ANIME REVIEW - Jujutsu Kaisen: Season 2
By The Masked Medic
I feel that ever since I opened myself up to starting a new category of review, it’s basically all I want to do now. I took a little break to watch the first season of Kaiju No. 8, but naturally, with a third season round the corner, it was time to return to Gege Akutami’s world!
‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Season 2 starts with a flashback arc. We get to see everyone’s favourite teacher, Satoru Gojo, as a student himself, with his fellow second years, Sugeru Geto and Shoko Ieiri. Gojo and Geto are given a mission to protect a young girl who is due to be absorbed into Tengen, a mystical, immortal jujutsu sorcerer who is responsible for maintaining the protective barrier over the Jujutsu High Schools. However, two separate groups are trying to stop this absorption process and target the girl, as well as Gojo and Geto. The second arc brings us back to the present day, with the group of curses, consisting of Hanami, Jogo, Mahito, and the now villain Geto, having finally come up with a plan to stop Gojo. All of this takes place in Shibuya in Tokyo, and starts with the villains setting up a number of veils to trap innocent people in and to keep the jujitsu sorcerers out - all except Gojo. As Gojo descends down into the underground, he is met by several challenges and challengers - all designed for him alone. Meanwhile, the remaining sorcerers are split into teams and begin to attempt to break the veils and make their way down to help Gojo. Can the villains pull off their plan before backup arrives? And what will come of the city of Tokyo once this is all over?
I have to say, I think having two arcs in one season was a pretty good idea. The first arc, although considerably shorter, almost acts as a palate cleanser as we get to meet some of the characters we know in slightly different circumstances, but also we’re introduced to some new and iconic characters *cough* Toji *cough*. Personally, the highlight of that arc was the friendship between Gojo and Geto, something that we haven’t really seen prior to this. I think the evolution of who they end up becoming is clear, but it’s nice to see a time when they were best friends. The reason I think that first arc is needed is that the Shibuya Arc is like going from 0-100 in a second. You know how the first season is like, ooh, there are these schools that train jujutsu sorcerers, and the two branches have a little rivalry, so cute? Well, the second season is like imagine what it would be like if the world had no hope and entire cities were under supernatural attacks. There were a lot of moments where I needed to pause just to understand what was going on, and I’m grateful to my anime expert sister who broke down some of the concepts for me. That being said, there were some truly spectacular moments, where my jaw was on the floor. There were more twists and turns than I could imagine, and by the end of the season, I needed a quiet moment to just sit and reflect on what I had watched. Thus, the delay in getting this review to you!
Similar to the first season, this second season clocks in at 23 episodes, but unlike that first season, it definitely felt like every episode was building on the story. There was perhaps one filler episode, but it was quite funny, so I didn’t mind. The one criticism I have is that the ending of this season, like its predecessor, left me slightly confused. I love the animation style of this show, and there were so many amazing fight scenes that took my breath away. One stood above the rest, but I’ll let you guys find it. The music this season was a step up. The opening of the ‘Shibuya Arc’ was done by a group called Gnu. It’s so catchy, I’ve made it my ringtone. Do you understand how good something needs to sound for me to revert to a teenager who is looking to download a new ringtone? Unreal. Overall, this season takes the stakes sky high, and I’m so, so excited for season 3!
Rating:
Story: ★★★★
Character Development: ★★★★½
Animation and Visual Style: ★★★★
World Building: ★★★★
Enjoyability: ★★★★½