Rika Orimoto is one of the most decorated athletes in Japan, having won medals at both the Olympic and World Championships. But after a disappointing performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she retired from competition. Now, four years later, Orimoto has announced her return to jujutsu. In an interview with The Japan Times, she said that she had been training hard and was looking forward to competing again. Orimoto’s comeback is significant not only because of her illustrious career as an athlete, but also because of her background as a judoka who switched to jujutsu in her late teens. Jujutsu is a martial art that uses punches, kicks and throws to defend against an opponent’s attacks. It is considered more physically demanding than judo, which is the sport that Orimoto originally competed in. Orimoto’s return to jujutsu comes at a time when the sport is experiencing growth in Japan. Jujutsu Kaisen (JK), the national governing body for jujutsu in Japan, has seen membership increase by 50 percent over the past two years. This growth can be attributed in part to the popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA), which has led many people to explore other forms of combat sports. ..

Does this mean Rika’s occultly-love story is over? Chapter 141 of Jujutsu Kaisen manga introduced the Queen of Curses to the canon storyline. Rika is at her best, and she is also much more respectful towards Yuta. How did Yuta overcome all odds and save Rika from the loneliness in the afterlife? We have gathered all theories about Rika’s return.

Rika Orimoto : Who is She In Jujutsu Kaisen?

Okkotsu Yuuta’s special cursed spirit Rika is her companion. Yuuta is the first to be fended off by Rika. Yuuta eventually learns to control his powers and makes Yuuta fight for him.

Rika wasn’t a cursed spirit before, and she was not supposed to live in the current arc. What happened next?

Okkotsu Yuuta cherished his childhood friend, Rika Orimoto. They had a special bond and loved one another. Rika presents Yuuta with a ring for his birthday. On a childhood whim they also promise to marry when they are older.

Rika is tragically killed in a car accident shortly after her promise to stay together.Okkotsu’s promise

She transforms into a powerful curse of special-grade power that haunts Okkotsu Yuuta. She attacks Yuuta’s enemies and stuffs four bullies in the school locker.

Yuuta believes he is worthy to die because of Rika’s presence and agrees that he will be executed by Jujutsu authorities. Even tried to commit suicide in solitude.

How did she become such a powerful curse when her family had no connections to sorcery?

Rika : What happened In Jujutsu Kaisen?

Yuuta’s curse was not on Rika, but the reverse. Yuuta didn’t want Rika to go to his grave, so he cursed her to become a cursed spirit. He made a contract to her and she was bound.Okkotsu Yuuta curses Rika

Yuuta makes a promise to Rika that he will be there forever in exchange for more cursed energy. Yuuta, unaware of the fact that he is breaking Rika’s contract to him, promises to be with Rika forever in exchange for drawing more cursed energy to kill Geto.

Before he disappeared to the other side. Yuuta was comforted by Rika, who was feeling guilty for curseing her and almost killing many people. Yuuta is given some hope by her saying that the six years she lived next to Yuuta was the best of her life. We were dispelled when her body began to disintegrate slowly.

What if all of this had happened?

Did Rika come back in Jujutsu Kaisen ?

We were all equally shocked when Okkotsu called Rika during the latest chapter. We have a few theories, as the fandom started to speculate about her.“Rika” kills the curse

Rika returned from her free will

Rika was released and maybe she felt the need to be with Okkotsu in battle. She knows Okkotsu best because of all the years she has spent with him.

This line of thinking has a flaw. Only vengeful spirits can become cursed spirits. Rika was a good spirit, and had fulfilled her duties even after her death. Rika was not vindictive and she did not have the ability to turn into a cursed spirit. Could she have been somehow corrupted? It seems highly unlikely.

Okkotsu Yauta also has another cursed spirit

Next, Yuuta may have mastered the ability to curse spirits with him. He used this ability to create a cursed spirit, and named it “Rika”, either by accident or convenience. Yuuta had already learned how to use the Katana to channel cursed spirit energy. He probably believed it would be useful for him to have a cursed soul.

He could use the curse to accomplish major tasks while he concentrates on other things. This is in line with Chapter 137 (see panel below). Okkotsu may not have exorcised the spirit directly, but Rika or another person he called Rika did.

Then chapter 141 of Jujutsu Kaisen brings up new questions in our minds.

Did Yuta make a copy Rika?

Chapter 141 saw another remarkable appearance by the prequel’s star. Yuji was also grabbed by the new “Rika” to protect Yuta as the old one. The Rika of looks very much the same as the Rika from earlier . It is possible to be confused if it is the same Rika. But there is another possibility.

Okkotsu is able to ‘copy’ cursed techniques, making them his own. In the prequel, he did it with Inumaki’s cursed language which is extremely difficult to learn.Rika in Jujutsu Kaisen chapter 141

Did he then create a new Rika from his memories? Yuta’s cursed energy was responsible for the previous manifestation of Rika. It is possible that he took Rika’s powers and created a new cursed spirit. It makes sense that he also calls her Rika.

This could also explain why the new Rika behaves the same as the old. Yuji’s scene is quite different from Yuta’s first encounter with Maki, Inumaki and Panda. Rika appeared to be Yuta’s protector, and he was just as terrified as Yuji in this chapter.

He also seems to have learned other skills. Now he can store weapons in Rika. It is very handy for him when he fights powerful curses and shamans such as Yuji.

Yuji’s reaction when Rika appears is another interesting fact. He calls Rika despite his acute senses and training. Yuji was trained by Gojo against shikigami, and Megumi also is one.

It is only natural that he should be able to distinguish between shikigami and curses.

But what if Yuta also knows shikigami? Yuta also learned how Megumi can store weapons by using his ability. Mahogara, a cursed spirit is actually Megumi’s shikigami. Rika’s sudden appearance, and his reaction to it, can be a fitting fit.

Shikigami: The New Rika

Jujutsu Kaisen, just like the Naruto series’ summoning creatures, has Shikigamis that aid the sorcerers. The Shikigami technique should not be difficult to copy since Yuta can see any technique and copy it. It’s possible that Yuta may have turned Rika into his Shikigami to allow him to continue harnessing her powers, without being caught. To summon the cursed spirit, Shikigami practitioners need a talisman. Yuta’s wedding band will serve as a fitting talisman.

Yuta Revived Rika

Yuta’s Reversed Curse method has the unique ability to heal any injury or bring someone back from the brink. This technique doesn’t just apply to humans. It is possible that Yuta used the same technique in order to rescue Rika from the afterlife. She would have been thrilled to see her childhood friend.

What did Okkotsu or Rika do over the years? Is Okkotsu able to surpass Gojo? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments