{"id":802,"date":"2025-03-31T09:39:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-31T08:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/?p=802"},"modified":"2025-03-31T10:48:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T09:48:01","slug":"mei-mei-and-kento-nanami-the-pinnacle-of-a-grade-1-sorcerer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/2025\/03\/31\/mei-mei-and-kento-nanami-the-pinnacle-of-a-grade-1-sorcerer\/","title":{"rendered":"Mei Mei and Kento Nanami, the pinnacle of a Grade 1 Sorcerer"},"content":{"rendered":"

For any Jujutsu Kaisen fans this does <\/span>contain<\/span> spoilers for S2 \u2018Shibuya Incident\u2019 and partial spoilers to \u2018Hidden Inventory\u2019.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jujutsu Kaisen, created by Gege Akutami, an ever-popular anime that most<\/span> watchers will <\/span>be familiar with<\/span>\u00a0even if <\/span>you\u2019ve<\/span> never <\/span>indulged<\/span>, most <\/span>would recognise some of its <\/span>more popular characters such as Satoru Gojo<\/span>. However<\/span>, in this article I will be discussing two characters who contribute to the backbone <\/span>grade of jujutsu society. Grade 1.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jujutsu Kaisen<\/span> (<\/span>JJK) sorcerers<\/span> exist to exorcise \u2018Cursed Spirits<\/span>\u2019.<\/span> Cursed spi<\/span>rits are <\/span>essentially monsters<\/span> created<\/span> from negative human emotions<\/span> such as hatred. However, Cursed Spirits are not visible to everyone, only certain people <\/span>can see <\/span>them<\/span>, but cursed spirits can attack anyone no matter of this. <\/span>Jujutsu Sorcerers <\/span>have a ranking system that goes from Grade 4 <\/span>to<\/span> Special Grade. Grade 4 is the lowest grade, the weakest if you will, then special grade <\/span>being the <\/span>elite<\/span>. In the world of <\/span>JJK there<\/span> are only <\/span>4 special grade <\/span>sorcerers: Satoru Gojo, Yuta <\/span>Okkotsu<\/span>, Yuki <\/span>Tsukumo<\/span> and Suguru Geto<\/span>, yes Suguru is a Special Grade, watch the movie!<\/span>\u00a0Then the next best thing is Grade 1. There is a wide variety of Grade 1 Sorcerers<\/span> throughout this universe, and<\/span> though<\/span> some would argue the strongest<\/span> Grade 1<\/span> would be <\/span>Naobito<\/span> Zenin<\/span>, former head to the <\/span>Zenin<\/span> clan, due to his limited screentime, I <\/span>couldn\u2019t<\/span> say for certain<\/span>. <\/span>In <\/span>t<\/span>his article I will be discussing the comparison between Grade 1 sorcerers Kento Nanami and Mei <\/span>Mei<\/span> and how <\/span>I believe they<\/span> are the <\/span>pinnacle <\/span>of<\/span> Grade 1 Sor<\/span>cery<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You are first introduced to Kento Nanami in Season 1 Episode 9 of Jujutsu Kaisen<\/span>,<\/span> \u2018Small Fry and Reverse Retribution\u2019<\/span> where he quickly becomes a fan-favourite character.<\/span> He<\/span> is presented as a stoic and no-nonsense character who is shown as strong and disciplined<\/span>, he is even given praise from Satoru Gojo, the strongest human in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, <\/span>which is not lightwork. We <\/span>see this<\/span> as he defeats the cursed spiri<\/span>ts in episode 9<\/span> with ease while the main character, Yuji <\/span>Itadori<\/span>, struggles. Na<\/span>nami<\/span>, despite his stoic and tough exterior it is shown that he cares deeply about the students of <\/span>jujutsu tech. We see this through his actions and when he <\/span>sta<\/span>tes<\/span>:<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0S1 E9<\/span>: <\/span>\u201c<\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> the adult here and <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> still a child. I have a duty to prioritise your life over my own<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To Yuji <\/span>Itadori<\/span>. <\/span>This can also be seen in JJK0 when he steps in to take on the <\/span>cursed spirit that had already<\/span> massacred many young jujutsu sorcerers during <\/span>the \u2018<\/span>Night Parade of 100 <\/span>Demons’<\/span>, <\/span>stating<\/span>, \u201cLet me handle this one\u201d, then <\/span>killing it with ease, showing his sheer strength.