Two years have passed in adapting to the new normal set up, as most of us miss the experience of the movie viewing. The long wait is finally over, as Pioneer Films Philippines brought us another anime movie that had movie-goers return to the cinema house, to enjoy the most-awaited anime film this year. The hit supernatural-action series and one of the highest-grossing animated films of 2021, is now available in Philippine theatres!
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 was released last December 2021 in Japanese theatres first, before it was distributed worldwide. The film became the 4th highest grossing film in the US when it was released last March 2022, and was also nominated for the Award of the Japanese Academy 2022, under the Best Animation film category.
The movie serves as a prequel for its animated series that was aired two years ago, during the Fall Season of 2020. The story follows Okkotsu Yuuta, who has been cursed since the death of a childhood friend Orimoto Rika in a freak traffic accident. Her spirit appeared different, contrasting the sweet and loving girl he made a promise with. She manifests as a violent and powerful entity to protect Yuuta from those who intend to harm him. As a result, he is taken in by master sorcerer Satoru Gojou, who has different plans for him at Jujutsu High School. He lets him join the school for Yuuta to control Rika and break the curse alongside his classmates Zenin Maki, Inumaki Toge and Panda.
The Technicalities
The movie was produced by Studio MAPPA, who was also in charge of animating the TV Anime series. As expected, they did not disappoint the audience in the quality of the animation. The fight scenes were topnotch, that dull moment was never found on it. Like in the animated series, every character is beautifully animated that you cannot take your eyes off the big screen.
The music was great, but not particularly catchy to the point that would leave an impression once you step outside the cinema. The overall scoring was good, as it fits the scenes really well.
Cinematography is also above average. The fight scenes were crazy, and it definitely will not let you miss every single second of each scenes. MAPPA has yet again delivered quality to their craft, simple frames bring aesthetic vibes due to how everything was marvelously put together.
The Plot
The movie serves as a prequel for the animated series, though the main protagonist was not present to this prequel as it was focused on Yuuta alongside Maki, Inumaki and Panda when they were still first year students in Jujutsu High. The plot might be something like the typical shounen stories, but what’s intriguing here is that it is centered on curses and apparitions, which peak the interest of the fans.
The highlight of the movie would be the origin of Yuta and the conflict between the two of the special grade sorcerers Gojou and Geto.
If you haven’t watched the sequel, there might be things and parts that you would ask for more exposure, which can be found later on in the main series as most of the fans that have seen the sequel are knowledgeable about.
Loved characters also had their fair share of screen time like Nanami, Kento (Tsuda Kenjirou), Miwa Kasumi (Akasaki Chinatsu), Mei Mei (Mitsuishi Kotono), Ieiri Shouko (Endou Aya), Toudou, Aoi (Kimura Subaru), and many more.
Overall Verdict
The prequel film is a great introduction to the supporting characters for the main series. It is absolutely worth watching, even though it is what we often see in shounen stories. Some parts may have been flawed, but it may be carried off as it is. As someone who is not that deep into the series yet, this film definitely gets me on the hook to dig more, and explore the series further. The material shown in the movie can serve as something that can be explained in future seasons or future manga chapters, that will get fans more excited about the series.
The experience of watching it on the big screen was also a blast, hearing anime fans with their side comments every screen time of their favorite characters were also a fun thing to look forward to. Especially every time the eyes of Gojo were seen, when Nanami had his moment (and hearing TsudaKen being hot with his voice as usual) and even Zenin Maki when she gets her close ups on her highlights.
If you are into action-packed anime movies and supernatural genres, this is definitely one of the movies you wouldn’t miss seeing in theaters. Don’t forget the post credit scene that you sure wouldn’t want to miss, so stay in your seat and enjoy up until the last minute!
Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 on local Philippine cinemas starting June 22, 2022 in the following cinemas:
ALABANG TOWN – MUNTINLUPA
AYALA – CEBU
AYALA CENTRIO – CAGAYAN
AYALA CLOVERLEAF
AYALA MALLS BAY AREA
AYALA MALLS CAPITOL CENTRAL
AYALA MALLS CIRCUIT CINEMAS
AYALA MALLS FELIZ CINEMAS
AYALA MALLS LEGAZPI CINEMAS
AYALA MALLS THE 30TH CINEMA
BONIFACIO HIGH ST. – TAGUIG
FAIRVIEW TERRACES – Q.C.
