Jujutsu Kaisen: Why Yuta Wants To Kill Yuji Itadori?

Pavas Gagneja
5 days ago
3 min read

SPOILER ALERT: This article may contain major spoilers from Jujutsu Kaisen. Proceed only if you don't mind having key story elements revealed.

One of the most shocking moments following the devastating Shibuya Incident was the sudden return of Yuta Okkotsu. The moment he arrived, he immediately declared his intention to kill Yuji Itadori. As one of the most powerful Sorcerers and a student personally trained by Satoru Gojo, Yuta’s declaration sent waves of confusion and fear through the fandom. Why would a hero like Yuta target a fellow ally?

The answer is far more twisted than a simple betrayal. In fact, it involves the rigid politics of the Jujutsu world, a secret promise to a beloved teacher, and a clever plan designed to outsmart the Jujutsu society higher-ups. To understand his actions, we must look beyond the surface and examine the desperate circumstances facing the Sorcerers.

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The Binding Vow And The Jujutsu Higher-Ups

The primary reason for Yuta’s mission is a Binding Vow he made with the Jujutsu higher-ups. As we all know, Gojo was sealed following the Shibuya Incident. This resulted in the conservative elders of the Jujutsu world regaining control. They immediately reinstated Yuji Itadori's death sentence because they viewed him as a ticking time bomb and held him responsible for the destruction in Shibuya. So to gain their trust and be allowed to operate freely, Yuta agreed to become Yuji’s executioner.

This vow was a strategic move. By publicly accepting the role, Yuta placed himself in a position of authority and satisfied the elders' demands. By doing so, he effectively put a temporary halt to their own pursuit of Yuji. The elders, seeing Yuta as a powerful and obedient Sorcerer, believed he was the perfect tool to eliminate the threat of Sukuna once and for all. This agreement gave Yuta the freedom he needed to find Yuji on his own terms.

A Deceptive Plan To Save A Friend

While Yuta publicly declared his intent to kill Yuji, his true objective was the complete opposite. His mission was to protect Yuji. Yuta understood that a direct refusal to the higher-ups would only endanger both of them. So, he orchestrated a plan where he could "kill" Yuji in a way that would fulfill the technicalities of the Binding Vow without causing permanent harm. He tracked Yuji down and, in their battle, fatally stabbed him through the chest.

But there's a catch to this battle. Immediately after this apparent execution, Yuta used his advanced Reverse Cursed Technique, ultimately bringing our beloved hero back to life. By stopping Yuji's heart for a moment, he actually played a clever trick. Yuta technically fulfilled the vow of "killing" him, satisfying the elders, but also saving him at the same time. This clever loophole allowed him to neutralize the immediate threat from the higher-ups and officially remove the execution order hanging over Yuji's head.

Loyalty To Gojo And Personal Empathy

Yuta’s actions were driven by his loyalty to Gojo. Before leaving Japan prior to the series' start, Gojo had personally asked Yuta to look after his underclassmen, including Yuji. Yuta took this request to heart, and his entire plan was a fulfillment of that promise. He was not acting as an agent of the elders but as a protector carrying out Gojo’s wishes in his absence. His goal was to protect the new generation of Sorcerers that Gojo believed in so strongly.

Furthermore, Yuta possesses a unique empathy for Yuji’s situation — all because of his own terrible past. Yuta, too, was the vessel for the incredibly powerful Cursed Spirit of Rika Orimoto and was himself sentenced to death by the same higher-ups. Moreover, he understands the loneliness and fear of being considered a monster simply for housing a power beyond his control. This shared experience creates a bond between them, making Yuta one of the few people who could truly comprehend Yuji’s situation.

The Perfect Cover Story: Revenge For Shibuya

To make his act believable, Yuta had a powerful and tragic justification. It was the chaos Sukuna unleashed during the Shibuya Incident. When Yuji lost control, Sukuna went on a rampage that caused immense death and destruction. Among the casualties were Yuta’s close friends and fellow students. To top it all off, Toge Inumaki lost an arm as a direct result of Sukuna's actions. This personal loss provided Yuta with a convincing reason to want revenge against Sukuna's vessel.

This narrative of revenge made his hunt for Yuji appear reasonable to anyone watching, including the higher-ups. It painted him as a Sorcerer personally affected by Sukuna. By leveraging the tragedy of Shibuya, Yuta ensured that his plan to save Yuji would not be questioned.