<\/span> We<\/span> also see this selfless nature in <\/span>S2 E42<\/span>, \u2018Right and Wrong\u2019, <\/span>when he returns to the<\/span> active<\/span> battleground in Shibuya while being gravely injured <\/span>in an attempt to<\/span> save everyone else<\/span>, fighting off the transfigured humans until he meets his unfortunate demise by the hand of the special grade cursed spirit Mahito.<\/span> We see throughout seasons 1, 2 and the movie JJK0 that Nanami is a <\/span>loveable, strong yet vulnerable character. We see Nanami throw himself into his work both when he is a salaryman and as a Jujutsu Sorcerer. <\/span>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\u2019s statement in Season 2 Episode 36, \u2018Dull Knife\u2019 when she states:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>He\u2019s<\/span> on another level. This is what it means to be a Grade One Sorcerer<\/span>!<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We also see this in Season 1 Episode 10, \u2018Idle Transfiguration\u2019 when he fights special grade cursed spirit Mahito who <\/span>states<\/span>: \u201cNo wonder you\u2019re strong\u201d and \u201cYour speed\u2019s impressive\u201d <\/span>The enemy giving him direct praise for his feats as a Sorcerer being more proof to his durability and strength.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Another aspect about Nanami is his cursed technique. A cursed technique is <\/span>essentially the<\/span> powers of a jujutsu sorcerer. Nanami developed a strong <\/span>technique<\/span>, know<\/span>n as <\/span>\u2018Ratio Technique<\/span>\u2019.<\/span> This allows him to<\/span> draw a line along his target using a ratio of 7:3 and crea<\/span>tes a weak point at exactly that location. He can create this along more than just the targets height or wingspan and this can be <\/span>designated<\/span> to various parts. <\/span>This also affects more than just living creatures as well, working also on inanimate objects. This technique <\/span>can also be strengthened if Nanami <\/span>has to<\/span> go into \u2018overtime<\/span>\u2019.<\/span> This is a time-based pact that activa<\/span>tes 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<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>– Season <\/span>1 Episode 11, \u2018Narrow-minded\u2019.<\/span> Therefore, this shows us due to his strength, <\/span>compassion<\/span> and selflessness, Nanami is one textbook example of what it means to be a Grade 1 Sorcerer. This <\/span>can also be <\/span>seen<\/span> through direct quotes from other characters, displaying that he is seen this way in the canon universe.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0 \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Now on the other hand we have Mei <\/span>Mei<\/span>,<\/span> who<\/span> first <\/span>debuts<\/span> in <\/span>Season 1 Episode 17 \u2018Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event \u2013 Group Battle 3 -\u2019, 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. <\/span>She is instantly introduced as a morally grey character. Mei <\/span>Mei<\/span> is a sorcerer who will only work in exchange for money<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span> This is very quickly suggested when asked which <\/span>schools’<\/span> side <\/span>she is <\/span>on,<\/span> and she <\/span>responds, \u201cWhich side? <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> on the side of money of course.\u201d<\/span> This is also shown in Season 2 Episode 25 <\/span>\u2018Hidden Inventory\u2019 <\/span>when <\/span>Utahime<\/span> Iori says \u201cMei <\/span>Mei<\/span>, did you overcharge them<\/span> again<\/span>?\u201d <\/span>regarding<\/span> her fees as a sorcerer<\/span>.<\/span> This can also be seen in the \u2018Jujutsu Kaisen official character guidebook\u2019 which tells you her hobby is <\/span>\u2018<\/span>collecting <\/span>money<\/span>\u2019<\/span>,<\/span> and her stress comes from <\/span>\u2018<\/span>taxes<\/span>\u2019.<\/span> Me<\/span>i <\/span>Mei<\/span> 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.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mei Mei is shown to be an extremely capable and phys<\/span>ically strong sorcerer; this is shown in JJK0 when she takes on a hoard of cursed spirits with her massive axe, flipping <\/span>through<\/span> the air and <\/span>slicing them in half<\/span> w<\/span>ith ease<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> We see through <\/span>her combat in the show and through other characters<\/span> remarks, such as Satoru Gojo, when he says<\/span> in S2 E25:<\/span> \u201cHuh. But you<\/span> wouldn\u2019t<\/span> cry Mei. <\/span>You\u2019re<\/span> strong\u201d<\/span> and \u201cIt is odd it took so long since Mei was with you\u201d<\/span> Showing that even the strongest sorcerer of the modern jujutsu age believes she is strong and capable at what she does.