Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2’s finale, aired on December 28, 2023, marked the conclusion of the Shibuya Incident arc and the start of the Culling Games arc.
It introduced Yuta Okkotsu, the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen 0, and hinted at his future role as a potential antagonist in season 3 with his declaration to eliminate Yuji Itadori personally.
But why did he say so?
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen manga and the season 2 ending of the anime.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s season 2 finale introduced Yuta Okkotsu, who declared his intent to eliminate Yuji. In Chapter 143 of the manga, Yuta revealed that he became Yuji’s executioner to protect him from others who might kill him, but Yuta stabs Yuji to fulfill his vow and then uses his Reversed Cursed Technique to revive him.
Explained: Why Did Yuta Okkotsu Say He Will Kill Yuji Itadori?
The highly acclaimed anime series Jujutsu Kaisen concluded its second season with a spectacular finale that left fans both surprised and excited.
The episode primarily adapted chapters 136 and 137 from the manga while incorporating elements from chapter 139, providing a thrilling and suspenseful conclusion.
At the center of this finale is the introduction of Yuta Okkotsu, a character whose dramatic entrance immediately grabs the audience’s attention.
Yuta exhibits his heroism by rescuing a girl from the clutches of a menacing cursed spirit. This heroic act sets the tone for his character’s role in the series.
Following his introduction, Yuta engages with the Jujutsu Society’s superiors, expressing apparent indifference towards Yuji Itadori, who is also known as Satoru Gojo’s student.
However, Yuta’s apparent indifference serves as a deliberate misdirection.
The manga reveals that Gojo had previously briefed Yuta about the situation, and his true intentions are far more complex than they initially appear.
One pivotal moment is Yuta recounting an incident during the Shibuya Incident arc, where Yuji severed Inumaki’s arm.
During this exchange, Yuta declares his intention to personally eliminate Yuji, seemingly positioning him as a potential primary antagonist for the upcoming Culling Games arc.
However, the complexity of Yuta’s character becomes evident as the narrative unfolds.
In chapter 137 of the manga, it is revealed that the halt to Yuji’s execution was lifted after news of Gojo’s sealing broke out, and Yuta Okkotsu was assigned to be Yuji’s executioner by the higher-ups.
This revelation bewildered fans, as Yuta is Gojo’s pupil, and his actions seemed contradictory to his character.
In chapter 143 of the manga, we witness a significant twist in the story as Yuji wakes up, and Yuta breaks into a relieved smile.
Yuta then explains that he became Yuji’s executioner to protect him because anyone else would have killed him.
The higher-ups, aware of Gojo and Yuta’s close relationship, forced Yuta to form a binding vow, compelling him to kill Yuji.
However, the higher-ups didn’t know that Yuta possessed the Reversed Cursed Technique, allowing him to heal its user or anyone else.
Yuta’s strategic move involved stabbing Yuji in the heart to stop his heartbeat, complying with the binding vow, and then using his technique to revive him, effectively saving Yuji’s life.
Chapter 142 of the manga also hinted that Yuta didn’t truly want to kill Yuji.
When Yuta stabbed Itadori, Sukuna, the King of Curses, recognized that something was different and sat down with a smile. Yuta managed to execute Yuji’s supposed death sentence while ensuring his survival.
So, the finale delivers a mix of suspense, action, and character development that leaves viewers eagerly awaiting the next installment of the series.
Looking ahead, Jujutsu Kaisen has officially secured a renewal for its highly-anticipated third season, which will focus on adapting the intense Culling Games arc.
While the release date remains undisclosed in production, fans anticipate its arrival in early 2025.
The upcoming season promises to introduce a slew of new characters, including Hakari, Angel, and sorcerers from various eras, notably from the Heian period.
With the groundwork laid in the second season’s finale, the future of Jujutsu Kaisen is poised to deliver even more thrilling and captivating episodes for fans to enjoy.
What are you expecting from season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen? How would you rate season 2?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.