kyoto student

(Source: Wikipedia.)

Utahime = DIVA (Literally.)

Akina Nakamori herself is currently under Utahime Records. Anyway, I wanted to focus on a fun detail.

A number of Akina Nakamori's studio albums are named "Utahime", but not necessarily numbered or arranged as is.

Just wanted to point out that she has currently put out these albums:

Utahime (1994)

Zero Album: Utahime 2 (2002)

Utahime 3: Shūmaku (2003)

Utahime 4: My Eggs Benedict (2015)

Yes, she has yet to put out Utahime 5. It'll be quite interesting IF ever Gege (a music fan) decides to put out 5-Uta before her.

Note: JJK 0 was "published" in 2017 & JJK itself was serialized in 2018.

His scene with Utahime and the scenes that come after with regards to their scene doesn't require bending over backwards to interpret it.

- "I'm here to save you, Utahime. You cryin'?"

- Gojo volunteered to cast the veil.

- Gojo left the auxiliary manager (and his classmates) behind.

- Gojo did not cast the veil. [Neither the two did...bc they assumed he would do it. Being already in their 2nd year, it should be routine. Yet Gojo forgot to do it.]

- Gojo wondered if the veil was actually necessary.

- Gojo said saving the weak was exhausting.

- Gojo used limitless to save Utahime (flashback). He also commented on how he has good eyes.

-- Gojo said the technique was a pain to do (esp. considering the vectors).

-- Gojo said the technique was exhausting. [He wasn't trying to complain beforehand, he was simply stating that the technique, in fact, exhausted him. Literally. Yet he still did it...for a mission that wasn't his.]

(Now, a lot of implications could be derived from here. But I guess I'll save it for next time.)

Bonus: Gojo started omitting steps (palm seals, etc.) post-Toji incident to perfect his technique. In the current arc in the manga, Gojo does not omit a single step, just like Utahime. Gojo also uses HP for the first time here, which he later uses again at 200% with Utahime.

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As much as I love their other scenes, S2 EP1 alone (and maybe EP2), in my opinion, already established what Utahime is to Gojo.

"What would you do if I was the traitor?" [Utahime to Gojo]

"Would you comfort me if I was the one crying?" [Mei-Mei to Gojo]

"As if, you're weak and you don't have the guts." [Gojo to Utahime]

"Nah, you wouldn't cry, Mei-san. You're strong." [Gojo to Mei-Mei, indirectly stating that Utahime was weak, further emphasized by Geto's line (Note: It was Geto who directly referred to Utahime as weak here.)]

Gojo, afaik, never called Utahime weak unless it was as a response to those two instances.

"What would you do if I was the traitor?"

*The first time I watched this scene (I was anime first before switching to manga after S1), I honestly thought Gojo would threaten Utahime just because I was just so used to him just about threatening everyone else. He didn't.

*This more than likely indicates Gojo knowing that this is an impossibility from Utahime, but I actually do kinda wanna know...what would Gojo do if Utahime was the traitor?

"Would you comfort me if I was the one crying?"

*Gojo did not answer whether or not he would comfort Mei-san, instead he reasoned out that it was an impossibility from Mei-san in the first place.

*But this begs the question...would Gojo comfort Mei-Mei if she was the one crying? What made Mei-Mei think to imply Gojo was "comforting" Utahime?

Mayhaps Gojo just doesn't ponder on the impossibility, that's why he doesn't answer it in the first place. But it's interesting how those were the instances when Utahime was referred to as weak by Gojo.

Just a thought.

(noticed this detail bc I was invested on the Ijichi, Gakuganji, and Utahime trio, and I was looking for instances when Utahime was called weak...by anyone really)

(CreepHyp, 2013)

In which I present to you a song that has not at all been stated/hinted on by Gege in his work with regards to Utahime nor Gojo (nor anyone really), but surprisingly perfectly encapsulates gojohime of JJK.

I saw tweets about this, and I thought I'd give the song a listen. (It's a banger, btw.) And woah...the lyrics are just...woah.

This is an attempt to explain the canon gojohime relationship dynamics through this song (with HC based on canon since Gege could only tell so much, and this is merely a miniscule dot of the whole story of JJK...still, it's fun to do).

NOTE: This post is in no way trying to impose itself as canon because I am not Gege. I repeat: I am not Gege. The song is just...well, interesting.

ALSO:

For the purpose of discussion, I will be retaining some Romanji instead of using the literal English translation.

Uta = Song

Utahime (Uta + Hime) = Singing Princess / Diva

GoUta (For Japanese) = 5 + Song

***

First Verse

Good-bye, Utahime

This is the last song, right?

I really love your song

Again tonight, Utahime, you're so beautiful

I really love you

I will be deliberately skipping this verse for this discussion/analysis (might include this in the next post).

