If you’re even a bit into popular anime these days, you’ve probably heard of Jujutsu Kaisen. The supernatural shonen series has caused a stir in recent years, with fans all over social media singing its praises. Still, most people only have a little free time, so it can be difficult to decide which series might be right for you. That’s where Jujutsu Kaisen 0 comes in. This prequel movie will stream on Crunchyroll starting September 21, giving potential fans the perfect way to check out if Jujutsu Kaisen is the series for them.
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No prior knowledge required
Unlike many other anime movies, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel to Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s a canon story for the universe but takes place before the majority of the anime’s main band are introduced. You don’t need to know a single thing about Jujutsu Kaisen to enjoy Jujutsu Kaisen 0, as the mechanics and intricacies of its universe are all adequately explained in the movie.
Best to watch it before the show
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is unique in terms of prequel status. The chapters of the series that the film adapts, now called Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 0, were actually made and released before the main series. It was the popularity of Volume 0 in 2017 that led to Jujutsu Kaisen becoming a full series, although 0 has not been adapted into anime until now.
Since it was made before the main series, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a great entry point for newcomers. It takes place before the show begins and features characters who appear later – plus, it’s the same tone as Jujutsu Kaisen. If you end up digging into the movie, not only will you also love the series, but you’ll also have solid background information about its world and characters.
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An excellent sub and dub
Everyone watches anime in their own way, but not all subtitles and voiceovers are created equal (although things are usually much better these days). Luckily for you, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is excellent in both forms. There are different attributes for some of the performance from language to language, but as someone who’s seen both versions more than once, I’m happy to report that you can’t go wrong either way .
The duration
The film lasts only one hour and 44 minutes, much less than 24 episodes. Instead of watching multiple episodes, you can experience a full story with the same tone as the series in less than two hours. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 features a fast-paced and gripping narrative, so even if it ends up not being your thing in the long run, you’ll probably still have a great time.
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The visuals
Jujutsu Kaisen has a pretty sharp style – a consistent style between the prequel and the full anime. There are some truly jaw-dropping moments throughout both adaptations, with the different designs of demons and curses standing out as particularly fun to watch. If you’re interested in Japanese folklore and culture, you’ll learn even more about some of the designs and the story behind them, such as Tamamo-no-Mae. Even if that’s not your thing, the stunning fight sequences are sure to grab your attention.