There are only four chapters left until we reach the announced 23rd chapter that will make up the second season of “Jujutsu Kaisen.” The truth is that in Episode 17 the animators complained about the exploitation of Mappa, but in Episode 18, “Jujutsu Kaisen” once again gave us a harsh moment with Nanami’s farewell. Aside from the controversy surrounding the exploitation of mapa labor, and in general, the exploitation of anime workers in Japan, the fact is that even Jiji Akutami himself has acknowledged how animation has improved manga. Nobara Kugisaki’s first big battle was a great example of this. All these feelings, all these conversations about the second season of “Jujutsu Kaisen” lead us to the final chapter 19, “Good and Evil Part 2.”
Mahito continues to do his job but the fact is that Nobara has once again made it clear that she is not another weak companion that is so common in shounen, which makes things difficult for the doubles. Itadori beats the real Mahito. We would all love to beat this character to the ground almost like Itadori. But then Mahito’s Cibellino makes a big change with his doubles and manages to touch Nobara Kugisaki. This is important, Mahito remembers, remembering that he couldn’t kill Nanami with a single touch and that he didn’t know if Nobara would die with that caress on her face.
But then Nobara’s flashback starts, which is a real death sentence when we’re talking about this genre. We see her childhood friend, and we also find out what her beloved Saori is like as Nobara risks her life in order to bring the three of them together again. Back to hell, back to Shibuya, and Itadori has to watch as one of his comrades bids him farewell with a smile as he explodes. Here, yes, only part of her face appears to have been blown off, and even though she fell flat on her back, the fact is that it is very likely that she is alive. We could go to the manga and answer, but we’ll leave it here for anime viewers.
But what we have to say today goes in the other direction. This time we’re not talking about Sukuna, Nanami, or Kugisaki. Itadori, although it may not seem like it sometimes, is the hero of the series. We know that in anime, especially shounen, the main character goes through many traumatic events. They usually take place in their past or childhood, at the beginning of the series, in the middle, and perhaps at the end. Moreover, these traumatic events usually precede a turning point, whether purely emotional or at the level of power, a point that causes the rival to overcome the protagonist and take revenge on him. This means that the sticks usually precede the reward. It also tends to be hot.
But Yuuji Itadori has three consecutive episodes with three different shocks accumulated, without any reward. It seems things won’t get better. Even in Berserk, although its traumas are the most serious we can think of, there is space between the tragedies. We don’t remember an anime that presents us with three consecutive chapters of the protagonist’s real shock, three dramatic moments, without offering him anything. It’s a sad record that “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 seems to want to beat, and one that its dedicated fans will suffer for. Naturally, none of them will set foot at the famous Shibuya Station smiling again.
“Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 premieres every Thursday on Crunchyroll. On the same streaming platform we find The entire first season and the prequel movie “Jujutsu Kaisen 0”.
Rafael is an expert in films, series and video games. His passion is classic and auteur cinema, although he never misses a Marvel movie or a blockbuster on Netflix due to professional distortion. He also has his geeky side, as evidenced by his specialization in anime, K-pop, and all things related to Asian culture.
Depending on his generation, he sometimes had to write about current music hits, from Bizarrap to Blackpink. It even has its exciting side, but unfortunately it is limited to selecting the best exciting series and movies. But he is not limited to this, as he also loves to write about gastronomy, travel, humor and memes.
After 5 years of writing for Fotogramas and Esquire magazine, the truth is that he has already done a little bit of everything, from interviews with international stars to presentations via mobile phone or tasting of oil, insects and, yes, if he is lucky, wine.
He trained in audiovisual communication at the University of Murcia. He then continued his studies at the Carlos III University of Madrid and obtained a master’s degree in research in media. In addition to earning a PhD in Sexual Representation in Author’s Films (which he never finished), he also studied for a Master’s in Film Criticism, both at ECAM and at the Writers’ School. Before that, he started writing for the Cinealacarbonara blog, continued in media such as Amanecemetropolis, Culturamas or Magnolia Magazine, and devoted all his efforts to Mutaciones Magazine since its foundation.
He arrived at Hearst in 2018 and has managed to carve out a niche for himself in the editorial offices of Fotogramas and Esquire, where he continues to write about everything he loves and what they send him (often simultaneously). His good or bad taste (depending on how you look at it) also led him into the world of gastronomy and video games. Come on, he likes to entertain himself.
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