The lyrics start strong though, immediately conveying the speaker's feelings towards "Utahime".

One interesting detail to note is the amount of times the name "Utahime" and the word "uta" is mentioned in this uta.

Another interesting detail to note in JJK canon is the amount of times Gojo has mentioned Utahime's name EVEN as he was talking to Utahime herself or talking about Utahime. It is also canon that Utahime is the only person Gojo calls by her first name without honorifics besides his classmates and his students. (Panda is unfortunately following suit.)

Second Verse

Good-bye, Utahime

Are you going to give an encore?

Since it's up to you, probably not

According to Gege, Gojo honestly thinks that their banter is just that..."banter". (Meanwhile, Utahime absolutely hates Gojo. The reason being? ...) Despite this, it has been shown how Gojo tiptoes around his interactions with Utahime. He even calls her "scary", whether it be a joke or not or both. (Note: In JJK 0, Gojo notes how "women sure are scary/scary" in reference to Rika. Just a random, completely unrelated fun tidbit.)

If that's the case, Utahime, how about some alcohol?

Even though I'm a lightweight

It is canon that Gojo accompanies Shoko (+ Ijichi and Nanami?) to drink regularly (although Gojo orders other sweet drinks instead). It is also well-established that Shoko and Utahime are good friends.

It is also canon that Utahime loves beer and is a bad drunk while Gojo doesn't and is a lightweight. At the same time, Gojo prefers sweets while Utahime dislikes it. Gojo's sweet tooth extends to his drinks as seen by him adding sugar cubes to his coffee during his call with Utahime. It is also implied that Utahime prefers other bitter drinks such as tea, which she serves Gojo during the Goodwill Event. It is interesting to note that Gojo accepts this drink.

The song begins with the first verse, giving a gist of the canon relationship dynamics Gojo and Utahime have, especially during Season 1 of the Goodwill Event.

Chorus

Singing, singing

But you were crying, weren't you?

Crying, crying

[Gojo, I wasn't...!]

I didn't even realize it

Gege initially wanted Utahime to belt out and do some karaoke as part of her CT. (Although, this might still happen in the future.) If it's also not obvious enough...I mean, her name literally translates to song.

What I do want to focus on is aside from the established fact that Utahime was/is a scaredy cat and a scream queen, Gojo sincerely thought that Utahime would be crying in this scene. This is either because: 1) Utahime is weak and the weak cry easily, or 2) Utahime is also...a cry baby.

Judging by what we know of both Gojo and Utahime, the idea that we can lean on is that Utahime does cry easily, irregardless of her being weak.

WHICH is interesting...considering of how much emphasis Gege has put on Utahime's expressions during the Shibuya Incident where Utahime looked like she's just about to cry any minute but never does. Even with the recent arc, Utahime looks quite...sad. Whenever the students are brought up in the equation, Utahime always has the same sad look on her face. But she was never shown to cry actual tears.

This verse opens up to Season 2 and its iconic "You cryin'?" scene. Utahime even attempts to insist that she wasn't crying (such a cutie sore loser lol). We will see the changes in Utahime in the last chorus.

Third Verse

Just for now, Utahime, can we start over?

I've also grown up a lot and thus have gotten pretty sentimental

Over 12 years worth of memories...both have grown a lot. Gojo himself has been quite sentimental as established by his own Blue Spring arc where his own youth was lost from him. Whereas the year prior to the current arc, he had to kill his one and only best friend.

I BELIEVE just as much as Gojo wishes to be given back his own youth, he is a realist and protecting the current youth is his priority. He wants to start anew, to look forward to the future (re: Give it Back, Special MV).

With regards to Utahime...

Utahime is someone who has never left and never changed with regards to her relationship with Gojo. She is a constant in his life as he is hers. But this dynamic also means that there exists a constant barrier and distance between them. Gojo is, in canon, a constant source of stress in her life.

But does that mean Gojo doesn't try just a little bit at least?

I would say so...as Gojo's infinity is almost always ON except in certain situations (Gege did encourage us to play detective).

Whether or not Gojo's infinity was actually off here is still a ???, which is fair! since the other contenders (Yaga, Nanami, and Itakugi) were in actual PHYSICAL contact with him. Utahime is the only one at a considerable distance. Again, that distance.

His infinity being OFF here could mean a proof of wordless trust and sense of safety.

His infinity being ON here could mean a sense of hesitation and wariness despite the trust he places on her for helping him out with the mole.

Either way, it's a distance that Utahime doesn't dare overstep, but instead retorts with the usual reaction that has been automatic for her and for both of them.

It's also a distance that Gojo doesn't dare take another step forward to because she doesn't. He has first-hand experience of trusting someone too much and then getting betrayed, after-all. Although he tries...only to an extent, though.

