After almost three years, Jujutsu Kaisen returns with “Execution“. Yuji is still suffering from the trauma Sukuna’s rampage caused during the Shibuya Incident. The first few minutes show Yuji in an abandoned city fighting off a number of different cursed spirits. He’s shows off his physical prowess, his massive strength, agility, and speed. Yuji doesn’t speak during the early scenes of the episode. Instead we are treated to muted background music, eerie sounds from the curses, other sound effects, and Yuji’s heavy breathing. It’s effective.
The fluid animation is stunning. The use of color in this episode stands out the most, the bright colors make the episode vibrant. When the episode shifts to the Zenin Clan’s home the colors become dull and gray. I really liked the camera work at the Zenin meeting. With the camera up high it felt like we were ease dropping on the conversation. In addition to that, the noisy light, swing in the middle of the room, made the shadows move while the members of the Zenin Clan stood in place. It was haunting.
Naoya Zenin’s plan
At the Zenin estate, Naoya, Ogi, and Jinichi learn that Naoya would have become the 27th head of the clan, if Gojo hadn’t been incapacitated. Instead, Megumi becomes the head. Furious, Naoya leaves in search of Megumi and Yuji, hoping to kill them both. Meanwhile, Choso and Yuji kill cursed spirits together. Yuji baits them and Choso uses Piercing Blood to kill several of them. Choso notes how much stronger Yuji has gotten, as he has added more nuance to his abilities.
Naoya appears and notes that Megumi isn’t present. He informs Yuji that his “execution”, is back on after what happened to Gojo. Naoya leaps down and shows off his speed as he manages to land a hit on Yuji and a series of punches on Choso. At one point, Naoya fixes his hair while overwhelming Choso with his speed. However, he doesn’t appear to do much damage. Suddenly, Yuta appears and he and Yuji square off.
Yuta vs Yuji
Yuji and Yuta face-off in a theater with Yuji avoiding most of Yuta’s sword strikes. Yuji is amazed at Yuta’s massive cursed energy output, which is noted as greater than Gojo’s. Despite this, Yuta wastes energy in a way that Gojo doesn’t. Yuji manages to grab a knife. While Yuta slashes Yuji’s abdomen, Yuji breaks his sword. When he thinks the fight has become a hand to hand battle, Rika grabs him and Yuta stabs him in the heart.
While I think Chainsaw Man is becoming one of the best anime series out, I still think that Jujutsu Kaisen is the standard. I love the animation and the colorful style. I liked the designed of some of the cursed spirits. Granted they didn’t live very long. Seeing Yuta fight was refreshing and his numerous skills on display were impressive. Finally, Naoya is an delightfully terrible villain. Cocky and rude, he is very unpleasant with a punch-able face. Despite this I think his abilities are cool and I look forward to seeing him fight Choso.
