Jujutsu Kaisen 0 - Characters & Cast

Initially, Yuta's sole motivation is to find a way to break Rika's curse and die so he can no longer hurt anyone. This evolves into a desire to form connections with others and to gain "the confidence to feel like it's okay to live." Ultimately, his primary motivation becomes the protection of his friends, who gave him a reason to live. This selfless goal allows him to unlock the true potential of his power, which is rooted in love.

Yuta begins as a deeply traumatized and suicidal teenager, completely isolated by the guilt and fear of Rika's curse. His journey at Jujutsu High is one of profound internal growth. Through his friendships with Maki, Toge, and Panda, he moves from isolation to connection, finding a sense of belonging and self-worth. He learns to accept his past and his power, transforming his grief from a source of suffering into a source of strength. His arc culminates in him willingly sacrificing himself for his friends, demonstrating a complete reversal from his initial desire for death out of despair to a willingness to die for a purpose.

As a Cursed Spirit, Rika's singular motivation is the protection of Yuta, albeit in a violent and destructive manner. This stems from their childhood promise and the powerful emotions tied to her death. Her actions, though monstrous, are a twisted manifestation of her love and desire to keep him safe. Her ultimate, unspoken motivation is to be freed from the curse that binds her to the mortal plane.

Rika's arc is seen through Yuta's perception of her. She transforms from a sweet childhood friend into a monstrous, possessive Cursed Spirit after her traumatic death. For most of the film, she is a terrifying, uncontrollable force. The climax reveals her true nature: her spirit was not malevolent, but was trapped and twisted by Yuta's grief-fueled curse. Her final transformation is back into her human form, where she is able to say a proper goodbye. Her arc completes when the curse is broken, allowing her soul to finally pass on peacefully, a symbol of Yuta's acceptance and emotional healing.

Gojo's primary motivation is to reform the corrupt and stagnant Jujutsu society. He believes that simply killing the higher-ups is not enough; a true revolution requires educating a new generation of strong and intelligent allies. He sees immense potential in Yuta not just as a weapon, but as a student who, through overcoming his personal struggles, can become a cornerstone of this new era. His actions are all geared towards fostering the growth of his students.

Gojo serves as the catalyst for Yuta's journey, saving him from execution and guiding him toward self-control. While he remains the overwhelmingly powerful and confident sorcerer, the film provides deeper insight into his character through his past relationship with Suguru Geto. His interactions with Geto reveal a layer of sadness and regret beneath his carefree exterior. His arc in the film is less about personal change and more about showcasing his philosophy of nurturing a new generation of powerful, independent-thinking sorcerers to reshape the flawed Jujutsu world from the ground up.

Geto's motivation stems from a deep-seated disillusionment and trauma from his time as a Jujutsu sorcerer, where he constantly witnessed the ugliness of non-sorcerers and the thankless sacrifices of his comrades. He believes that eliminating non-sorcerers is the only logical solution to eradicate Curses, as they are born from the negative emotions of normal humans. His goal is to seize Rika's power to ensure he has the strength to achieve his vision of a sorcerer-only world.

Geto is the film's primary antagonist, a former friend of Gojo who has descended into extremism. His arc is a tragic one that is mostly in the past, but his motivations are explored in the present. He believes sorcerers are the superior race and aims to create a world for them by eliminating all non-sorcerers, whom he derogatorily calls "monkeys." His conflict with Yuta and Gojo is ideological. The film ends with his defeat and subsequent death at the hands of Gojo, a somber conclusion to their fractured friendship and a pivotal moment that sets up future events in the main series.