HOWEVER STILL, in order to actually take a step forward, it's necessary to start fresh and start over, which is hard when it's automatic and has been a habit of over a decade. Not only that, as per the MechaMiwa panel, is it actually worth it?

[Why can't they just get along?]

[They must get it from you, Utahime.]

[You're the only one I have a problem with!]

You always do whatever you want

It has been quite established in both the anime and manga that nothing (not her scarred face, her "gutlessness", her being weak and a semi-first grade sorcerer despite years, her CT that takes time, her being in close proximity with Gakuganji who directly answers to the higher-ups, not Mei Mei, not even Gojo, etc.), absolutely nothing stops Utahime from doing what she believes she should do. Utahime always does whatever she wants. We see it when Utahime goes to check-up on Miwa (despite knowing she doesn't have to) and when Utahime rushes to protect Miwa (despite knowing she shouldn't).

(((Funnily enough, I did not plan for this discussion to follow the flow of the manga/anime, but it does. So here we are...)))

Chorus

Utagoe, utagoe

But you were crying, weren't you?

Nakigoe, nakigoe

I didn't even realize it

[A look back to the chorus]

I believe that it has been established quite enough in the manga/anime that Gojo's quite a self-aware person. He's in tune with his feelings, thoughts, capabilities, etc. He is also quite aware about others' but still acts accordingly because he's Gojo.

Despite this, as stated in the Second Verse discussion and canon, he's not aware of what Utahime actually feels about him (perhaps because Utahime herself is in the forbidden zone?). Gojo doesn't realize that Utahime, in fact, hates him even though every time he strikes a conversation with her, he always seems to check up on her emotions.

[Are you mad?]

[I'm not mad, actually.]

[Are you crying?]

[I'm not crying!]

It's some sort of confusion, isn't it? Befitting emotion from someone who sees himself as "the honoured one" and who thinks differently from the rest, yet is still human.

If it isn't clear enough, this song is definitely from Gojo Satoru's POV.

Bridge

(a literal bridge to both POV)

The last 4 beats, your mouth moves

The last 4 beats, you sing

The least 4 beats, your feelings move

Sa-yo-na-ra

At this point, the bridge seems to capture the panel beforehand. Words, gestures, dance, music — all leading up to the four beats of Goodbye.

The number 4 is also quite relevant. In Japanese, it's an omen for death after-all. However, what comes after 4 is just as relevant (*ehem* 5 *ehem*). (4 is also relevant for Akina Nakamori. That's for another post, maybe.)

Final Chorus => JJK 223 + Utahime's CT

Singing, singing

But you were crying all along, weren't you?

Nothing, nothing

I didn't even realize it

Uta's CT is related to music and includes chants...thus, singing, singing.

Note that as of JJK234 and Gojo's unsealing, Utahime has not explicitly spoken a single word in the panels...thus, nothing, nothing.

[But you were crying all along, weren't you?]

[...I didn't even realize it.]

It'll be quite interesting to see a circle back to the first scene of young Gojo and Utahime at the near end of the manga.

Based on the song used to interpret canon (skipping the first verse), doesn't this actually convey Gojo's thoughts and feelings towards Utahime? A person he cannot convince, a teacher who loves drinking, a senpai who sings and cries, an accomplice who does whatever she wants, a sorceror who executes her CT through words and feelings, and a woman who he expects to bid farewell...

Yet he's the one bidding Sayonara, Utahime despite not knowing how she actually feels on 12/24.

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Enter Utahime's CT: Solo Forbidden Zone, Akina Nakamori and Kinku...I might create a separate post for this, but I will end it with these lyrics from Kinku that ties well with Oyasumi Nakigoe, Sayonara Utahime:

You plan on making me say goodbye

But that’s advice I just can’t take

...

This confusion is love, isn’t it?

Soon I’ll be in the forbidden zone

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Utahime is good-natured and yet stubborn. She tries her best despite all the odds stacked against her. She also loves and is loved by her students. That's quite easy enough to see in canon, right?

At the same time, Utahime hates Gojo...just as much as she is his Accomplice (re: JJK Chapter 63 title). For someone who seems so stringent with rules and doing things the "proper" way (confusion with Mei Mei's promotion proposal and CT which requires to commit to ALL steps), Utahime plays along with Gojo's baseball game (for the students, yes, but mainly for her, let's be honest here...she's the one into it the most), Utahime partners with Gojo to find the mole BEHIND the other superiors' back (for the students' safety), and Utahime aids Gojo in his most important fight despite the death of the higher-ups (for the youth and for the future of JJK).

She says one thing but does another. Love is confusion, isn't it? [Not saying anything romantic here. I'll leave it up to you all.]

[If a sorcerer asks another sorceror for help, it basically means, "Please, risk your life with me."]

Can't wait for Ch. 235 and the rest to come!