Is Takaba dead or alive in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Jujutsu Kaisen

Baka Survivor-Can You Really Survive?

By Rohit NairUpdated:September 17, 20244 minutes

Have you ever had a fever dream—one so absurd that it defies all logic? That's exactly how I felt about much of the fight between Takaba and Kenjaku in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga.

Their confrontation is an unpredictable mix of surrealism and goofy humor, with jokes so offbeat that many non-Japanese readers will have trouble understanding the puns.

The rapid fire changes in tone and scenes provide plenty of laughs, but it's the shocking twist at the end of Chapter 243 that really catches us off guard.

When Takaba is finished, not only is Kenjaku's head cleanly severed from his body, but Takaba's fate is left in doubt—largely due to his own actions. I mean, who lies like that after a battle?

The uncertainty surrounding Takaba's future stems from his peaceful repose, which makes it seem like he's dead. Naturally, fans began to speculate whether Kenjaku wasn't the only character about to leave the series.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look and try to understand whether Takaba is actually dead or alive.

Is Takaba dead or alive?

Most fans believe that Takaba is still alive in the Jujutsu Kaisen manga after his battle with Kenjaku and for good reason.

While lying down, Takaba still conversed normally with Kenjaku, showing no signs of distress or injury.

There were no wounds on his body, which clearly showed that Takaba was simply breathing. He seemed satisfied with the progress of the battle.

For Takaba, this is more than just a fight—he gets his moment as a comedian in front of a crowd, even if it's just a supporting role—the effect of his cursed technique (though Takaba himself may not realize this).

It's entirely possible that afterwards Takaba just wanted to lie down and enjoy the moment, reflecting on how he had just fulfilled his dream.

Look how peaceful this guy is!

I hope this assumption is correct because losing Takaba at this stage would be very difficult. For some reason I'm starting to like that stupid survivor.

But as of chapter 269, there is still no official information on his condition. The initial optimism is fading, especially due to a worrying detail about his outfit.

Funeral attire:

Are you one of those people who thought there was something wrong with Takaba's outfit when he was lying down? For some reason, I can't forget it.

As the title of this section suggests, Takaba is actually wearing traditional funeral attire—a white kimono and a corpse hat.

The origin of this garment dates back to the Heian period, but it became more prominent as a funeral garment during the Edo period in Japan.

Source: Hyakumonogatari

The kimono known as the kyokatabira is traditionally worn by the deceased. The white triangular headband, commonly known as the “corpse cap”, symbolizes ascension to a higher level, often referred to as the “crown of heaven”.

Although not officially named, the pointed tip of the triangle is said to ward off evil spirits.

So, Based on Takaba's outfit in Chapter 243, it's possible that he may have died.or at least about to die. Another worrying sign is that he didn't react at all to Kenjaku being decapitated, which only adds to the concern.

Additionally, in Chapter 249, we see Yuta dragging Takaba's body after he successfully ambushed Kenjaku. Despite the chaos going on around him, Takaba still doesn't move, which doesn't inspire confidence in his fate.

And here's another clue: the way Kenjaku looks down and praises Takaba feels eerily similar to the way Sukuna looks down at Gojo after their fight—a moment of admiration that seems to signal the end.

But then again, I might be overthinking this. Takaba's funeral attire could just be another one of his jokes. It could be his way of showing that he's pleased to be able to move on to the afterlife!

Remember, the corpse cap symbolizes ascension to a higher state?

Well, Takaba went through his own character development throughout the war, gaining a deeper understanding of himself and his purpose. So, metaphorically, you could say he “ascended.”

Additionally, white symbolizes purity in Japanese culture, and Takaba is undeniably a pure soul—one who refuses to kill, even in a life-or-death situation. His white clothes may symbolize that purity.

With only a few chapters left until Jujutsu Kaisen ends, what do you think about Takaba's future? Do you believe he's dead or alive? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!

KenjakuTakaba About the author

Rohit Nair

Rohit Nair is the editor-in-chief at Animehunch and has been an avid manga reader for nearly a decade. When he's not reading manga, he can be found writing theories, coming up with news, or voicing opinions. He can be very biased about his favorite series in casual discussions, but immediately switches to an objective perspective when outlining his thoughts on the site. According to Rohit, reading Sui Ishida's works is a must.