Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution Delivers a Brutal, Bold New Chapter

Anime has been smashing it at the box office this year, with titles like Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man drawing crowds in droves. Now, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution is throwing its hat in the ring, hoping to become the next big thing for the genre. The film stitches together the aftermath of Season 2 and sets the stage for what’s coming next, but it’s definitely one for the die-hard fans—anyone else might find themselves a bit lost.

Picking Up the Pieces After Shibuya

The story kicks off right where Season 2 left off, recapping the last chunk of The Shibuya Incident. If you missed those episodes, there’s a quick refresher, but the emotional weight is heavy—favourite characters meet their end, and Yuji Itadori is left reeling. With Pseudo-Geto unleashing a horde of cursed spirits, Yuji finds himself marked for execution by the higher-ups at Jujutsu HQ.

Things don’t slow down as the action shifts to Tokyo. Cursed spirits are running rampant, and Yuji, alongside his half-brother Choso, is flat out trying to keep up. Enter Naoya Zenin, keen to take charge of his clan, and Yuta Okkotsu, the former Gojo student now acting as the executioner. Both are on Yuji’s trail, pushing him to his limits.

Retreading Old Ground

There’s a snag with anime films that lean heavily on existing episodes—punters have already seen these stories play out. The Shibuya Incident was a massive moment for the series, showing just how dark things could get and forcing Yuji to watch his mates and mentors fall. That sort of emotional punch is what’s made anime so popular lately, but the condensed version here doesn’t quite hit the same way.

It’s good fun seeing familiar faces like Nobara and Nanami back in action, but watching them go down again doesn’t sting as much the second time. The visuals are still top-notch, blending CGI and hand-drawn animation in a way that’s become pretty standard this year. While there are some cracking moments, it all feels a bit like a rerun rather than something fresh and game-changing.

Setting the Stage for What’s Next

Where Execution really shines is in its setup for the next season. The film dives into the tangled politics of the Zen’in clan, hinting at the bigger battles to come. Yuta Okkotsu, who first showed up in Jujutsu Kaisen 0, is back and more powerful than ever. He’s not just a force to be reckoned with—he’s got real depth, and the animation brings that out brilliantly.

Yuta’s role in the main story is finally clear. He’s easily one of the strongest characters in the series, and his presence here is a real highlight. While Execution only gives us a taste, it’s obvious he’ll be front and centre in The Culling Game, and fans will be keen to see where things go from here.

For the Fans, Not the Uninitiated

If you’re up to date with the series, you’ll get a lot out of this film. But if you’re new to Jujutsu Kaisen, it’s probably not the best place to start. The story is deep in the weeds of the show’s lore, so you’ll need at least a basic understanding of the characters and their world to keep up.

The animation and visuals are impressive throughout, and at just ninety minutes, it’s not a huge commitment even for those who aren’t usually into anime. Still, this is more of a treat for the fans than a standalone event. For those following the series, though, it’s a strong lead-in to the show’s return in 2026.