Jujutsu Kaisen: Rika's Fate In Shinjuku Showdown, Explained  (2024)

Jujutsu Kaisen is in a very intense phase right now, as the battle between Yuta Okkotsu and Ryomen Sukuna rages on. Fans know these two to be incredibly powerful fighters, and quite easily the strongest that are currently alive. Sukuna has already asserted his dominance on the battlefield time and again, while Yuta is currently utilizing the body of Gojo, who fans know to be the strongest modern sorcerer.

This clash lived up to all expectations, and it is only a matter of time before it concludes as well. However, an underrated aspect of this incredible clash is the presence of Rika, which the author seems to be shifting focus towards now.

How Rika Manifested Fully In Shinjuku Showdown

Rika Helped Yuta Greatly In Shinjuku Showdown

Rika has played a great role in the Shinjuku Showdown Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen. At first, fans saw Rika help Yuta copy Kenjaku's cursed technique once he was dead. Following that, Yuta and Rika both headed to the main battlefield, where Sukuna was being taken on by Yuji. In that battle, Yuta did great. Of course, eventually, Yuta ended up losing to Sukuna, and he was chopped down using the World Splitting Dismantle. It was Rika who ended up saving Yuta, and thanks to her, he was able to survive a bit longer than Gojo.

Otherwise, his fate would have been very similar to that of Gojo, and he would have lost his life then and there. Rika managed to keep him alive, and she transported him to Shoko. There, work needed to be done on his body, but Yuta would certainly not have survived that without a plan. According to those in charge, his body was not in a condition where it could be healed easily. As such, Yuta decided to make use of Kenjaku's cursed technique and crawl inside Gojo. At this point, Gojo's body was fully stitched, and Yuta simply had to do a brain transplant. Then, all he had to do was use his reverse cursed technique at full throttle to bring Gojo’s body back to life. As soon as that happened, Yuta left for the battlefield and engaged Sukuna in combat.

As soon as Yuta arrived on the battlefield, fans were utterly stunned. At first, the vast majority of the fans believed that it was Gojo. However, once Gojo opened his eyes and lifted his head, the scars on his forehead were clearly visible. At that point, it was clear to the fans that it was either Kenjaku or someone who was utilizing the power of Kenjaku. The latter ended up being true, and it was revealed that Yuta had copied Kenjaku's technique and that he was essentially in control of Gojo's body. This isn't something that Yuta decided on his own, however. This was something that was discussed before Gojo versus Sukuna even began, and Gojo himself permitted him to use his body. In fact, Gojo and Yuta swapped bodies in order to train and this allowed him to raise the level of his barrier techniques as well. Now, Yuta is fighting against Sukuna inside of his domain, and it is going to be an incredibly exciting clash, undoubtedly.

Yuta's Potential Death

Yuta Is On Limited Time In Shinjuku

In JJK chapter 262, fans got to see a very intriguing final panel. In this panel, Rika had fully manifested, and at the same time, Yuta was seen lying lifeless in her arms. Rika was crying her eyes out and it appears that she isn't all that hopeful for Yuta's survival. Meanwhile, fans already know that Yuta is in a very dangerous position right now. Despite being incredibly powerful in Gojo's body, Yuta is on a strict time limit. Right now, fans know that he can manifest his cursed technique fully for 5 minutes. This is because Rika can only be fully manifested for this amount of time, and after that, he will not probably be able to use his Copy curse technique. This means that after 5 minutes are up, Yuta will most likely suffer in one way or another.

The thing is, fans do not know how exactly Kenjaku's technique works. After 5 minutes, anything could happen. Fans know that there are three possibilities right now. The first possibility is that Yuta will immediately die after 5 minutes are up, and, in that case, Rika will struggle as well. At the same time, there is another possibility and that is Yuta will slowly die as he loses cursed energy when the time limit is up. The third possibility is that Yuta will get to stay in Gojo's body forever, and this is something that fans are not yet ready to entertain fully.

At this point in time, anything could happen to Yuta, however, what fans know for a fact is that whatever ends up happening to Yuta will end up affecting Rika greatly. If Yuta ends up dying, then Rika will suffer in one way or another. And even if Yuta manages to stay in Gojo's body forever, things won't be the same for Rika.

Rika's Fate In Jujutsu Kaisen

Rika Could Potentially Die In Jujutsu Kaisen

It appears that things are incredibly dire for Rika at this point in JJK. The chances for her to receive a good ending with Yuta are very slim at this point in time. Fans know that in order for Rika to properly continue the relationship she shared with Yuta, he will have to return to his actual body. This was confirmed in the previous chapter of JJK, as it is highly unlikely that Yuta can make use of Rika's powers while being in Gojo. Of course, there are ways around that, just as Kenjaku figured out ways to utilize his old techniques even in Geto's body. However, for Yuta, it will be incredibly difficult to do that, given that he doesn't have much time, to begin with.

The very first possibility, where Yuta ends up dying after 5 minutes, along with the second possibility, where he dies, will most likely be his connection with Rika being permanently severed. This means that Rika can either vanish with Yuta, or she could rage and take on Sukuna in combat and most likely sacrifice herself in this battle. This is going to be a very tragic event, and fans will most likely get to see her die here. The second possibility here is that Rika will stay as an independently manifested curse or simply die after 5 minutes are up.

It doesn't appear as if Rika will get to stay alive if Yuta dies. The only way for her to stay alive is if Yuta manages to return to his own body somehow. While there isn't a pathway to this at this point in time, fans truly do not know what will end up happening after the 5 minutes are up. If Yuta does somehow find a way to return to his own body, especially if it is completely stitched up and ready to use once again, then, one can hope for a good ending for Rika. The only thing giving hope to Rika right now should be the fact that Yuta is a next-generation fighter and Gege would likely not kill him off, especially after killing Gojo already.

Jujutsu Kaisen is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by the fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and the Manga Plus app. The release date for the next chapter of JJK, Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 263, is set to be June 30, 2024.

Jujutsu Kaisen

Action

Supernatural

Studio

MAPPA

Creator

Gege Akutami

Number of Episodes

47

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