23 most shocking and devastating character deaths in 2023

Characters from Jujutsu Kaisen

It wasn't just The Last of Us that gave us some palpitations with a side of depression this year. One of the best anime out there, Jujutsu Kaisen, has also decided it would take lessons from Game of Thrones and completely kill off favorite characters in uncalled-for ways. Here are two of them that really hurt.

Warning: these videos are not for children, much like Jujutsu Kaisen as a whole.

13) Riko

Riko's death in Jujutsu Kaisen hit us right in the feels. I was absolutely not expecting it in the least, at least not like that.

Riko, this bright, spirited young girl, full of life and dreams, tragically snatched away from the world. Her death was like a gut punch, leaving us all gasping. She was a beacon of hope for Jujutsu sorcerers, she had a big destiny to fulfill. Watching her bond with Geto, my anime husband Gojo, and others was like seeing a beautiful flower bloom, only for it to be cruelly wilted in an instant.

The way the vibes shift when Toji, unseen to us, shoots her in the head while she's in the middle of a very inspiring monologue... I don't think it will ever leave me. It's the kind of moment where you're just sitting there, staring at the screen, thinking, "No way, they can't just do that."

But they did, and it left a mark. Riko's death wasn't just sad; it was a beautifully tragic moment that showed just how cruel and unpredictable the world of Jujutsu Kaisen can be. I think we all learned that this year.

14) Nanami

Let me take a really deep sigh because I hate this one.

Nanami's death in Jujutsu Kaisen was just CRUEL. It hit us like a ton of bricks. Nanami, a character we all grew to love for his cool demeanor and deep sense of responsibility, finds himself in the thick of a brutal battle. He's not just any Jujutsu sorcerer; he's the guy who traded a soul-sucking office job for the life of being an anime daddy fighting curses, showing us that it's never too late to chase after what really matters. I have to admit, I kind of took this to heart as a lesson myself.

But here's the kicker — in his final moments, he thinks not of himself, but of his students, especially Yuji Itadori. It's like he's passing the baton, entrusting the future to the next generation. The way he fought with everything he had, even when the odds were stacked against him, made his end all the more tragic. His passing left a hole in the hearts of fans, a testament to how a character can be more than just a part of a story, but someone who inspires and resonates deeply with the audience.

Nanami wasn't just a character — he was a symbol of selflessness and dedication, making his death a poignant and tear-jerking moment in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen... the show that hates me.