Yuta Okkotsu’s arrival at the end of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 led to excitement and hope in the anime fandom. With the chaos that unfolded during the Shibuya Incident, Yuta seems to be a light of hope in the dark who can help the jujutsu sorcerers unseal Gojo. While his appearance raised anticipation, it also led to the questions: How did Yuta Okkotsu get Rika back after he released her? Moreover, how can Yuta still use Rika after Jujutsu Kaisen 0?
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 explores Yuta’s past and deep connection with his childhood friend. Rika Orimoto shares a complex relationship with Yuta as she dies, leaving Yuta alone, but later emerges back into his life as a powerful cursed spirit. Gojo brings Yuta to Jujutsu High, and he grapples with his identity as a special-grade Jujutsu sorcerer because his elite status is due to Rika’s existence.
How can Yuta still use Rika?
After Rika dies, Yuta subconsciously curses her while grieving for her, using his innate technique. This leads to the beginning of their controversial bond as a cursed spirit and a jujutsu sorcerer. However, their affection remains indelible, and Rika helps enhance Yuta’s abilities and status. In a poignant moment, Yuta lets Rika go by breaking this curse, granting her spirit the opportunity to find peace. As recently seen in the anime, Yuta makes an appearance still having Rika with him. This puts fans in a frenzy as they struggle to understand how Yuta still has Rika.
In chapter 178 of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga, readers understand that though Rika’s spirit has moved on, as Yuta had wanted, her essence remains. This is in the form of Yuta’s cursed technique, called ‘Rika.’ As such, the cursed spirit willingly serves as a storage vessel for Yuta. This eventually grants Yuta the advantage of storing cursed energy and tools. Moreover, Rika helps Yuta in combat. This is how Yuta Okkotsu gets Rika back.
Due to her sentient presence, Yuta has flexibility and high endurance. Hence, Yuta can essentially still use Rika to preserve his formidable status as one of the best special grade Jujutsu sorcerers.
