The following contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 219, "Bath, Part 4" by Gege Akutami, John Werry and Snir Aharon, available now in English through Viz Media.
The Jujutsu Kaisen manga started quite strongly with a variety of enthusiastic characters who showed limitless potential. The anime was likewise pushing shonen boundaries by introducing a cast of female deuteragonists and supporting roles, each as strong as their male peers. Gone were the days of a single, powerful male protagonist with a weak female counterpart -- the JJK women were serious fighters.
However, a key issue has arisen as the series has progressed. The female characters have come to be very lackluster, and those with the most potential are killed off at the first opportunity. The diverse cast has now been whittled down to a handful of men, while the fate of Jujutsu Kaisen's women is questionable at best.
Jujutsu Kaisen's Female Special Grades Were Both Defeated
Of all the special grade sorcerers introduced throughout Jujutsu Kaisen, only two have been female. Both Yuki Tsukumo and the ancient sorcerer Yorozu were high-level characters implied to have power that could rival the greats, but their arcs were cut drastically short. Yorozu's recent death in her battle against Sukuna means both female special grades were killed off in their first on-screen fights.
Yuki was first introduced in the "Gojo's Past" arc, where she was established as talented with a capable innate technique -- and somewhat of an anarchist following her life as a Star Plasma Vessel. She went head-to-head with the series' main antagonist, Kenjaku, and while she was the first to even land a blow on the ancient sorcerer, she was killed off just as she was becoming a major player in the story.
Similarly, Yorozu was introduced during the Culling Games after revealing she had possessed Tsumiki's body, using Megumi Fushiguro's sister as a vessel. She was then given a flashback, showing an interesting past and solidifying her characterization. Sadly, she was killed by Sukuna before getting to show off her strongest Cursed Technique or Domain Expansion. Both Yuki and Yorozu were snubbed just as they were becoming some of Jujutsu Kaisen's best characters, being reduced to one-and-done sorcerers with no future.
Nobara Kugisaki Could Have Been Shonen’s Feminist Icon
An original member of Jujutsu Kaisen's main trio, Nobara Kugisaki is often praised for her feminist approach and characterization. This rang true for a while but, like Yorozu and Yuki, her time was tragically short-lived. Nobara's innate technique was incredibly unique and she possessed some of the highest reserves of cursed energy in the manga, exhibiting the opportunity for exciting growth.
Kugisaki almost singlehandedly defeated the two Death Paintings, Kechizu and Eso, using her Straw Doll and Resonance techniques, but this was sadly the height of her potential. The sorcerer was killed by Mahito in the "Shibuya" arc, falling victim to Idle Transfiguration. As soon as the stakes were raised and the battlefield was deemed more dangerous, Nobara was wiped out while her weaker male counterparts survived. Many fans are skeptical of her death, but the sorcerer is yet to show any signs of a dramatic return.
Jujutsu Kaisen's Remaining Female Characters Are Forgotten
Jujutsu Kaisen's central females have almost all been killed off, and while many strong sorcerers remain, they've been left in the background. Kyoto Jujutsu High's Miwa made a minor appearance in Shibuya and is currently MIA in the Culling Games. Shoko, the resident doctor, is one of the few characters with the incredible Reverse Cursed Technique, yet she hasn't healed anyone in a shockingly long time. Utahime seems to exist for Gojo to poke fun at, while Mei Mei only cares about money and is clearly corrupt.
Hana Kurusu, who could have joined Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro to complete their trio, shockingly lasted a matter of chapters. Introduced as the only one who could free Gojo from the prison realm, her part was assumed to be highly important. However, Hana was defeated easily by Yorozu and has since been forgotten.
All of these characters were first introduced with the implication their impact could be lasting. They each have distinctive techniques but, as JJK is reaching its climax, they remain without character progression. The women of Jujutsu Kaisen have been left in the dust of their male counterparts and will probably never get the arcs that were deserved and expected.
Meanwhile, Jujutsu Kaisen's Male Characters Are Thriving
While JJK's female characters have been neglected for a while now, their male counterparts have been given many opportunities to show off. Hakari Kinji played a minor role in gaining points for the Culling Games but still received two epic fight scenes. Facing Charles Bernard and Hajime Kashimo, Hakari's technique had multiple chapters in the limelight, with even his opponents having more screen time than many female characters.
Yuta Okkotsu was also sent to the Culling Games to accumulate points. His time in the Sendai colony showed him exchanging blows with two ancient sorcerers and a special grade curse. Meanwhile, Miwa is similarly in the games but hasn't had a single fight scene, and Shoko is likely working hard to heal injured players behind the scenes. Mei Mei's brother, Ui Ui, is also playing a larger role in the games than his established sister.
The Death Painting Choso got to fight multiple times in Shibuya and also faced Kenjaku with Tsukumo. He got his redemption and began an entirely new character arc thanks to Yuki, while the latter met an early fate. Similarly, Itadori and Fushiguro are both going strong with their characterization still developing well.
Jujutsu Kaisen's Only Well-Developed Female Character Still Has a Problem
Of all the ladies who started Jujutsu Kaisen so strongly, Maki Zenin is the only one who has experienced significant development -- yet her arc is somewhat problematic. She has become one of the series' strongest characters, even capable of exchanging blows with Sukuna. However, Maki's image is not original. Her characterization is built entirely around being an exact replica of Toji Fushiguro. Both are disgraced Zenins with the same Heavenly Restrictions to grant their strength. Instead of being recognized as her own person, Maki is more often referred to as a copy of Toji.
Likewise, Maki's twin sister Mai had to die -- another female killed off -- for the former's Heavenly Restriction to be fully realized. That said, Maki is now the series' strongest female character and undoubtedly the most hardcore sorcerer around. She's become iconic within Jujutsu Kaisen's fandom and remains a highly valid role model for the female audience.
Jujutsu Kaisen could have broken boundaries with its exemplary female characters, but instead it cast them aside in favor of male sorcerers. While Yuta, Hakari, Itadori, Fushiguro and more are on track to reach fulfilling character arcs, the many female sorcerers have been cast aside and forgotten. The strongest women in the series couldn't survive even one fight, and even Maki, the only one to have a satisfactory arc, is built in the image of a man.