At Anime Expo 2023, MAPPA debuted the first 90 seconds of the first episode of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 to a roaring crowd. The world premiere of the footage closed out a panel that dove into the production process, featured a Q&A with Jujutsu Kaisen mangaka Gege Akutami, and asked what fans could expect from the upcoming season. Coming off of two successful and stunning seasons for Hell’s Paradise and Chainsaw Man, fans at the Anime Expo 2023 panel packed the hall. Waiting to hear more about their favorite characters from Tokyo Jujutsu High,
In the first 90 seconds of Jujsutu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 1, it’s clear that we’re not just in a different time but a different mood, a different atmosphere, and the tension is immediate. Simpler in presentation, the first 90 seconds of the episode feature Suguru Geto walking through Tokyo in disdain. In a monochromatic scheme, it’s Jujutsu Kaisen like we haven’t seen before. Geto is more intimidating, and in just that brief look at the opening of the episode, the tension between him and Satoru Gojo is palpable as it ends on the two across a crowded street.
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The ominous nature of the opening of Jujtsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 1 is something that manga readers will feel. While Shibuya is the big emotional damage hammer, the first half of the season, Hidden Inventory/Premature Death Arc offers just as much depth and intensity in its own self-contained way, especially coming off of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. The choice to include pieces of Gojo and Geto’s past in the feature film is sure to pay off, just based on this world premiere first look.
But this dark atmosphere isn’t all you’ll get in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2. CEO of Studio MAPPA, Manabu Otsuka explained what we could expect from Season 2. Otsuka said, “What you just saw was a quiet and calm opening but when you go into the episode you will see comedy and action scenes.” Additionally, Otsaku commented about seeing fan-favorite Toji Fushiguro, the jujutsu sorcerer killer, noting for the crowd that they would see things “you’ve never seen before” from the character. MAPPA has proven its ability to work within adaptation while adding elements that embrace the core of the manga while still building something new. And that alone is a reason to be excited for Toji to take the stage as the central antagonist in the first arc of the season.
Additionally, during the panel, Shueisha editor Ryota Ikeda explained that Gege Akutami is heavily involved in the production of the series. Ikeda said, “Akutami-sensei is involved in writing the scenarios and checking the scenes and doing the storyboards as well. Mappa really honors the original work of Jujutsu Kaisen, so MAPPA and Akutami-sensei are often in communication and make sure that if something goes out of line they can fix it.” Ikeda also noted “We also ask him about how to interpret some of the scenes from the original manga,” which should have fans, especially of Toji Fushigoru, excited going into Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2.
The impact of the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom isn’t lost on MAPPA, specifically the global nature of the property. When asked about what Jujutsu Kaisen means to MAPPA as an animation studio, Otsuka said, “Thanks to all of the creators and staff that have worked on the anime and the fans, [Jujutsu Kaisen] grew our company to a global scale and we’re honored to have Jujutsu Kaisen be one of the representative titles to come out of MAPPA.”
Jujutsu Kaisen‘s momentum doesn’t have any signs of slowing and if Gege Akutami’s manga is any indication fans are about to be put through the wringer. While the previous season was largely light in tone, the second season will run both cours consecutively in order to keep the pacing. The first cour will encompass Hidden Inventory/Premature Death Arc and then the second cour will encompass The Shibuya Incident Arc. In between the two, there will be recap episodes to get fans up to speed with the events of the first season and the prequel movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
Jujsutsu Kaisen Season 2’s first episode premieres July 6, exclusively on Crunchyroll.
