he fights special grade cursed spirit Mahito who states: “No wonder you’re strong” and “Your speed’s impressive” The enemy giving him direct praise for his feats as a Sorcerer being more proof to his durability and strength.

Another aspect about Nanami is his cursed technique. A cursed technique is essentially the powers of a jujutsu sorcerer. Nanami developed a strong technique, known as ‘Ratio Technique’. This allows him to draw a line along his target using a ratio of 7:3 and creates a weak point at exactly that location. He can create this along more than just the targets height or wingspan and this can be designated to various parts. This also affects more than just living creatures as well, working also on inanimate objects. This technique can also be strengthened if Nanami has to go into ‘overtime’. This is a time-based pact that activates if he is forced to fight past his designated hours which increases his cursed energy, making him more powerful. This shows his strength as a Jujutsu Sorcerer.  – Season 1 Episode 11, ‘Narrow-minded’. Therefore, this shows us due to his strength, compassion and selflessness, Nanami is one textbook example of what it means to be a Grade 1 Sorcerer. This can also be seen through direct quotes from other characters, displaying that he is seen this way in the canon universe. 

Now on the other hand we have Mei Mei, who first debuts in Season 1 Episode 17 ‘Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event – Group Battle 3 -’, this name is an alias, however we are never told her real name or age, we only know she is Satoru, Geto, Nanami and Shoko’s upperclassman. She is instantly introduced as a morally grey character. Mei Mei is a sorcerer who will only work in exchange for money.  This is very quickly suggested when asked which schools’ side she is on, and she responds, “Which side? I’m on the side of money of course.” This is also shown in Season 2 Episode 25 ‘Hidden Inventory’ when Utahime Iori says “Mei Mei, did you overcharge them again?” regarding her fees as a sorcerer. This can also be seen in the ‘Jujutsu Kaisen official character guidebook’ which tells you her hobby is ‘collecting money’, and her stress comes from ‘taxes’. Mei Mei is given a very distinct character design with pale blue hair in two braids, one behind her and one braid covering half of her face. 

Mei Mei is shown to be an extremely capable and physically strong sorcerer; this is shown in JJK0 when she takes on a hoard of cursed spirits with her massive axe, flipping through the air and slicing them in half with ease.  We see through her combat in the show and through other characters remarks, such as Satoru Gojo, when he says in S2 E25: “Huh. But you wouldn’t cry Mei. You’re strong” and “It is odd it took so long since Mei was with you” Showing that even the strongest sorcerer of the modern jujutsu age believes she is strong and capable at what she does. Mei Mei is seen to defeat even special grade cursed spirits without much trouble, such as Smallpox Deity, shown in Season 2 Episode 38, ‘Fluctuations’. With the help of her younger brother Ui Ui.  Mei Mei claims that the way she values others’ lives is by their service potential to herself, as that’s what matters to her. – S2 E36 ‘Dull Knife’. 

Mei Mei’s cursed technique is ‘Black Bird Manipulation’. This gives her the ability to control crows, which on its own was considered weak, leading her to train her body extensively to be able to fight without relying on her technique, however, it got to a point where she was unable to physically train or enhance her body with cursed energy any further. Despite this she began to embrace and develop her technique. – S2 E36 ‘Dull Knife’.  Mei Meis extension technique is bird strike. This forces her crow to commit suicide which releases the limit on the crows typically low amount of cursed energy, as she makes it slam into her opponent. Ui Ui states that “No human is able to stop her Bird Strike, with the sole exception of Satoru Gojo of course.” – S2 E38 ‘Fluctuations’. This technique also allows her to share senses with her crows, such as vision, being able to see what they see through her eyes, for example she uses the crows to scope out Meiji Shrine Station from the surface in S2 Episode 32 ‘Shibuya Incident’. 

This is where the comparisons are made. Despite both being Grade 1 Sorcerers, these two characters could not be any more different. While Nanami prioritises the lives of the young sorcerers, willing to put his life on the line for them, Mei Mei has questionable morals when it comes to sorcery, only providing her services and skills if she is offered a substantial amount of money in exchange. This is also shown in the shows ‘Shibuya Incident’ arc when Nanami, despite receiving devastating burn wounds from the cursed spirit Jogo, returned to the battleground in an attempt to save others – S2 E42, while Mei Mei with minimal injuries fled using Ui Uis cursed technique, ‘Teleportation’, out of Shibuya. S2 E46. Another interesting yet cruel contrast is that Nanami expressed desires of living in Malaysia before his death to live a peaceful life, while Mei Mei ended up fleeing to Malaysia from Shibuya to safety, essentially living Nanami’s dream despite Nanami being deserving of it instead.  

These are two realistic interpretations of a sorcerer, on one hand, Nanami believes in saving others and having strong morals, protecting those younger than him. However, on the other hand, why should sorcerers constantly put their lives at risk if not for a reward? This is their job too at the end of the day, therefore making it reasonable to demand a large sum of money for their services.