The Walking Dead season 10: What did Rick's Japanese message to Michonne say in game-changing episode 13?

Episode hinted a huge reunion is on the cards sometime in the future

The Walking Dead just wrote a huge character out of the show, in a game-changing episode that looks set to expand the universe.

*Spoilers follow – you have been warned*

Eight months after announcing she was leaving the show, Danai Gurira made her final stand as Michonne, whom she has played since the show’s third season.

The episode – number 13 of the AMC drama’s 10th season – saw Michonne make a startling discovery after visiting a remote island with new character Virgil (Kevin Carroll).

After a hallucinatory journey through hell, in which she reimagines her time on the show in a twisted manner, Michonne found cowboy boots belonging to Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) as well as his old mobile phone.

On it was etched a drawing of Michonne and Judith (Cailey Fleming) with some Japanese writing, which – speaking to Insider – showrunner Angela Kang said translates as: “Believe a little longer.”

This hints that Rick knows Michonne suspected him to have survived the explosion he “died” in back in season nine.

As she makes her way back to Alexandria, Michonne radios Judith and, in emotional scenes, she breaks the news that her father appears to be alive after all.

Judith is adamant that Michonne go search for Rick, telling her: “Go get him.”

Rick's message to Michonne throws the show wide open (AMC)

The final moments sees her “heading north” in an attempt to bring Rick home while keeping his spirit – two people ask for her help and, after briefly hesitating, she holds out an outstretched hand.

Sending Michonne off in this way suggests this won’t be the last viewers see of her, and also hints that she could appear in the trilogy of films focused on Rick Grimes set to be filmed and released in the coming years.

Scott Gimple, who oversees the Walking Dead franchise, said that Michonne’s discovery hints at a “whole story unfolding somewhere” else.

The Walking Dead continues in the US every sunday on AMC and is shown in the UK the following evening on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.