Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Director: Shōta Goshozono
Total Episodes: Ongoing (24 episodes confirmed for Season 2)
Studio: MAPPA
Genres: Action, Supernatural, Dark Fantasy, Shounen
“Jujutsu Kaisen” continues to solidify its position as one of the most popular and exciting modern anime with its second season, which premiered in 2023 and carries into 2024. Based on the manga by Gege Akutami, this new season covers two crucial arcs: the Hidden Inventory/Premature Death arc and the highly anticipated Shibuya Incident arc, bringing both explosive action and deeply emotional storylines to the forefront. Directed by Shōta Goshozono, Season 2 brings a fresh and polished style to the series, while maintaining the high standards that fans expect from Studio MAPPA.
Story & Setting
Season 2 begins with the Hidden Inventory/Premature Death arc, which is a flashback to the past of Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto, two of the most powerful jujutsu sorcerers in their youth. The story explores their friendship and the missions that shaped their futures. This arc is a deep dive into the backstories of these beloved characters, highlighting how the choices they made in their youth led them down vastly different paths—Gojo becoming a hero and teacher at Tokyo Jujutsu High, and Geto becoming a villain who seeks to eliminate non-sorcerers. The emotional complexity and moral dilemmas presented in this arc give the show a depth that goes beyond its action-packed surface.
The second half of the season, the Shibuya Incident arc, is a fan-favorite and widely regarded as one of the best arcs in the entire manga. The stakes are incredibly high as the Jujutsu sorcerers face off against Suguru Geto’s forces in a massive, destructive battle that takes place in Shibuya. This arc is action-heavy, filled with jaw-dropping fights, devastating consequences, and a relentless pace that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Set in modern-day Japan, Jujutsu Kaisen blends urban settings with supernatural elements. The dark, gritty atmosphere of the Shibuya Incident contrasts with the bright, youthful energy of the flashback arc, creating a dynamic and visually engaging world. The series balances moments of intense emotional weight with lighter, often humorous, interactions between its characters, keeping the tone from becoming overwhelmingly dark.
Characters
The character development in Season 2 is one of its strongest elements, giving both new and returning characters their moments to shine.
Satoru Gojo: Arguably one of the most popular characters in anime right now, Gojo’s backstory is explored in great detail during the first arc. Fans get to see a more vulnerable and human side of him, as he grapples with his growing power and the responsibilities it brings. The season delves into the emotional weight Gojo carries as someone who is both revered and feared, and how this impacts his relationships with those around him.
Suguru Geto: Geto’s character arc is one of tragedy and complexity. Once Gojo’s best friend, his fall from grace is deeply emotional, as we see how his ideals and hatred for non-sorcerers grow over time. Geto’s journey from an idealistic youth to a dangerous antagonist is one of the most compelling aspects of the season.
Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaki: While the first half focuses on Gojo and Geto, the Shibuya Incident brings the main trio back into the spotlight. Yuji continues to grapple with his role as the vessel for Sukuna, the King of Curses, while Megumi and Nobara face their own battles, both physical and emotional. Their growth, particularly Yuji’s evolving understanding of the curse world and his responsibilities, is well-handled and adds to the overall intensity of the Shibuya arc.
Toji Fushiguro: A standout character in the Hidden Inventory arc, Toji is introduced as a fearsome assassin and father of Megumi Fushiguro. His cold, calculating demeanor and brutal combat abilities make him one of the season’s most memorable characters. His interactions with Gojo and Geto are pivotal to the arc’s emotional weight.
Animation & Art
Studio MAPPA once again delivers some of the best animation seen in modern anime. The action scenes in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 are fluid, fast-paced, and visually stunning, with each fight feeling distinct and packed with creativity. The Shibuya Incident arc, in particular, showcases some of the most breathtaking and intricate battle sequences, with a focus on hand-to-hand combat, powerful curse techniques, and destructive, large-scale battles.
The character designs are sharp and expressive, with attention to detail in everything from Gojo’s iconic blindfold to the cursed creatures that roam the world. The use of color is also notable, especially during the more supernatural moments, where vibrant blues, purples, and reds dominate the screen, contrasting with the dark urban landscapes of Shibuya.
The animation during quieter, more emotional moments is just as impressive, with subtle facial expressions and body language conveying the internal struggles of the characters. The studio’s ability to balance high-octane action with nuanced, character-driven scenes is one of the reasons why Jujutsu Kaisen continues to stand out in a crowded genre.
Soundtrack & Music
The music in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 perfectly complements the high-energy action and emotional depth of the series. Hiroaki Tsutsumi, Yoshiaki Dewa, and Alisa Okehazama return to provide a soundtrack that ranges from intense, fast-paced tracks during battles to more melancholic, atmospheric pieces during character-driven moments. The opening and ending themes for Season 2 are both energetic and visually creative, with the opening theme “Where Our Blue Is” by Tatsuya Kitani being a particular highlight.
The voice acting, as expected, is top-notch. Yuichi Nakamura as Gojo and Takahiro Sakurai as Geto bring emotional depth to their performances, particularly during the flashback arc. The cast’s ability to convey both the humor and the intense drama of the series is one of the reasons the show resonates so strongly with its audience.
Themes & Social Commentary
Jujutsu Kaisen continues to explore themes of death, sacrifice, and the cost of power in Season 2. The show delves deeper into the responsibilities of jujutsu sorcerers and the toll that fighting curses takes on both their physical and emotional well-being. The concept of moral ambiguity is also a strong theme, with characters like Geto presenting compelling, albeit misguided, viewpoints on the state of the world.
Power and Responsibility: The season explores how power isolates individuals and the burden it places on them, particularly through Gojo’s character. His overwhelming strength is both a blessing and a curse, as it distances him from his peers and makes him a target for those seeking to control or destroy him.
Betrayal and Trust: The friendship between Gojo and Geto is a tragic exploration of how ideals can drive even the closest of friends apart. Their differing views on how to deal with the curse world and non-sorcerers highlight the fragile nature of trust and how easily it can be shattered by conflicting ideologies.
Sacrifice and Duty: The Shibuya Incident arc, in particular, is filled with moments where characters must sacrifice their safety, or even their lives, for the greater good. The series continually emphasizes the heavy burden placed on jujutsu sorcerers and the harsh realities of the world they live in.
Criticism
While Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 is a thrilling continuation of the story, it’s not without its minor flaws. The pacing in the Shibuya Incident arc can feel relentless, with one action scene after another, leaving little room for character reflection in between the chaos. While this works for fans who crave non-stop action, it might overwhelm those looking for more balanced storytelling.
Additionally, while the flashback arc offers valuable insight into Gojo and Geto’s characters, it slows down the progression of the main story. Some viewers may find it jarring to jump from this emotionally heavy arc into the intense, fast-paced Shibuya arc.
Final Thoughts
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 is a masterclass in balancing character development with heart-pounding action. The show builds upon the foundation laid in the first season, diving deeper into the backstories of key characters while delivering some of the most intense and visually stunning battles in recent anime. The stakes are higher, the emotions more raw, and the consequences more severe, making this season a gripping and unforgettable experience.
For fans of dark fantasy, supernatural action, and emotionally complex storytelling, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 is a must-watch. With Studio MAPPA’s incredible animation and a story that keeps pushing its characters to their limits, it’s easy to see why this series remains one of the top anime of 2024.
