Summary

• Yuta Okkotsu, the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen 0, was officially introduced in episode #47 of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime.
• In the manga, Yuta was a major driving force in the Culling Game arc, as well as in the latest arc of the series.
• Yuta's ability in the manga has culminated in one of the most disturbing and tragic reveals in Jujutsu Kaisen.

Warning: The following contains massive spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen!!

In Jujutsu Kaisen 0, a prequel movie to the Jujutsu Kaisen anime, Yuta Okkotsu plays the role of protagonist in the absence of Yuji Itadori, despite not appearing until later in the main series. Despite being a prequel to the anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is based on the manga by Gege Akutami that was released first. After the release of the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 film, fans of the anime may have been left wondering where Yuta Okkotsu is during the events of Jujutsu Kaisen's first season.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a supernatural anime series that follows young sorcerers learning their trade under Gojo Satoru at Tokyo Jujutsu High School. The first season follows Yuji Itadori after he eats a cursed finger and becomes the vessel for the powerful cursed spirit, Ryomen Sukuna.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 follows a similar narrative with Yuta Okkotsu. Yuta believes he is cursed by the spirit of his childhood friend Rika; seeing Yuta's potential, Gojo takes Yuta under his wing at Jujutsu High. Yuta's growth in the film makes him a powerful asset for Jujutsu Kaisen's Gojo Satoru.

Yuta's Appearances In Jujutsu Kaisen's Anime Adaptation

While Yuta Okkotsu doesn't appear in Jujutsu Kaisen season 1, there were several nods to the character's existence. Although it might not always be obvious, Yuta is name-dropped by characters and even appears in season 1's second opening sequence. The reason for Yuta not being properly introduced is that, during the events of the season, he is studying in Africa with another sorcerer, Miguel. Yuta's was officially introduced in the anime after the events of The Shibuya Incident arc.

Yuta is first mentioned in Jujutsu Kaisen season 1, episode #5. When Megumi introduces the second years to Nobara, he explains how the cursed speech Inumaki can only speak in ingredients of rice balls. Panda states that Inumaki is "a bit softer when Yuta's around." Megumi then concedes that Yuta is the only second-year he truly respects, which is understandable considering Yuta's exploits in the movie. In episode #6, Gojo also mentions Yuta, claiming that he and the third-year Hakiri have the potential to be sorcerers on a par with himself.

He also believes that Yuji was one of the select students that had that potential. For fans who have not read the manga, these references to Yuta build up his reputation. Anime-only fans will not have noticed that Yuta Okkotsu appears during Jujutsu Kaisen season 1's second opening scene. Even though Yuta is not introduced in season 1, his underlying presence determines just how important he is later in the series.

What Is Yuta Okkotsu Currently Doing In Jujutsu Kaisen?

Jujutsu Kaisen's

Yuta is officially introduced to Jujutsu Kaisen's main story until after the events of the Shibuya Incident arc. In the final episode of season 2, Yuta is officially debuted in the series' anime adaptation, setting up the events of season 3, and the official adaptation of the Culling Games arc – a pivotal arc in the series that has led to even more tragedies that the series' protagonists have been forced to endure.

In the manga, Yuta is pit against Druhv Lakdawalla, but easily manages to take him down. He then encounters Kurourushi, Takako Uro, and Ryu Ishigori, which leads to a high-intensity match-up between the latter two antagonists. While Yuta ends up besting the two of them, Ryu chastises him for sparing them – but questions whether Yuta would have truly left them alive if the rules of the game hadn't changed when they did.

In the current arc of the manga, the Shinjuku Showdown arc, Yuta regrouped with other sorcerers to follow through on the plan to release Gojo from the Prison Realm. Afterward, Sukuna and Gojo make an agreement to fight one another, which leads to a conversation wherein a group of sorcerers discuss what would happen if Gojo lost the battle. While nobody wanted to face this potential reality, it eventually leads to a meeting where Yuta proposes that he will take control of Gojo's body – similarly to how Kenjaku used Geto – should he die and take on Sukuna himself. Tragically, on the day of the fight between Sukuna and Gojo, Gojo loses.

Following through with his promise, Yuta ambushes and kills Kenjaku, allowing Rika to consume him and copy his technique. Yuta attempts to fight Sukuna himself, but fails; after being transported back to headquarters, Yuta enacts his plan, using Kenjaku's technique to take over Gojo's body. Where the story is currently, Yuta/Gojo has been countered by Sukuna, leaving the current story arc on a massive clifhanger.