Nightwing's Jujutsu Kaisen Easter Egg Will Tickle Anime Fans - Can You Spot More Cameos?

Warning: Spoilers for Nightwing #113

Summary Nightwing #113 honors Dick Grayson's legacy as a hero with cameos like Yuji Itadori from Jujutsu Kaisen.

Yuji Itadori and Deku from My Hero Academia prove that the best sidekicks surpass their mentors' weaknesses.

The issue celebrates the evolution of sidekicks like Robin and Deku into powerful heroes, with hidden manga/anime references.

With the recent celebration of Nightwing's landmark 300th solo issue and his evolution from orphaned sidekick to top-tiered DC Universe hero, the creators used the occasion to also low-key honor other sidekicks/disciples, such as Jujutsu Kaisen's Yuji Itadori. This small cameo fits Dick Grayson's thematic arc as a sidekick — a kind of hero who grows into the heroic force their mentors always believed they would.

Much of Nightwing #113 — by Tom Taylor, Marv Wolfman, Daniele Di Nicuolo, and Bruno Redondo — is devoted to honoring Dick Grayson's remarkable nearly 90-year career as a crime fighter, and in doing so it acknowledges how important he has become to the DC Universe. The issue also includes a great scene that drops an interesting Jujutsu Kaisen reference for the keen-eyed Nightwing fan who also follows the hit supernatural battle anime/manga.

After an award ceremony for Dick and Barbara Gordon, Dick invites a large group of friends to celebrate with him at Marv and George's Pizzeria in his city of Blüdhaven. There, among the party-goers, manga and anime fans will immediately recognize Yuji's telltale image in a black jumper walking away with a red pizza box on the left-hand side of the splash page by Di Nicuolo.

The "Marv and George" in the pizzeria's name refers to Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, who created the Nightwing character in Tales of the Teen Titans #44.

Related Nightwing Cements His Importance in the DCU with Historic Legacy Issue Nightwing’s legacy is secured as his series secures its legacy renumbering to honor the 300th issue of Dick Grayson’s trailblazing solo series.

Nightwing Proves that Sidekicks Are Heroes, Too

Yuji Itadori Also Stands Apart from Gojo's Shadow

Close

As manga and anime fans know, Yuji, for all intents and purposes, serves as the catalyst for the Jujutsu Kaisen saga. Born with superhero-like strength and power, Yuji inadvertently revives Ryomen Sukuna, the most feared sorcerer in history. As Sukuna's vessel, Yuji is marked for extermination by Jujutsu Sorcerer command, but is saved from death by Satoru Gojo: the most powerful sorcerer presently living. According to Satoru, Yuji Itadori has the potential to become the person who once and for all ends the threat of Sukuna.

Accordingly, like Batman and Dick Grayson's Robin before them, Gojo sets out to train and develop Yuji into the best sorcerer he can be. The process is never as smooth as Gojo thinks it should be but, just like Nightwing, Yuji ultimately develops into a lethal sorcerer who seems to have all the skills and abilities to put Sukuna to rest. Interestingly, Di Nicuolo did not stop the cameos with Yuji. A closer look at the party scene reveals another sidekick turned hero in My Hero Academia's Izuku Midoriya, otherwise known as Deku. The green-haired Deku can be seen sitting at one of the tables in conversation with other party-goers.

Nightwing Proves that Best Sidekicks Overcome Their Mentors' Weaknesses

And So Does Deku from My Hero Academia

Like Nightwing and Yuji, Deku began the story as a lovable, funny, and interesting alternative to some of the more serious and powerful characters. Ultimately, also mirroring Nightwing, Deku slowly becomes, with the help of his mentor All Might, key to the defeat of Tomura Shigaraki. Considering Yuji and Deku's presence in Nightwing #113, it's highly probable that there are additional manga/anime references ready to be discovered by eagle-eyed fans.

In the ever-expanding world of comics and anime, these crossover references serve as delightful surprises for fans eager to discover concealed treasures. This time, DC Comics' Nightwing delivered a special treat for Jujutsu Kaisen fans in Nightwing #113, available now from DC Comics.

NIGHTWING #113 (2024) Writer: Tom Taylor, Marv Wolfman

Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo, Bruno Redondo

Colorist: Adriano Lucas

Letterer: Wes Abbott

Cover Artist: Bruno Redondo

Nightwing Nightwing is the superhero moniker given to various vigilante heroes in the D.C. universe. Nightwing is depicted as a warrior who fights from the shadows, utilizes near-superhuman agility and expert combat skills, and tends to have several tools at their disposal. Though Nightwing began with Kal El/Clark Kent, Nightwing has since been primarily associated with Dick Grayson, a former Robin who grew into the new role. Created By Edmond Hamilton , Curt Swan , Marv Wolfman , George Perez Alias Dick Grayson, Clark Kent, Power Girl, Chris Kent Alliance Teen Titans, Titans, Outsiders, Justice League, Batman Inc., Birds of Prey, Young Justice Race Human, Kryptonian Franchise D.C.