<\/span> Mei <\/span>Mei<\/span> is seen to defeat even special grade cursed spirits without much trouble<\/span>, such as Smallpox Deity,<\/span> shown in Season 2 Episode 38, \u2018Fluctuations\u2019<\/span>. With the help of her younger brother Ui <\/span>Ui<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span> Mei <\/span>Mei<\/span> claims that the way she values others’ lives is by their service potential to herself<\/span>, as <\/span>that\u2019s<\/span> what matters to her. – S2 E36 \u2018Dull Knife\u2019.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mei Mei\u2019s cursed technique <\/span>is <\/span>\u2018<\/span>Black Bird Manipulation<\/span>\u2019<\/span>.<\/span> This gives <\/span>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 <\/span>without relying on her technique, however, it got to a point where she was unable to physically train or enhance her body<\/span> with cursed energy<\/span> any further<\/span>. Despite this she began to embrace and develop her technique. – S2 E36 \u2018Dull K<\/span>nife\u2019<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>Mei Meis <\/span>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. <\/span>Ui <\/span>Ui<\/span> states that \u201cNo human <\/span>is able to<\/span> stop her Bird Strike, with the sole exception of Satoru Gojo of course.\u201d <\/span>– S2 E38 \u2018Fluctuations\u2019.<\/span> 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 <\/span>she uses the crows to scope out Meiji Shrine Station<\/span> from the surface<\/span> in S2 Episode 32 \u2018Shibuya Incident\u2019.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

This is where the comparisons are made. Despite both being Grade 1 Sorcerers, these two characters <\/span>could not be any more different. While Nanami prioritises the lives of the young sorcerers<\/span>, willing to put his life on the line for them, Mei <\/span>Mei<\/span> has questionable morals when it comes to sorcery, <\/span>only pro<\/span>viding <\/span>her services and skills if she is offered <\/span>a substantial amount of money in exchange<\/span>. This is also shown in the shows \u2018Shibuya Incident\u2019 arc when Nanami, despite receiving devastating burn wounds from the cursed spirit <\/span>Jogo, return<\/span>ed to the battleground<\/span> in an attempt to<\/span> save <\/span>others<\/span> \u2013 S2 E<\/span>42<\/span>, while Mei <\/span>Mei<\/span> with minimal injuries <\/span>fled u<\/span>sing Ui <\/span>Uis<\/span> cursed technique, \u2018Teleportation\u2019,<\/span> out of Shibuya.<\/span> S2 E46<\/span>. Another interesting yet cruel contrast is that Nanami expressed desires of living in Malaysia before his death to live a peaceful life, while M<\/span>ei <\/span>Mei<\/span> ended up fleeing to Malaysia from Shibuya to safety, <\/span>essentially living<\/span> Nanami’s dream <\/span>despite Nanami being deserving of it instead.<\/span> <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These are two realistic interpretations of a sorcerer, on one hand, Nanami believes in saving others and having strong morals, protecting <\/span>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<\/span> the day, <\/span>therefore<\/span> making it reasonable to demand <\/span>a large sum<\/span> of money for their services.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For any Jujutsu Kaisen fans this does contain spoilers for S2 \u2018Shibuya Incident\u2019 and partial spoilers to \u2018Hidden Inventory\u2019.\u00a0 Jujutsu Kaisen, created by Gege Akutami, an ever-popular anime that most watchers will be familiar with\u00a0even if you\u2019ve never indulged, most would recognise some of its more popular characters such as Satoru Gojo. However, in this …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9952,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-anime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9952"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":872,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802\/revisions\/872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/in\/notredamenow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}