The Walking Dead finally gave fans an update on Rick Grimes, but written in Japanese, so what’s the English translation? Andrew Lincoln officially departed The Walking Dead early in season 9, sacrificing himself in order to halt a horde of undead charging towards his people. Although Rick was heavily injured even before blowing up a bridge he was already standing on, Lincoln’s character actually survived the incident, but was taken away to be healed by Jadis and the mysterious helicopter group that has appeared in Fear The Walking Dead and the trailer for new series, World Beyond. Rick will return in an upcoming The Walking Dead movie release.
As far as the prime TV series is concerned, the survivors all believe Rick to have perished, even Daryl who held on to hope for so long. That situation finally changed in the most recent installment, “What We Become.” Michonne had previously gone on an excursion with Virgil looking for weapons that could be used against the Whisperers, but that mission proved to be a wild goose chase, as Virgil was outed as an unstable lunatic with a penchant for psychedelic flora. Fortunately, Michonne’s trip wasn’t entirely wasted, as she came away with something much more valuable: proof Rick Grimes is still alive. Michonne discovered Rick’s boots and then unearthed evidence on a boat moored by Virgil’s island that the man himself had been on the same vessel not too long ago.
Michonne’s most significant find was an iPhone that had been etched into, and included an image of Michonne and Judith, Rick’s name, and a message written in Japanese. Obviously, RJ isn’t on the phone, since Rick never actually met him. Although the non-English message likely would’ve gone over the heads of most domestic The Walking Dead viewers, a translation has been handily provided by executive producer Scott M. Gimple (via Insider). According to the franchise’s chief creative officer, the iPhone scratching means “believe a little bit longer.”
Firstly, it’s highly unlikely that the message and drawing were made by Rick Grimes himself, unless taking a bump on the head has suddenly given Lincoln’s character the ability to speak Japanese and draw. More likely, Rick has come into contact with a character who can speak Japanese and draw, and Rick described his loved ones to this person so they could create the iPhone memento. This explains both the Japanese characters and the fact Rick’s own name is etched onto the phone – something he likely wouldn’t have done if he’d made the thing himself. Both the creation of the iPhone drawing and the reason Rick left it on the boat will surely be explained in The Walking Dead‘s upcoming movie.
Focusing specifically on the “believe a little bit longer” message, there are a variety of possible interpretations. The simplest is that the credo was meant to inspire Rick to keep trying to reach home, but since the boat was already moored fairly close to the Hilltop area (within walkie-talkie range, at least), this may not be the case. Alternatively, the message might represent Rick’s own hopes for Michonne and Judith; that he wants them to keep believing a little bit longer before he’s able to reunite with them. This would imply that Rick has found a mission of vital importance, forcing him to complete it before he’s able to return home to his family. Once again, this is an answer The Walking Dead‘s movie will surely provide.
A final possible interpretation of the Japanese etching is that “believe a little bit longer” isn’t a reference to Rick reuniting with his family at all, but an allusion to his association with the CRM. The Walking Dead has already confirmed the CRM operate the show’s helicopters and aim to fundamentally fix the world. If Rick bought into their philosophy, perhaps he wants his loved ones to believe a little longer until he can make everything right alongside this mysterious new community.
The Walking Dead continues with “Look At The Flowers” March 29th on AMC.
