Ever wanted to watch Mob Psycho 100 in a more serious and seinen environment? If the answer is yes, then welcome to Jujutsu Kaisen which combines action with supernatural powers and evil spirits! While the show does have a dark and gritty feel to it, it feels like a show that we have seen before. Can it do enough to set itself apart from others within the genre?
Let’s Go!
First Episode Synopsis
Fragments of a legendary demon, Ryoumen Sukuna, were lost and scattered. One of those fragments ends up at Yuuji Itadori’s school. Yuuji is part of an occult club, yet, he’s highly sought after by the track coach for his above-average strength and speed. Trouble arises when it is discovered that while he’s part of the occult club, he didn’t even apply for it. Said track coach intervenes on the confrontation and admits that he changed Yuuji’s application in order to con him into joining his club instead.
While this is happening, a strange phenomenon begins to occur in the school as a demon/evil spirit is being drawn towards something. That something is the fragment on Ryoumen Sukuna. Enter Megumi Fushiguro who is being charged with hunting down the fragments. When he gets to the school, he realizes that the fragment has gone missing. It has fallen into the hands of the occult club! After running into Yuuji and discovering the fate of the fragment, the two of them rush to the school but they are too late. The demon that was roaming around makes its move.
Megumi tries to fight off the demon but gets in a bit of a bind. Yuuji comes to his rescue but ends up in a bad situation himself. Seeing no way out, he eats the fragment and gains the powers to defeat the demon rather easily. The only drawback is that he’s no longer himself… at least at first. Yuuji and Ryoumen have a mental battle as Yuuji does his best to resist him. Megumi intervenes and Yuuji reverts back to himself. Rather than be impressed with his ability to suppress Ryoumen, Megumi is looking to end Yuuji right then and there!
Worth Watching?
MAYBE – I will admit that Jujutsu Kaisen was on the interesting side but there was something about it that just wasn’t truly hooking me. I didn’t really feel any emotional attachment to the characters and the story seemed pretty by-the-numbers. Main protagonist with a sense of justice gets involved in the “starter pack fight” for the series… gets in trouble… inherits powers… and wins. The powers he has are a kiss/curse scenario as well which is also kind of a by-the-numbers plot device for shows like this. If I hadn’t seen this formula a million times already, I probably would be a bit more invested; however, to me, it’s just another show about demons and someone who slays them by acquiring powers in the most routine way possible.
While it is pretty standard fare as far as series goes, I still see that there is some potential here for some crazy-good fights in the future. I also believe that the powers Yuuji has now will come to be accepted be Megumi… either that… or Megumi will just be a constant thorn in his side rather than his equalizer. I’m begging on the former here rather than the latter, though. I’ll continue to check this series out but I’m hoping it takes a more unique approach to keep me interested.
