Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel movie to the popular anime series Jujutsu Kaisen, based on the manga by Gege Akutami. Scroll down to watch both Dubbed and Subbed online in one click
It was released in Japan in December 2022 and achieved significant success, selling over 1 million tickets and earning more than 1 billion yen. During its opening weekend, the movie nearly tripled its box-office earnings, making it a strong competitor to the record-breaking Demon Slayer film.
The story of Jujutsu Kaisen is set in a world where humans possess Cursed Energy, which can give rise to malevolent creatures called Curses or Cursed Spirits. The anime follows the journey of Yuji Itadori, a high-school student who becomes the host of Ryomen Sukuna, one of the most powerful Curses. As a result, a group of Jujutsu Sorcerers, individuals who can control Cursed Energy to combat evil spirits, enroll Yuji in the Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School to help him harness his newfound abilities while keeping a close watch on him.
In Jujutsu Kaisen 0, the movie introduces a different protagonist named Yuta Okkotsu. Yuta is portrayed as a timid, gloomy, and bullied individual, unlike Yuji's hyper-energetic and extroverted personality. Despite these differences, the movie follows a similar premise to the TV series. It acts as both a prequel and a remake, as it guides the audience through the induction process of a high-schooler into the world of Jujutsu sorcery and the existence of Cursed Spirits.
The success of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 can be attributed to its ability to tell a compelling standalone story that connects with the main series and enhances its overall narrative. Additionally, it manages to appeal to both existing fans of the franchise and newcomers, creating a satisfying viewing experience for a broader audience. The movie's exploration of a new character's journey into the world of Jujutsu adds depth to the established lore, making it an enjoyable addition to the series.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 offers plenty of content for longtime fans to enjoy, introducing a character named Yuta Okkotsu, who has been mentioned in the series but makes his first screen appearance in the movie. Yuta's backstory is beautifully tragic, as he is haunted by a powerful Curse named Rika, who was his childhood love. After Rika's untimely death in a traffic accident, she transformed into a snake-haired, fang-faced monstrosity, creating a striking contrast between her horrifying appearance and her sweet but sometimes capricious, childlike demeanor. This makes Rika one of the most memorable cursed spirits in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe.
The film also delves deeper into the character of Suguru Geto, who has been a recurring presence in Jujutsu Kaisen but usually played a secondary role to the main antagonist, Mahito. However, in Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Geto takes center stage, showcasing his larger-than-life personality and providing a refreshing change. Geto's happy-go-lucky attitude while committing atrocities infuriates the main characters, and his portrayal as an antagonist adds depth to the story.
The movie features an intense and exhilarating fight between Geto and Yuta, with director Sunghoo Park's expertise evident in the dynamic camera movements that convey lightning-fast action. The battle becomes even more intense as Yuta's sudden rage adds an extra layer of excitement to the scene. The fight sequences, reminiscent of Sunghoo Park's work in the God of High School anime, contribute to making the 105-minute runtime of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 thoroughly enjoyable for dedicated fans of the series.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is particularly appealing to newcomers, as it distills the essence of the Jujutsu Kaisen series into its most accessible elements. The movie is based on a manga that predates the Jujutsu Kaisen comic, initially published as "Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical School" in the 2017 issue of Jump GIGA. This standalone short series delved into the world of Curses and Jujutsu Sorcerers and was meant to be a brief four-chapter story. However, its popularity led Gege Akutami to expand on its premise and eventually create the Jujutsu Kaisen universe with the iconic character, Yuji Itadori.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 keeps its plot simple and primarily focuses on characters like Yuta, his teacher Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, and the second-year students of Tokyo Jujutsu High School, including Maki Zenin, Toge Inumaki, and Panda, whom fans are familiar with from the TV series. The movie provides sufficient explanations to allow newcomers to follow the story easily, making it a perfect entry point into the franchise. For those less acquainted with the series, Jujutsu Kaisen revolves around Yuji's quest to give people a "proper death." This theme prompts exploration into what constitutes a proper life, which is a recurring motif throughout the anime.
The TV series dives deeper into philosophical messages through various character arcs, such as Kento Nanami's exploration of the value of helping others over money and Maki's story of breaking away from societal expectations and embracing individuality. The cursed wombs introduced in the TV series also touch upon the significance of family and living a "proper" life.
While Jujutsu Kaisen 0 contains traces of these themes, the movie primarily focuses on Yuta's arc, which serves as a lesson about letting go and moving forward. While it may not delve as deeply into the philosophical aspects as the TV series, longtime fans will still find satisfaction in the film's concise and efficient representation of the franchise's ideas. By keeping the narrative simple, the movie encourages viewers to want more and gently nudges them toward exploring the TV show. In this way, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 caters to both newcomers and existing fans, offering a delightful experience for all audiences.