There is a lot of buzz surrounding JUJUTSU KAISEN 0, and rightly so. The anime series by MAPPA took the world by storm and while we all wait for Season 2 to come out, we’ll take anything and everything right now. On top of that, when JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 crashed into cinemas in December, it became clear that we were dealing with an entirely different beast. While it didn’t beat the colossal Demon Slayer: Mugen Train which grossed just over 40 billion yen ($345 million), JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 soon climbed the box office ranks when it grossed 12.3 billion yen ($107 million). Remember, of course, that this film is currently gearing up for its international release, so it’ll have plenty of time to grow and revel in its success.
I had the amazing opportunity to catch JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 slightly early, and as a fan of the show I couldn’t wait to dive into this prequel story. Interestingly, while JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 is sure to be a financial success, this film succeeds in other ways as well, perhaps where other anime films fail. As much as I love My Hero Academia, the films exist as extensions. However, with JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 and Mugen Train there’s actually a story to tell. But, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 goes one step further. Not only is it an important story for the fans of the show, but it also acts as warm welcome to newcomers.
The hit series follows Yuji Itadori, a high schooler who becomes a living vessel for Ryomen Sukuna, known only as one of the most powerful and dangerous curses in history. Yuji then enrolls in the Jujustu school where he is joined by a group of sorcerers who keep him in check and teach him how to harness and control Sukuna… As best as possible. Isn’t that simple? Funnily enough, it’s pretty much the same for JUJUTSU KAISEN 0.
This prequel focuses on Yuta Okkotsu, a nervous high school student, who enrolls in the mysterious Tokyo Jujutsu High School under the guidance of Satoru Gojo after being haunted by the curse of his childhood friend.
It’s similarity to the series is by no means a criticism. Again, it just reinforces that inclusivness. JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 is a great introduction to the world, the characters who appear in the series, and the art of curses and spirits. Of course, it’s not just for the new fans. While being simple in its nature, there is still so much to love about JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 and longtime fans are sure to walk away beaming.
For fans who haven’t read the original manga, we finally get to meet Yuta Okkotsu who is mentioned several times in the series and is deemed to be one of the strongest sorcerers, rivaling even Gojo. As the main protagonist, we get to know Yuta really well and he is actually weighed down by a very tragic backstory that is explored beautifully in this film. After witnessing the death of his childhood love, Rika, Yuta is haunted and protected by her new monstrous appearance. Maintaining that child-like demeanor, Rika’s new form sets out to punish and destroy everyone who attempts to hurt and bully her one true love.
JUJUTSU KAISEN is among one of the most visually stunning shows to date, and luckily that transfered over into the film. The animation in JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 is absolutely outstanding. It’s quick, fluid, loud and… Insane. JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 excels when it comes to action and creating those high-stake scenarios. You’ve got the fast-paced and relentless hand-to-hand combat, the absolute bruality and carnage from Rika’s form, and then a wide variety of curses, and powers. It’s all a wonderful concotion that just proves why JUJUTSU KAISEN and MAPPA are dominating the anime world.
Even when characters are being ripped apart or thrown through buildings, the world surrounding the action is detailed and rather beautiful. I think this film focuses more on the lighter side because of the real and innocent nature of the curse that binds Rika to Yuta. Visually, there is a nice balance between light and dark which gradually fades away once we reach the final arc… Which is just an all out war. Imagine what that looks like in the hands of MAPPA.
There are some brilliant sequences in JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 so it’s guarenteed to please the fans. In particular, Gojo’s rather large fanbase will be ecstatic. Who wouldn’t be? We all love Gojo. I won’t go into detail… But I will say that Satoru Gojo has an utterly ridiculous moment that made me audibly gasp. It’s one of those moments where I can confidently say “You’ll know it when you see it.”
One of the things I love most about JUJUTSU KAISEN, aside from the animation, is its ability to perfectly balance different moods. At its core, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 has an incredibly dark premise with equally as dark bits of imagery. However, it is still incredibly funny. Through simplistic animation, charming characters, and impecible timing, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 somehow finds that sweet spot where it can be both super funny and absurdly tragic and grotesque. In comparison, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 feels a lot warmer than the series, and it seems to be because our main character has a deeply personal connection that drives the narrative. This film is quite literally stacked. It’s chilling, hysterical, endearing, exhilerating, and uplifting. There aren’t many shows or films that can execute that mixture so brilliantly. But, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 is definitely one of them.
It’s hard not to love JUJUTSU KAISEN 0. For the people that are experiencing JUJUTSU KAISEN for the first time, this film is a great entry point. It caters for the new arrivals, but never sacrifices the integrity of the deep story in order to fully explain the world. What it does instead is whet your appetite. Even as a fan of the series, after watching the movie I immediately started a rewatch. It got me hungry for more. JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 is everything I hoped for plus more. While the story beats are similar to the series, the feel and look of this film couldn’t be more different.
JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 is an exhilerating, gory and visually immense rollercoaster from start to finish. When it’s not wowing us with the insane and vibrant action sequences that are out of this world, we are immersed into a tragic yet sweet story about love, acceptance and friendship. With new and familiar characters appearing, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 is an absolute crowd pleaser that welcomes new audiences while also rewarding longtime fans. You’ll laugh, smile, cringe at every bone-crunching fatality, and gawk at the spectacular and chaotic nature of JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 . If you want a film to truly enjoy on the big screen, we just found it for you.
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JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 will screen in UK cinemas on March 18th 2022. So, grab your tickets now and witness the might of MAPPA on the big screen. Fans can grab their tickets here.
Check out the trailer below:
Both Crunchyroll and Funimation have the entire series on their platforms, both subbed and dubbed, for fans to catch up on before seeing the theatrical experience.
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