Uncovering Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Finale's Unseen Nuggets: Reinforcing MAPPA as the Perfect Studio Pick
Jujutsu Kaisen season 2: Unveiling the hidden gems in MAPPA's finale With 23 thrilling episodes, the Hidden Inventory and Shibuya Incident arcs came to life, leaving fans captivated and craving for more A closer look at the major alterations in the opening and the overwhelming fan reactions An ultimate analysis and concluding thoughts
Season 2 of Jujutsu Kaisen concluded in December 2023 with 23 episodes, diving deep into the Hidden Inventory arc and the Shibuya Incident arc. The highly-anticipated Season 3 has been confirmed and will explore the Culling Games arc.
While initial spoilers hinted at the Shibuya Incident arc, the studio skillfully made subtle adjustments, teasing each episode's events and sustaining suspense to captivate the audience throughout the unfolding narrative.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen season 2.
Jujutsu Kaisen season 2: Every Major alteration of the opening
The image of Gojo as depicted in the anime for Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (Image via MAPPA)
The second season of Jujutsu Kaisen kicked off the Shibuya Incident arc on August 31, 2023, starting with Episode 6. Throughout the arc, the adaptation of the Shibuya Incident featured slightly modified openings every few episodes. Unfortunately, these changes included significant spoilers for key events in the season.
Comparison between the original opening and the opening of Episode 23 (Image via MAPPA)
Despite the initial alignment with the arc's foreshadowed events, the opening underwent minor adjustments throughout subsequent episodes to accurately reflect major occurrences within each episode. The alterations aimed to synchronize the evolving narrative and maintain a cohesive representation of the Shibuya Incident arc's unfolding developments.
Season 2 of Jujutsu Kaisen has made several changes to the opening sequences, mostly focusing on visual improvements. For example, Jogo's flames have been made brighter, additional facial details have been added to Gojo's portrayal, and Toji's hands have been animated in the opening. The most significant changes can be seen in Episode 20 and Episode 23.
In the original opening, the viewers are given an overview of the entire Shibuya region towards the end. However, in Episode 20, the depiction of Shibuya is altered to show the entire area blacked out, symbolizing the "Shibuya Incident" where Sukuna destroys the entire region.
The alterations in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 episode 23 (Image via MAPPA)
Another significant change in Episode 20 occurs in the closing scenes of the opening. In the original opening, all main characters stand confidently, but in Episode 20's opening, every character is conspicuously absent. This reflects the real consequences of the Shibuya Incident arc, particularly the deaths of Nanami and Nobara.
In Episode 23, there is a major change. The usual scene of Ieri Shoko standing on a railing with a cigarette is now done by Yuta. This change hints at the upcoming events and the eagerly awaited debut and comeback of Yuta Okkotsu, making it a crucial moment in the episode.
Fan reactions to the changes in the opening
The changes made to the opening sequences have received widespread praise, leading to many jokes about the eerie connection between the characters shown and their later fates in the Shibuya Incident arc. This has become a source of amusement within the fan community. The absence of Shoko Ieiri from the opening has also sparked conversations.
Final Thoughts
Some viewed this as a chance to emphasize her perceived lack of participation during the Shibuya Incident arc and the entire manga. Ieiri's apparent lack of action also sparked discussion among fans, despite her recognition within the Jujutsu society for her ability to regenerate entire limbs through reverse cursed techniques.
MAPPA's exquisite attention to detail and subtle changes in the beginning scenes showcase their outstanding ability as the perfect studio for bringing Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 to life. Despite recent controversies, MAPPA's talent is evident, proving their expertise in capturing the complex intricacies of the manga.
MAPPA's expert management of the series, as demonstrated by their meticulous adjustments, solidifies their position as one of the top studios, unquestionably capable of bringing Jujutsu Kaisen to life on screen.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Jujutsu Kaisen, I was thrilled to see the second season finally come to a close. The Hidden Inventory and Shibuya Incident arcs were incredibly well-adapted, and I was particularly impressed with the way MAPPA handled the changes to the opening sequences. The subtle adjustments they made to reflect the major events in each episode were truly masterful, and it really helped to build suspense and keep me engaged throughout the season.
I also appreciated the way MAPPA handled the character development in season 2. The growth of Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi was particularly well-portrayed, and I felt like I really got to know them on a deeper level. The voice acting was also top-notch, and I thought the English dub did a great job of capturing the characters' personalities. Overall, I thought Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 was an excellent adaptation of the manga, and I can't wait to see what season 3 has in store.
