By Brian Pham
Warning: This movie contains spoilers for the movie “Jujutsu Kaisen 0.”
“Jujutsu Kaisen” is one of the most popular anime right now, and while fans patiently wait for season two, MAPPA Studios has held over fans by releasing an adaptation of the manga prequel, “Jujutsu Kaisen 0,” which came out on March 18.
Plot
Yuta Okkutsu and Rika Orimoto were childhood friends who lived a seemingly normal life and were childhood sweethearts, promising to get married to each other. However, this changed when Rika died in a car accident as a child.
Since then, Rika has haunted Yuta as a curse (a sort of monster in this world), who protects Yuta against bullies by killing them. Because of this, the Jujutsu Society has ordered the execution of Yuta, but upon the request of Tokyo Jujutsu Technical High teacher, Satoru Gojo, he is taken to Tokyo Jujutsu Technical High School to learn how to use magic to exorcist curses.
Yuta meets many new people such as his fellow students Maki Zenin, Toge Inumaki and Panda, and bonds with them throughout his time at the academy. He also begins to learn how to control Rika and use her power to help other people.
Yuta, however, is being targeted by Suguru Geto, a rogue Jujutsu Sorcerer, who seeks to use Rika’s power to create a world where only Jujutsu Sorcerers exist. In an attempt to this, Suguru has enlisted the help of other sorcerers who believe in his ideals, and declares war on the Jujutsu Society by releasing over 100 curses in Tokyo and Kyoto.
This, however, is a diversion for his goal to obtain Rika from Yuta, and he breaks into Tokyo Jujutsu Technical High School. Here he fights Maki, Toge and Panda and eventually Yuta.
During his year of training, Yuta was able to progress dramatically, and puts up a good fight against Suguru. But, he is only able to defeat him after making a final deal with Rika, in which he promised to go to the afterlife with her.
Yuta is able to defeat Suguru, and his promise with Rika actually frees her from the curse and it is revealed that Yuta is the descendant of a powerful sorcerer, and upon seeing Rika’s death as a child, accidentally turned her into a curse.
Review
“Jujutsu Kaisen 0” is a fantastic movie for those who love “Jujutsu Kaisen” and for those who are new to the franchise.
The movie provides a backstory on plenty of characters seen in the show, including but not limited to Satoru Gojo, Maki Zenin, Toge Inumaki, Panda and many more.
While it does not have our usual protagonist of Itadori Yuuji, Yuta is still a likable protagonist and being able to see him grow in confidence and ability is just part of the great parts of the movie.
Some of the most memorable scenes in the movie are the fight scenes. Combined with excellent animation, background music and dialogue, every fight scene in the movie is something to be remembered.
One of the best fight scenes in the movie is when Satoru goes up against Miguel, one of Suguru’s followers.
In addition, the movie knows when to be sad, serious, funny and action-packed at the same time. The soundtrack matches these scenes, and transitions well into each other.
Even if you don’t know anything about “Jujutsu Kaisen 0”, consider watching it in theaters, and if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll definitely enjoy this movie!
