Warning! Contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 1!
The hit anime Jujutsu Kaisen has begun its second season on a great note by adding key details that the manga omitted. Oftentimes, anime-only content is viewed by fans as being filler that takes away from the actual plot of the series. But studio Mappa is proving these fans wrong with Jujutsu Kaisen's stellar premiere. Jujutsu Kaisen's second season is one of the year's most hyped anime, and the first episode will be a treat both for anime-only viewers and those who read the manga religiously.
The premiere begins with Mei Mei and Utahime trying to destroy a cursed spirit that has taken up residence in a haunted mansion. The backstory of that spirit, describing the tragic fall of a family is portrayed in an innovative home movies style which is refreshing to see. When Mei Mei and Utahime get to the mansion, they split up to explore, which features some more great shots and a fun showcase of Utahime's character as she checks out the various rooms. After the two reunite, they realize they are trapped in an infinite hallway like the Eternity Devil Hotel in Chainsaw Man. This is a great and engaging introduction to the season that surprisingly is absent from the manga.
Jujutsu Kaisen's Anime Adds Scenes That Improve Its Source Material
The first chapter of the Gojo's Past arc begins with Mei Mei and Utahime already in the mansion hunting down the spirit, but it doesn't actually dive into more detail besides that. After only a couple pages, Gojo uses his overpowered Limitless technique to take care of the spirits himself. While this is the largest change in the episode, the premiere also changes some scenes around, beginning with narration from Geto that takes place at the end of the Gojo's Past arc in the manga. It also reframes the philosophical discussion between Gojo and Geto by having them play basketball during it instead of just having them sit in a classroom.
These changes are all unique to the anime, but they improve the source material. In the manga, the Gojo's past arc begins disconcertingly, starting in media res, which could have been confusing to some anime fans, especially after the long wait between seasons. Introducing the events of this arc through Geto's perspective helps fans understand why this flashback exists. In addition, fleshing out what Utahime and Mei Mei are doing at the start gives screen time to two criminally underused characters and helps anime watchers orient themselves even more. On top of all this, the anime-only scenes are beautifully directed, making them interesting and compelling in their own right.
Jujutsu Kaisen's Added Scenes Hint That The Anime Will Just Get Better
All of this is a testament to how great an adaptation Jujutsu Kaisen's new season is so far. Mappa has taken all they have learned both from Jujutsu Kaisen's first season and their stellar work on Chainsaw Man's anime to craft something with the potential to sur both. The anime-only scenes in Jujutsu Kaisen's second season premiere are superb additions to the story that imply that the adaptation will elevate its source material.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 1 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
