Jujutsu Kaisen is an immensly popular shonen anime and manga series. As one of the main protagonists, Nobara Kugisaki is a powerful character with a unique cursed technique at her disposal. She is one of the three first-year students, and studies alongside Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro. Unlike most shonen anime where the female protagonist is depicted as being underpowered, Nobara is one of the best fighters at Jujutsu Tech. She is proficient with her Straw Doll Technique, and has gone against incredibly strong opponents.
Though, despite her achievements, Nobara is considered a Grade 3 sorcerer. At the end of the first season, she was recommended for promotion to Grade 1 alongside Yuji and Megumi. Though, recommendation alone isn't enough to get someone promoted right away. There are several factors involved in the process. Yet, for some reason, none of the first years were promoted to Grade 1 before the Shibuya incident happened. Nobara has faced off against multiple special-grade threats -- meaning, she may qualify for one of the highest ranking positions a sorcerer can have.
Innate Cursed Technique
Nobara's innate curse technique, the Straw Doll Technique, involves utilizing jujutsu through a set of tools including a hammer, nails, and straw dolls. She channels her cursed energy through these tools and utilizes a number of different techniques including sharing damage between her straw doll and her target. Her signature techniques, Resonance and Hairpin are both examples of this.
Resonance allows her to apply curse energy to her target using a straw doll as an effigy or a lost portion of a target. The range of the technique is very broad, and the effect varies between the difference in strength between her and her target. The effect also depends on the value of the lost object. Her other technique, Hairpin, causes the cursed energy-imbued nails to erupt with explosive force. This results in the shroud of cursed energy around the nails expanding until the point of detonation.
Nobara's Many Strengths
Many sorcerers have their signature fighting styles that hae been honed to better suit their innate cursed technique. Some are better at close combat, while others excel at long-distance fights. However, Nobara is one of the few exceptions to the rule. She can hold her own against a variety of enemies, in various different ways. Her ability to propel nails embued with cursed energy allows her to attack her opponents from long range. Meanwhile, her hammer can also be used in close combat to pummel opponents. During her battle with Momo Nishimiya, Nobara cleverly uses her nails to trap her. She first used her technique to ground Nishimiya, who specializes in air combat.
Once on the ground, Nobara uses her hammer to end the fight with a quick blow to the head. This combination of close-quarters and ranged attacks is always effective against any kind of opponent, and gives her an edge during battles. Not only that, she is the most logical and creative sorcerer among the first-years at Tokyo Jujutsu High. She can think on the spot and make rational decisions. During her battle with Nishimiya, she uses the surroundings to her favor and neutralizes Nishimiya's mobility advantage. Likewise, in her fight against Kechizu and Eso, she turns the situation by inserting her nails into her arm and indirectly hurting both brothers. Due to her technique, she linked her blood with Kechizu and Eso, which meant if she was in pain, the other two will be as well. This strategy ultimately led to her and Yuji earning victory against these extremely powerful foes.
Weaknesses
A jujutsu sorcerer not only trains to improve their cursed technique, but their mind and body as well. Nobara is a talented and versatile sorcerer who is gifted in several combat styles. Compared to the start of the series, her skills have grown significantly, which shows her knack for being a successful jujutsu sorcerer. However, if there's one that she finds herself lacking is her mobility.
Her physical strength isn't all great, which often proves a disadvantage during her fights. When up against powerful cursed spirits who are fast and efficient, Nobara's weakness can even be considered fatal. During her fight with Eso, she was unable to evade his attacks. Therefore, Yuji had to carry her and escape to come up with a battle strategy and have a chance of winning.
The Fight Against Eso and Kechizu
Yuji and Nobara's fight against Eso and Kechizu was more than intense. Eso and Kechizu were both special-grade curses threatening the two students. During their battle, Nobara and Yuji were struck by Eso's Wing King. The technique had the ability to decompose a person's body, though the end result would be similar to that of a poison. Eso was very confident that he had the upper hand in the fight until Nobara began maniaclly laughing. As she acknowledges Eso's strength, she stabs herself with her nail and activates her technique, Resonance, signficantly injuring both Eso and Kechizu.
She reveals that until Eso releases his cursed technique, they will continue to play a deadly game of chicken. The fight went on, and after seeing Kechizu's condition, Eso quickly releases his technique. Nobara and Yuji simultaneously use Black Flash to attack Kechizu. She sends an empowered nail through Kechizu's head, while Yuji attacks Eso and blows the latter's right arm off. Eso, though devastated with his brother's death, escapes the scene to save himself. He swore to get back and take revenge on Nobara after he has recovered. However, Nobara takes his arm and uses her straw doll technique to give him a fatal injury. Yuji quickly catches up and deals a final strike to him.
Is Nobara Kugisaki Strong Enough To Be Special-Grade?
Despite all her talents and accomplishments, Nobara is not yet strong enough to be a special-grade sorcerer. That title is reserved for sorcerers with such immense strength that their destructive potential is immeasurable. Nobara has plenty of room to grow.
She needs to increase her mobility and stamina as well as learn how to use a domain expansion before being considered for that title. However, that doesn't mean she is weak enough for her current status. Nobara is easily strong enough to be a first-grade sorcerer who can go toe to toe with special-grade curses.