GLORIETTA IV – MAKATI
HARBORPOINT – OLONGAPO
MARKET!MARKET! – TAGUIG
MARQUEE – ANGELES
SOLENAD CINEMAS
TRINOMA – Q.C.
UP TOWN CENTER CINEMAS
FILINVEST – MUNTINLUPA
FISHERMALL – MALABON
FISHERMALL – Q.C.
FORA CINEMAS – TAGAYTAY
GATEWAY – Q.C.
ONE MALL CINEMAS – Valenzuela
SHANGRILA – MAND.
ALTURAS SCREENVILLE
GREENHILLS – SAN JUAN
KCC – DADIANGAS
KCC – MARBEL
KCC – ZAMBOANGA
MAGIC – TARLAC
NCCC – DAVAO
STA. LUCIA – CAINTA
GAISANO – BUHANGIN
GAISANO – DAVAO
GAISANO – DIGOS
GAISANO – TAGUM
GAISANO – TORIL
EASTWOOD – Q.C.
LUCKY CHINATOWN – MANILA
MEGAWORLD FESTIVE WALK CINEMA
NEW PORT – PASAY
SOUTHWOODS CINEMA
UPTOWN CINEMAS
VENICE GRAND CANAL CINEMA
BSS CINEMA – LEGASPI CITY
CINEMA 76 – ANONAS
ALNOR CINEMA – COTABATO
ROBINSON – ANTIPOLO
ROBINSON – BUTUAN
ROBINSON – CALASIAO
ROBINSON – CEBU
ROBINSON – ERMITA
ROBINSON – GALLERIA
ROBINSON – GEN. TRIAS
ROBINSON – ILIGAN
ROBINSON – JARO
ROBINSON – LAOAG
ROBINSON – LAS PINAS
ROBINSON – MAGNOLIA
ROBINSON – MALOLOS
ROBINSON – NAGA
ROBINSON – SAN PEDRO
ROBINSON – SANTIAGO
ROBINSON – TACLOBAN (NORTH)
ROBINSON – TUGUEGARAO
ORTIGAS CINEMAS ESTANCIA PASIG
PODIUM – MAND.
SM – AURA
SM – BACOLOD
SM – BACOOR
SM – BAGUIO
SM – BALIWAG
SM – BATANGAS
SM – BF
SM – BICUTAN
SM – BUTUAN
SM – CAGAYAN DE ORO
SM – CALAMBA
SM – CEBU
SM – CLARK
SM – DAET
SM – DASMARINAS
SM – DAVAO
SM – FAIRVIEW
SM – GRAND CENTRAL
SM – LEGAZPI
SM – LIPA
SM – LUCENA
SM – MALL OF ASIA
SM – MANILA
SM – MARILAO
SM – MASINAG
SM – MEGAMALL
SM – MINDPRO – ZAMBOANGA
SM – MOLINO
SM – NAGA
SM – NORTH
SM – OLONGAPO CENTRAL
SM – PAMPANGA
SM – ROSALES
SM – SAN LAZARO
SM – SAN MATEO
SM – SAN PABLO
SM – SANGANDAAN
SM – SEASIDE
SM – S’MAISON
SM – SOUTHMALL
SM – STA. MESA
SM – STA. ROSA
SM – TARLAC
SM – TAYTAY
SM – TELABASTAGAN
SM – TRECE MARTIRES
WALTERMART – GAPAN
WALTERMART – STA. MARIA
WALTERMART – TANAUAN
STARMALL – MAND.
STARMALL – SAN JOSE
VISTA CINEMAS – DAANGHARI
VISTA CINEMAS – Dasmarinas
VISTA CINEMAS – Gen. Trias
VISTA CINEMAS – Iloilo
VISTA CINEMAS (EVIA) – Las Pinas
VISTA CINEMAS – Las Pinas
VISTA CINEMAS – MALOLOS
VISTA CINEMAS – MOLINO
VISTA CINEMAS – Taguig
VISTAMALL CINEMAS – BALANGA
VISTAMALL CINEMAS – PASEO
VISTAMALL CINEMAS – STA. ROSA
VISTAMALL CINEMAS – TANZA
SetsuAni would like to thank Pioneer Films and Anime Movies Philippines for the opportunity and invitation to be one of the first to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 here in the Philippines, through the fan-screening held in the iMAX Cinema at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, on the 18th of June 2022.
-Franz Rivera
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