For the past four months, the Malaysian government has been talking with the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen to get permission to build a memorial for Kento Nanami.
Table of Contents
Nanami Memorial: Fans’ Tribute and Government Action
The Malaysian government has disclosed ongoing discussions with the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, Gege Akutami, facilitated by the franchise’s publisher, regarding the Nanami Memorial. They seek authorization to construct an official memorial for Kento Nanami at Kuantan Beach. These negotiations, initiated in December 2023, are experiencing delays due to copyright and intellectual property concerns, as reported by Sinar Harian.
Following Kento Nanami’s fictional demise in Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 42, many fans sought comfort by visiting Kuantan beaches in Malaysia, where Nanami had envisioned living one day. Some enthusiasts even established a makeshift memorial on Pantai Kempadang beach in Kuantan on Google Maps to pay tribute to the fictional character.
The sudden surge of attention placed Kuantan, a renowned tourist spot in Malaysia yet not widely recognized, in the spotlight. Responding to this, the Pahang State Legislative Assembly convened and announced plans in a December press briefing to contact Gege Akutami, the creator of Jujutsu Kaisen, to obtain permission for erecting an official Kento Nanami memorial at one of Kuantan’s beaches.
A Malaysian politician is optimistic about starting construction on the Kento Nanami Shrine from Jujutsu Kaisen in Kuantan soon.
Leong Yu Man, chair of Pahang’s Unity, Tourism, and Culture Committee, reportedly established contact with Akutami through a mediator in December. As of an April 16 press briefing, negotiations with the author and potentially MAPPA continue to secure rights for constructing an official memorial shrine for Nanami. Construction hasn’t begun yet, but Leong Yu Man expressed hope for a prompt resolution.
Furthermore, Leong disclosed at a February press event that the Pahang government aims to attract 13.5 million tourists in 2024, unveiling a series of exciting tourist events to draw both local and international visitors. These include the Tioman International Ocean Race, Kuantan International Kite Festival, and Pahang’s inaugural Malaysia International Tourism Expo-Pahang, “MIT Pahang 2024,” scheduled for October in Kuantan.
Someone created a “Kento Nanami Memorial Shrine” located in Kuantan, Malaysia. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/S5NmDlm1ya
— Jujutsu Kaisen contents (@JJKcontents) November 26, 2023
Moreover, Leong mentioned that the state government has earmarked RM5.2 million (around US$1.1 million) for tourism infrastructure projects in Pahang. Completing or initiating the Nanami memorial by MIT Pahang 2024 could greatly benefit the Pahang government, which appears eager to expedite the approval process with hopes of starting construction soon. No specific plans for the memorial have been disclosed as of now.
Of the many character deaths in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Nanami’s was particularly painful for fans. The sorcerer’s end was not only devastating but also brutally drawn out. Viewers watched as Nanami wavered in and out of consciousness in a merciless battle with Mahito. Facing his imminent death, he started to hallucinate a different version of his life in which he’d followed his dream to move to Kuantan Beach in Malaysia.
Although it’s not feasible for many fans to hop on a plane to Malaysia, they can still share Nanami’s dream. If the Nanami memorial is constructed, it is likely to receive plenty of official and fan-made media coverage, so Jujutsu Kaisen fans will certainly be able to enjoy the beach from afar, just as Nanami did, or until they can make it to their own beach in Kuantan. #Nanami Memorial
Fans were particularly deeply affected by the passing of Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Among the numerous character deaths depicted in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, Nanami’s demise struck fans with exceptional sorrow. His end was not only heartbreaking but also depicted in a particularly agonizing manner.
Viewers witnessed Nanami’s struggle as he battled Mahito, slipping in and out of consciousness in a relentless fight. Faced with his impending demise, Nanami began to envision an alternate life where he fulfilled his dream of residing in Kuantan Beach, Malaysia.
While it might not be feasible for many fans to travel to Malaysia, they can still connect with Nanami’s aspirations. The potential construction of the Nanami memorial is expected to garner significant attention from both official sources and fan communities, offering Jujutsu Kaisen enthusiasts a chance to experience the beach vicariously, akin to Nanami’s dream, until they can visit Kuantan or their own favorite beach destination.
For those eager to dive into the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, the series is currently available for streaming on platforms like Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Prime Video.
