Kayleigh McKee & Anairis Quiñones Interview: Jujutsu Kaisen 0
Jujutsu Kaisen 0's place as a prequel to the hit anime series Jujutsu Kaisen gives the movie a chance to introduce new characters in a familiar setting at an unfamiliar time. Separating itself from the main series, the movie follows the story of Yuta Okkotsu as he enrolls into Jujutsu High under Satoru Gojo's tutelage. Accompanied by the cursed spirit Rika Orimoto, long-time fans get to see a new dynamic as these new characters take center stage alongside old favorites. Screen Rant had the opportunity to speak with the voices of Yuta and Rika, Kayleigh McKee and Anairis Quiñones, about their characters' place in the world, what separates Yuta Okkotsu from Yuji Itadori, and an in-depth look at the psychology of their characters through the film.
Screen Rant: Kayleigh, Yuta Okkotsu is obviously the protagonist for Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Take us through a little bit of the psychology of the character, if you can. What was he looking for in the world and, in your eyes, what separates Yuta from Yuji in the main series?
Kayleigh McKee: I think a big thing that separates Yuta is that I feel like he's very traumatized. He lived holding a lot of guilt, trauma, and fear. Fear about what danger he may pose to others; fear from others and what they might do to him.
He and Yuji start from a very different place, but Yuta goes through this transformation of finding himself and his confidence, and his reason to be. He finds a group of friends that bring him out of his shell, and let him figure out who he actually is for himself.
Whereas Yuji, I feel, is a lot more confident right from the start and knows already that he can help people - and he's going to do it. Which is a really awesome character trait. But the difference is that they both arrive at a similar place through a different journey. That still colors the way both of them act and really sets them apart, even though they have the same goals.
Anairis, Rika Orimoto’s curse is a lingering thread throughout the film and acts as a motivation for a lot of what's going on with Yuta. From your perspective, how did it feel getting into the mindset of the character as a cursed spirit? How does that psychology break down?
Anairis Quinones: I think it was making sure that I knew the foundation of human Rika. I knew that she was a sweet girl who has been through some things, and she has a vibe of a mature soul; older than she is. But she's still a sweetheart, she still believes in love and still cares very deeply for Yuta.
When we get introduced to cursed Rika, it's just the complete opposite, almost. Instead of her being mature, she's a bit more childish. Her emotions are very one-note, but it all comes from this very innocent place. And that was my main thing: making sure that it wasn't me trying to sound creepy or trying to sound crazy. It was me wanting to protect Yuta; me wanting to make sure he was alright.
I wanted whatever I wanted in the moment, and I was keeping a childish mindset as I did it. Not necessarily thinking, "Oh, I'm a monster!" It was very based in this innocent place.
You were channeling a protective rage instead of a violent one?
Anairis Quinones: It's kind of both. It comes from this place innocent, genuine love for Yuta. Whatever spawns out of that... There is a protectiveness, but it can come out in different ways. It can come out in a very violent way, or it can come out in a very jealous way.
I think there was the base of protectiveness from an innocent place, but the way that it would come out was a bit monstrous and creepy. And I was just playing with that and making sure that I knew why I was being the way I was.
Kayleigh McKee: When a little kid sees injustice against their best friend, those emotions are strong. I love how you portrayed that.
Given the curses you're dealing with, how did that play into the dynamic with Maki, Toge and Panda?
Kayleigh McKee: I think you definitely feel some of that tension it. But it shifts after you're able to see what the situation actually is, what they can actually do, and what their actual thoughts are. It's based in this love, and Yuta wants to help people. They have - in a certain traumatic, messed up way - a mutual relationship of protection and love.
That dynamic, it's real, and it's something that they end up not being nearly as afraid of - at least from what I was able to glean. But it definitely starts that way. And I think it takes work on both of the characters' parts, and then from the other characters, to build that bond and change their mind.
Anairis Quinones: I agree. There's definitely tension, but I think a lot of the tension comes from a lack of understanding. I think Yuta and Rika, their relationship and how they feel towards each other, is a very private thing between them that none of the other characters get to really understand.
I think it's really interesting to see how they themselves sort through this change that goes on within Yuta and within introducing these new characters to them, basically. And just figuring out how to protect people with their love.
What are your favorite aspects of your respective characters and why?
Anairis Quinones: I think my favorite aspect of her is that she always wants the best for Yuta, and I don't think she ever tries to dictate what is the best. She always respects what he feels his best. It kind of tells me that it's a pure love of, "I will literally like die for you," or, "If we have to break up or whatever, that's good, because I just want you to be happy."
I think Rika is just a very genuine and understanding person that gives Yuta space to be himself.
Kayleigh McKee: I think my favorite aspect of Yuta is that no matter what situation he finds himself in, no matter how he's feeling about himself, he wants to help if he can - even when he thinks he can't. He wants to help, and I think he starts to learn that he needs to value himself to value the world and to help it.
To see somebody kindle that inside of themselves is, I think, one of the strongest aspects any person can have.