Whenever a new season of Jujutsu Kaisen is released, it is always met with enthusiasm. However, the series’ popularity and compelling storyline sometimes overshadow the shortcomings of studio MAPPA. While the animation in Season 1 was groundbreaking, some fans may be upset by the fact that certain scenes in Season 2 failed to maintain the same standard.
From the first battle between Sukuna and Gojo in Season 1, the animators delivered an outstanding performance. But what changed during the production of Season 2, causing the fight scenes to lose their appeal?
Yuji’s Battle with Mahito in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Falls Short Compared to Season 1
While most of the Jujutsu Kaisen fandom tries to cover up MAPPA’s mistreatment of certain fight scenes in Season 2, Yuji’s fight with Mahito cannot be justified. Episode 21 of Season 2 features a battle between Mahito, Yuji, and Sukuna. However, this scene wasn’t as well animated as those in Season 1.
Some of the scenes cut from this battle have rough background animation. Compared to other scenes directed by Keiichiro Watanabe, this action sequence was not executed well. There were few key frames, and the fight looked somewhat disjointed.
However, since this was a work created by Keiichiro Watanabe, it is hard to find fault with the animation itself. Only the available shots from the animator prove how much better the animation could have been. The main culprit in this mistake, of course, is the studio and its management.
Why Did the Animation Quality of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Decline?
The animation team for Jujutsu Kaisen remains ambitious and continues to work as diligently as ever. However, MAPPA has taken on multiple overlapping projects, many of which feature intense action scenes. The staff are overworked and have very little time to focus on details.
Roccia Nobili, a key animator for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, spoke out about what happened. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the animator explained that the deadlines were very tight. The animators also expressed frustration, as they wished they had more time to complete the scenes.
MAPPA’s poor management and tight deadlines have truly affected the show, and the studio has been criticized multiple times in the past for mistreating its animators and staff.
When will Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen be aired?
“Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 3 has been confirmed and will adapt the “Culling Game” arc, a major storyline from the manga. This arc involves a deadly ritual initiated by the antagonist Kenjaku, where sorcerers battle each other in a high-stakes, battle royale-style conflict. The goal is to generate a massive amount of cursed energy for a sinister plan that involves merging the population with Master Tengen.
The season is expected to feature intense action and complex character interactions, including a potential clash between Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu. However, a specific release date has not been set, though fans should anticipate it no sooner than late 2025 or early 2026. The season will be available for streaming on Crunchyroll once it premieres.
Fans can expect more teasers and trailers as production progresses, but due to the scale of the arc and MAPPA’s busy schedule, the wait may be similar to the two-year gap between Seasons 1 and 2.