PERF: use pc.utf8_normalize

[jbrockmendel]

• closes #xxxx (Replace xxxx with the GitHub issue number)
• Tests added and passed if fixing a bug or adding a new feature
• All code checks passed.
• Added type annotations to new arguments/methods/functions.
• Added an entry in the latest doc/source/whatsnew/vX.X.X.rst file if fixing a bug or adding a new feature.
• I have reviewed and followed all the contribution guidelines
• If I used AI to develop this pull request, I prompted it to follow AGENTS.md.