Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution review: A visually explosive spectacle built for fans, not first-time viewers

Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution was one of the most anticipated movies produced by Mappa Studios. Fans were counting down on days till it would finally be available to go and watch in theaters. But since this film has been released, the movie has received a mixed bag of opinions from fans and critics. It is all because it is not a standalone film but a bold installment that exists in an unusual space between recap, sequel, and theatrical preview.

We see that Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution focused on making sure to condense the events that took place in season two, particularly around the Shibuya Incident, before fans got to see brand-new content. This decision worked in favour of those who watched this film with prior information, but it did not sit well with newcomers. This is not the first time in the world of anime where the audience was required to watch previous installments before walking into this film.

For instance, this year itself, we had popular franchises like Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man release their films, and they ended up becoming extremely popular. Coming back to talking about Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution movie, it started aggressively by jumping right into the recap of Season 2. It went around the first half of this film.

For viewers who followed the anime closely, this portion works as a refresher, albeit an extremely dense one. Iconic moments flash by at breakneck speed, prioritizing spectacle over clarity. However, for anyone who hasn’t watched the series up to this point, the recap is nearly incomprehensible. They have noted that the characters appear and disappear without context.

Moreover, for a new audience, the motivation behind the action seemed like it is barely explained, and the emotional weight that made these scenes resonate originally is largely lost. Instead of easing viewers into the world, the film overwhelms them with information, trusting prior knowledge to fill in the gaps. It is strongly recommended to catch up on Jujutsu Kaisen anime before watching this film.

Stunning animation and sound carry the experience

Now, if we shift our focus to the positives of Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution movie, the production value of Mappa Studio is phenomenal. Anyone who watched this film cannot deny that the overall animation quality is breathtaking. With Gege Akutami's story and Mappa's animation, this franchise has the power to reel in fans and keep them hooked.

Even the sound design and soundtrack in Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution amplify the chaos, making every clash feel thunderous and intense. Even critics of the film’s pacing and structure often agree that, moment to moment, Execution is thrilling to watch. As a pure sensory experience, it delivers exactly what fans expect from the franchise.

Fan reaction to Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution

As this film focuses on its first half in recap and only the second half has new content, the fandom is split, as some enjoyed the nostalgia, while others felt that being charged full theater prices for what amounts to a heavily edited montage of previously aired material is difficult to justify. As fans have taken their opinion on social media, some of the most common sentiments toward the Execution film have been:

"Watching JJK Execution further solidified my hype for season 3 and Gosso's version of Jujutsu Kaisen. In the best way, he simply refuses to take the easy route in any aspect of the direction process. Atmosphere and processing were the biggest standouts." Said one fan.

"Man...Jujutsu Kaisen Execution was so good! It almost makes me can't wait for the Culling Game Arc..." added another fan.

"Of all the recent anime events in theaters, I liked JUJUTSU KAISEN: EXECUTION the least, it's just a lot of screaming, rapid editing, motion and destruction with little coherence or cohesion, sorry, I just don't get the appeal." Stated a netizen.

Both these sides have valid points, but in the end, those who have yet to watch this film should give it a chance based on the attachment one has towards this franchise.

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Final verdict

Ultimately, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution is a movie that should not be skipped. While it does have its issues of not being a standalone movie, but audience cannot deny that it is a visual treat. This installment is a hype-driven theatrical event meant to re-engage the fanbase ahead of Season 3, and it largely succeeds. In the end, those who have caught up with the anime or manga reader have thoroughly enjoyed watching this franchise on the big screen.

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