Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8: Exciting Twist in Shibuya Arc Ignites Controversial Change by MAPPA!

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 revealed what many fans have been hoping for and others have been worried about: Mappa's approach to restructuring the Shibuya arc. Given the complex nature of the manga's storytelling, it was inevitable that changes would need to be made. However, as always, there is room for improvement in the execution.

Episode 8 of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 is the first to receive criticism for its animation. There is debate surrounding the reasons behind the downgrade, but it is clear that Mappa is facing challenges as they delve further into the Shibuya arc.

Was rearranging the Shibuya Incident arc inevitable? Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8: A review

: A Game-Changing Episode: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 Introduces the Bewildering Ui Ui.

Expand Tweet

In this review, the importance of the episode's synopsis is minimal, so a brief overview will be provided below, with a comprehensive analysis available at the conclusion of the article. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 encompasses sections of chapters 83 to 85 and fully portrays chapters 86 to 88.

In Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8, Gojo ventured into B5F of Shibuya Station on the Fukutoshin line, where he encountered Choso, Jogo, and Hanami. Acting upon Geto's orders, these Curses sought to impede Gojo's combat abilities and keep him detained for a duration of 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, at Meiji-Jingumae station, Mei Mei and Ui Ui, accompanied by Yuji, attempted to breach the second barrier encircling the station. Prior to the team's entry into B4F, Yuji successfully vanquished a Grasshopper Curse. In parallel, Mahito boarded a train bound for Shibuya from Meiji-Jingumae.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8: Criticisms

Expand Tweet

The animation of Yuji vs. Ko-guy in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 received significant criticism due to its dimmed and ghosted appearance, making it difficult to watch even for dedicated fans. It is unclear whether this is the fault of the animators, the distributor, or the streaming platform.

Fans have noticed a distinct difference between the original Japanese version and the streamed version on Crunchyroll, leading them to place blame on the streaming platform. Manga readers have rightfully pointed out that the fight depicted in the manga is fast-paced and blurry, giving MAPPA, the animation studio, very limited material to work with.

The remaining portion of the episode proceeded seamlessly, mirroring the smoothness of its predecessors. It presented Gojo's intense battle against the Curses, while also delivering a flawlessly executed flashback showcasing the intertwined past of Geto and Jogo. Particularly, the flashback displayed brilliant utilization, effectively conveying a significant amount of information within a seemingly uncomplicated setting.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 introduced Ui Ui, a controversial addition to the cast. The episode effectively used the narrator during Yuji vs. Ko-guy, eliminating concerns from the previous episode.

The reception to Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 was mixed, but the reasons for the mixed response are not important in the long run. Instead of following the manga's chapter-to-chapter adaptation, Mappa chose to rearrange the events slightly. To fully understand the significance of this, it is necessary to examine how the manga structures this arc.

Shibuya arc in the manga

The beginning of the Shibuya arc in the manga (Image via Shueisha/Gege Akutami)

The Shibuya Incident arc in the manga is presented as a blend of a police report and a documentary, a concept that is not entirely new. However, Mangaka Akutami's execution of it stands out due to the balanced emphasis on key aspects of the event.

Nevertheless, the manga offers three main advantages: a deliberate slow pace, weekly breaks for readers to digest the events at a more suitable pace, and the ability to revisit previous issues to recall the timeline. Conversely, the anime lacks these elements, necessitating Mappa to adapt the storytelling to ensure a smoother narrative flow.

MAPPA’s restructuring of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8

The Shibuya arc distinguishes itself from the rest of the series due to its unique and dynamic narrative structure. Unlike the linear progression seen in other arcs, Akutami opts for a non-linear approach, keeping the story in constant motion. Battles are abruptly interrupted, only to be revisited several chapters later, leaving readers in anticipation of how they initially unfolded. This deliberate choice creates a feeling of frenzy and adds to the pervasive sense of chaos that engulfs this entire arc.

In Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8, viewers catch a glimpse of Ko-Guy (Image via MAPPA). One advantage Mappa holds in this regard is the ability of animation to capture a similar sense of chaos without the abrupt shift from one timestamp to another. With the adaptation of the anime already taking some liberties, it was only a matter of time before further changes were made.

Instead, using animation to depict the same narrative brilliance would not only fail to establish Shibuya as a pivotal point in the anime, as it had already been in the manga, but also diminish the impact of certain events that occur later on.

With that in mind, let's examine Mappa's approach in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8. Rather than proceeding with Gojo's battle against the Curses and then transitioning to Meiji-Jingumae halfway through, Mappa chose to prioritize Team Mei Mei's mission before the Gojo fight.

During Jogo's flashback in Episode 8 of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (Image via MAPPA), the story progresses by showcasing Yuji's intense battle with Ko-guy. As the episode unfolds, Yuji unexpectedly encounters a civilian at B4F, only to abruptly switch back to Gojo's ongoing fight. The rest of the episode maintains the chronological events from the manga, although the flashback scenes are intertwined with the present action and past memories.

The future possibilities for the Shibuya arc in the anime

Although it does enhance the convenience of tracking the events from Meiji–Jingumae to Shibuya, it sets the stage for an intense confrontation between Gojo and the Curses, which will unfold seamlessly in the upcoming episode. Anticipated to be an arduous and prolonged battle, it is expected to occupy the entire ninth episode, culminating with the unveiling of the Prison Realm.

Expand Tweet

The focus should lie on the implications of this restructuring, rather than on its current presentation. As mentioned earlier, while the impactfulness of Shibuya is not solely dependent on its structure, the distinctive timeline adds a significant level of credibility to the shocking elements.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 demonstrates Mappa's preference for a focused and multi-linear narrative structure, presenting events one by one rather than all at once. This approach allows for a more accessible and easily digestible viewing experience, particularly considering the medium of animation. However, it presents a challenge when we reach the latter part of the Shibuya arc.

The opening of the Prison Realm, as hinted in the Shibuya Arc opening (Image via MAPPA)

As we delve further into the arc, the narrative becomes increasingly complex and dispersed across numerous locations. While some battles can follow a similar format as Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8, progressing from one fight to the next without clarity can lead to confusion due to the intricate interconnections.

It is likely that Mappa will customize their adaptation on a per-episode and per-fight basis. The Shibuya arc's progression is dynamic and requires the adaptation to be just as flexible. Similar to the inclusion of a narrator, rearranging the timeline is a risky move that Mappa must handle with caution.

Final thoughts

Gojo during his battle at B5F in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 (Image via MAPPA)

Can rearranging the timeline diminish the essence of Shibuya? Yes, it can. Changing the chronology has the potential to completely ruin Shibuya's essence. However, at this point, that hasn't happened yet in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8. Nevertheless, it introduces the possibility of such a sacrilege occurring. The key is to avoid making broad and excessive changes. Moderation is crucial for a successful adaptation, and hopefully, Mappa will handle the more delicate moments of the Shibuya Incident Timeline with caution.

Related links:

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 8 highlights

Episode 9 release date

How MAPPA may structure Shibuya

List of Shibuya arc locations

Jujutsu Kaisen story arcs

Shibuya Arc opening theme Easter Eggs