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Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Akutami Shocks Fans by Killing Off Two Major Characters
Sep
Warning: This article contains spoilers from Jujutsu Kaisen’s sequel, JJK 3: Modulo.
Few series in modern manga and anime have left as big of an impact as Jujutsu Kaisen.
Created by Gege Akutami, the series exploded in popularity when it first debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump, quickly rising to stand alongside heavyweights like Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, and even One Piece.
Its gritty supernatural battles, complex characters, and heartbreaking plot twists won over millions of fans worldwide.
When the original JJK manga concluded in 2024, fans thought they had reached the end of this dark yet captivating universe.
Many believed the story of Yuji, Gojo, Yuta, and the other sorcerers had finally closed its last chapter. But Gege Akutami wasn’t done just yet.
In August 2025, fans were greeted with earth-shattering news: a brand-new sequel series titled Jujutsu Kaisen 3: Modulo would debut in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #41.
Set decades after the climactic Shinjuku Showdown, this continuation promised to explore the lingering consequences of curses, sorcerer bloodlines, and the next generation of jujutsu fighters.
But along with the excitement came heartbreak.
Right in its opening chapter, Gege Akutami confirmed that two fan-favorite characters — Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin — had died before the sequel’s events began.
The Return of Jujutsu Kaisen: Why Fans Were So Excited
When Jujutsu Kaisen ended, fans were both satisfied and hollow.
Satisfied, because Gege Akutami wrapped up many of the series’ central conflicts.
Hollow, because the world of jujutsu sorcery still held endless mysteries and stories waiting to be told.
Fans clamored for more.
Online forums filled with speculation about possible spin-offs, side stories, or even a prequel about Satoru Gojo’s youth.
The anime adaptation by MAPPA also kept enthusiasm alive, with stunning visuals that pulled in even casual viewers.
So when JJK 3: Modulo was announced, the fandom erupted with joy.
After all, Akutami has a reputation for delivering high-stakes, emotionally charged storytelling.
Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin: Two of JJK’s Brightest Stars
Before diving into their deaths, it’s worth remembering just how important Yuta and Maki were to Jujutsu Kaisen.
Yuta Okkotsu: The Cursed Prodigy
Introduced in Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Yuta quickly became a fan favorite.
Initially plagued by the curse of his childhood friend Rika, he transformed from a timid boy into one of the strongest jujutsu sorcerers alive.
His innate talent, coupled with his bond to Rika, gave him abilities that rivaled even Gojo.
Yuta’s calm demeanor, loyalty to friends, and sheer power made him a cornerstone of the series.
In many ways, he was the “second protagonist,” representing the broader scope of the jujutsu world beyond Yuji’s perspective.
Maki Zenin: The Fierce Underdog
Maki’s journey was one of resilience and defiance.
Born into the infamous Zenin clan, she was scorned for her lack of cursed energy.
But instead of accepting her supposed weakness, Maki carved her own path with brutal determination.
Wielding cursed tools with unmatched skill, she became one of the series’ most inspiring characters.
Her arc — from being underestimated to dismantling her oppressive clan — resonated deeply with readers.
She embodied themes of freedom, self-worth, and rejecting toxic traditions.
Together, Yuta and Maki represented hope for the future of jujutsu sorcery. Which is why their confirmed deaths hit fans so hard.
The Sequel Confirms Their Fate
In Jujutsu Kaisen 3: Modulo, the story leaps decades beyond the Shinjuku Showdown.
By this time, Yuta had become the leader of the Gojo Clan, establishing himself as a pillar of stability in a world still haunted by curses.
He and Maki had married, had children, and eventually grandchildren.
The one-shot at the end of 2024 hinted at this future, showing Yuta with grandkids who bore a striking resemblance to Maki.
Fans theorized that the two had indeed married. Modulo confirmed it outright: Yuta and Maki lived long, meaningful lives together.
But tragedy inevitably followed.
- Maki Zenin was the first to pass away, under circumstances not yet fully revealed. Her death devastated Yuta, who had relied on her strength both emotionally and strategically.
- Yuta Okkotsu did not last long after Maki’s passing. According to their granddaughter, Yuuki Okkotsu, Yuta seemed to weaken rapidly once Maki was gone, dying shortly after. His death carried the bittersweet sense of someone who had lost the will to continue without their partner.
The Emotional Impact on Fans
The news of Yuta and Maki’s deaths spread like wildfire. Social media platforms flooded with grief, tributes, and fan art.
Many fans expressed heartbreak over losing two characters who symbolized resilience and love in a world dominated by suffering.
At the same time, others found comfort in the fact that Yuta and Maki lived long, fulfilling lives — something many characters in JJK never got the chance to experience.
Unlike Gojo, Nobara, or countless sorcerers who met brutal ends, Yuta and Maki had children, grandchildren, and years of happiness.
In a series where death is often cruel and sudden, theirs was almost peaceful.
And in that sense, it was a rare gift from Gege Akutami to the fandom.
The New Generation: Yuuki and Tsugiri Okkotsu
The sequel shifts focus to Yuta and Maki’s descendants, Yuuki and Tsugiri Okkotsu.
As the protagonists of JJK 3: Modulo, they carry both the burden and legacy of their powerful grandparents.
- Yuuki Okkotsu: Named after her grandfather’s mentor, she is courageous, sharp-witted, and already a standout sorcerer. Her narration about Yuta’s death added emotional weight to the first chapter.
- Tsugiri Okkotsu: More reserved and analytical, Tsugiri seems poised to inherit aspects of both Yuta’s strategic mind and Maki’s combat pragmatism.
By focusing on them, Akutami creates an intergenerational story, where the triumphs and tragedies of the past shape the struggles of the future.
What About the Other Old Characters?
Fans are now left speculating: who else survived into the era of Modulo?
- Yuji Itadori might still be alive, since his possession by Sukuna could have slowed his aging.
- Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki are less likely to have survived, given the timeline (over 60+ years later).
- Other sorcerers like Panda, Inumaki, or Hakari could theoretically appear, though Akutami has not confirmed anything yet.
This mystery fuels fan excitement.
Every new chapter could reveal whether another beloved character made it into this new era — or confirm their death.
Embroidery, Fashion, and Fandom: Keeping Yuta and Maki Alive
When characters die in anime and manga, fans often keep their spirit alive through art, cosplay, and merchandise.
One unique trend growing within the JJK fandom is anime embroidery.
Shops like Hicitees have popularized embroidered shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts featuring characters like Yuta, Maki, and even Gojo.
For fans grieving their deaths, wearing an embroidered design is like carrying a tribute — a reminder of their favorite heroes stitched into fabric.
Just as embroidery weaves threads into something lasting, fans weave their love for Jujutsu Kaisen into everyday life.
Final Thoughts: A Painful but Beautiful Goodbye
The deaths of Yuta Okkotsu and Maki Zenin mark the end of an era in Jujutsu Kaisen.
For fans, it’s heartbreaking to lose them.
Yet there is beauty in the way Akutami handled their departure.
Unlike the abrupt and violent ends of many characters, Yuta and Maki’s story concluded with love, family, and legacy.
Their bond — forged through shared struggle and triumph — lives on in their grandchildren, and in the hearts of fans.
And thanks to the creativity of the community, from fan fiction to embroidered hoodies, their memory will never fade.
As Jujutsu Kaisen 3: Modulo unfolds, one thing is certain: the torch has been passed, but the threads of Yuta and Maki’s story will always be part of the tapestry.
