I think I say this every week but Jujutsu Kaisen’s animation keeps getting better each episode. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 16, “Thunderclap,” is MAPPA at it’s best. The episode is entirely action feature the fight between Megumi and his father Toji, and the fight between Jogo and Sukuna. One thing I’ve come to expect as a manga reader is an expansion of action when adapted into anime. Specifically, the Megumi fight. I don’t recall the fight exactly but it’s rather short.
Unsurprisingly, Toji dominates Megumi. He uses Rabbit Escape which seems like a useless shikigami. Rabbit Escape appears more useful as a distraction and that can be helpful. Toji comically brutalizes the poor Rabbit, biting a one and swinging another like a bat. Megumi tries to fight him hand to hand but fails to land a blow. Despite his failures Megumi holds his own, barely. He’s clever and doesn’t have massive power to dominate his opponents. Having to use Shikigami requires more strategy.
Toji is proud of Megumi
Watching Toji fight with raw power is always a pleasure. MAPPA really knows how to emphasize his abilities. At one point Toji tosses the remains of Playful Cloud in the air then stomps on the ground sending the rabbits airborne, then using floating debris to destroy the rabbits. He chases Megumi outside, throwing cars and trucks at his son. Megumi scrambles to avoid being hit. He tries to use Nue but it does no damage. Cornered in an alleyway, Megumi prepares to make his last stand.
Megumi takes a non-lethal stab in the stomach and attempts to stab Toji with a sword from the shadows. Toji comes to his senses and uses his speed to avoid being hit. He recalls a selling Megumi to the Zenin clan hoping to give his son a better life as his late wife hoped. In the present he asks Megumi his name. Megumi answers “Fushiguro.” Toji is proud his son carriers his mothers last name and not the “Zenin,” name. He kills himself preventing his vessel from harming his son. It’s hard to believe that Megumi will never know his father was Toji but he doesn’t find out in this encounter.
The main event: Jogo vs Sukuna
Poor Jogo. He’s the powerful doormat of the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. At worst he’s fourth strongest behind Gojo, Sukuna, and Kenjaku (Geto) but he’s only really fought against Gojo (twice) and Sukuna. The gap between them is massive. You can’t help but feel sorry for the curse spirit. Regardless, Jogo but on a hell of a show. Jogo attempts to use his flames but Sukuna slices his arms like salami. Sukuna knocks Jogo around Shibuya and is so causal while doing so. No matter what Jogo does Sukuna counters and mocks him while doing so.
“The epitome of a loser’s spirit”
As Jogo’s desperation and humiliation increases his fire and lava production. Firing beams of fire that Sukuna evades easily, Sukuna then smashes Jogo through a several storied building breaking Jogo jaw. Pathetic, Jogo seems to lose his will to live, Sukuna tells him to “keep trying.” Suddenly, Jogo erupts trying his Supreme Art: Meteor. The attack devastates the surrounding area but Sukuna avoids it once again. He asks Jogo why he doesn’t use his “Domain” and Jogo says he knows he’d lose.
Jogo, Hanami, and Dagon reunite in the afterlife. Hoping that Mahito is their salvation. Sukuna and Jogo have what amounts to a condescending heart to heart with the King of Curses. Elsewhere, Megumi is attacked by the coward Shigemo. Finally at a moment of desperation Megumi summons Eight-Handled Sword Divergent Sila Divine General Mahoraga leaving Shigemo to fend for himself.
