Kenjaku: Jujutsu Kaisen may be setting up Kenjaku's return by not confirming Yuta's status, and at the worst possible time

Jujutsu Kaisen may be setting up Kenjaku's return by not confirming Yuta's status, and at the worst possible time

Modified Aug 14, 2024 15:00 GMT

Kenjaku in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (Image via MAPPA)

Jujutsu Kaisen has been unrelenting in its release of explosive and epic chapters. The battle of Team Jujutsu High vs Ryomen Sukuna rages on and continues to heat up with each panel designed. Presently, 265 chapters in, Yuji Itadori has finally revealed his Domain and prepares to take on Sukuna in one seemingly final bout.

It was always going to be Yuji vs Sukuna from the very beginning, and creator Gege Akutami set it up brilliantly. However, given the mangaka's track record, he might be setting up the return of another familiar name - Kenjaku.

A recent theory has surfaced in the Jujutsu Kaisen, which speculates his comeback in the wildest of ways. What's more is that if it happens, this is the worst possible scenario.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Yuta's unconfirmed status could mean an unsettling Kenjaku return

As a last resort, Yuta Okkotsu did the unthinkable and took over his sensei, Gojo Satoru's body.

Essentially, considering Gojo's abilities, Yuta decided to use it as a contingency against the evidently unbeatable Sukuna. As such, he Copied Kenjaku's technique and did so, transferring himself into Gojo, but there were unknown risks to this, yet he did it anyway.

Now, accounting for what happened in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 263, the theory states it might be playing to Kenjaku's advantage. To elaborate, when Yuta first pitched the plan to Jujutsu High (chapter 261), Mei Mei categorically listed the risks.

First, Kenjaku's technique needed constant activation, which Yuta cannot do; Second, the technique activates intermittently, which would kill Yuta slowly; third, he might get trapped in Gojo's body forever.

Additionally, Copy worked only when Rika was fully manifested, which lasts for about five minutes. Once those five minutes were up, it was uncertain what might happen.

We see in chapter 263 that Yuta/Gojo suddenly collapses on the battlefield. As mentioned, the Copied technique burned out before the five minutes were up (due to Domain Expansion) and Rika's absence in haunting Gojo's body.

Yuta/Gojo collapses mid-battle (Image via Gege Akutami, Shueisha)

Considering this series of events, the theory states that the complexities of Kenjaku's technique is what will lead to his return.

It speculates that Kenjaku gambled on the fact that Team Jujutsu High would attempt to use Gojo's body, and his technique would be the immediate choice. Moreover, given how long he has been alive, he likely knows the ins and outs of his technique.

The theory goes further to speculate that Yuta and Gojo might face Kenjaku's true form within Gojo's body (like an inner domain). Odd as it may be, Kenjaku's true form is unknown. At most, he has been shown as a brain with a mouth on it. While that relates to his technique, there's concern over what his actual form is like, i.e., is he indeed human or a Curse?

Moreover, if all that is true, Kenjaku's return could come at the worst possible time for Team Jujutsu High. Here's why - as it stands - sorcerers of Jujutsu High are depleted and unable to continue fighting.

Yuji will be spent from his first Domain Expansion and finishing Sukuna; assuming he's freed, Megumi will be in no condition to fight; Hakari seems to be yet tied up with Uraume, who might keep him occupied for longer or Hakari has won but is depleted as well.

Final Thoughts

The above mentioned theory stands as one of the oddest Jujutsu Kaisen theories formulated.

While it might seem far-fetched and maybe daft, there's nothing to disprove it. Moreover, considering how many curveballs Akutami has thrown, even something like this stands within the boundary of speculation.

It's worth mentioning that Kenjaku's role in the series is likely unfinished. A major antagonist like him usually sticks around till the very end, and, in this case, his absence itself might be a sign of his return. All things considered, Kenjaku might return once Sukuna is incapacitated and kick off the merger he so intricately planned.

Moreover, Kenjaku would be unstoppable with Sukuna taken down and Team Jujutsu High depleted. Hakari might be Jujuisu's only hope, but considering how long his fight with Uraume is seemingly stretching, even he might not be able to do much.