Anime compilation films are nothing new anymore. While they may seem like a money grab at times, animators need to get paid in order to make a great series like Jujutsu Kaisen. But also, it is a great way to experience the series—from watching on a laptop, phone, or TV on Crunchyroll or Netflix, then seeing it on the big screen. Most importantly, movies like Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution offer enough of a teaser for the next season.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution picks up on season two when a veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds—trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are Curse Users and Spirits scheming to seal him away.
Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier Jujutsu Sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of Curses — the Shibuya Incident. In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of Curses in a plan orchestrated by Kenjaku, the most wicked Curse User in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade Sorcerer and fellow student Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes.
For the first 40-50 minutes, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution montages through most of the nitty-gritty talking parts and cuts straight into the season’s biggest fights. It is smart that the editor Keisuke Yanagi helped stitch the fights to the Shibuya Incident arc’s intro song, SPECIALZ by King Gnu. Watching these fights over again brings back so many traumatic moments, from all the death on the good sorcerers’ side.
“Getting into the first two episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3’s next arc, these two episodes are perfectly adapted for the anime and the big screen.”
The most disappointing part of the compilation portion of this film is that they did not add more detail to the environmental design of the major fights, such as the Sekuna versus Mahoraga fight. When the season aired, this was one of the significant fan criticisms. So, I feel like, what is the point of bringing these fights to the big screen if the animation and art did not improve?
However, there are a couple of new shots and scenes added that add to the gravitas of the iconic moments. But, this does not mean all is forgiven. If this decision to not add anymore animation details was made to not overstress the animators at MAPPA again, fine. Although it continues to raise the question of what the real hook is for watching the prelude to Itadori’s Extermination arc that kicks off Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3.
Getting into the first two episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3’s next arc, these two episodes are perfectly adapted for the anime and the big screen. The opening shot of Yuji trying to wash the blood off his hands is depressing and dreadful, but a perfect cinematographic moment that captures everything Yuji comes to bear from last season. This opening shot is everything I enjoyed about Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc and what MAPPA can do to push animation.
The smartest decision of the first episode is showcasing Yuji and Choso’s fighting abilities together, as the two take down multiple cursed spirits that are plaguing Tokyo, due to Pseudo-Geto initiating The Culling Games. One of my favourite shots, which I rarely see in animation or anime, is a GoPro POV shot. More interestingly, the Jujutsu Kaisen animators have the camera facing downwards from a detached bridge structure; it is a very standout shot that should be applauded.
With all the action and jumping across city rooftops, this is an intelligent way to start the season, following Yuji again, because what follows is a lot of exposition. Without spoiling too much for the non-manga readers, the explanation of The Culling Games and the planning Team Yuji sets up before entering the barriers where the battle royale will take place. Even though there is going to be a lot of talking at the beginning of the season, it is very important to pay attention.
On a different note, MAPPA is great at taking expository/conversational moments and making them dynamic. For example, there is a shot of the remaining Zen’in Clan members meeting in a tight room, and one of them takes a swing at the other. This action causes the only light source in the room, a hanging lamp, to start swaying—causing the shadows to move across the room while the men all discuss what to do next. Credits to director Shōta Goshozono and series compositor and script writer Hiroshi Seko for adding in these film techniques.
Overall, the compilation in Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution is okay—only good enough because of the quick editing of the main fights and soundtrack to back it up. As for the two new episodes, they clearly captured what they needed for one of the small arcs leading up to The Culling Games arc. The shot composition, art style, and animation appear to be back on track, but only time will tell when the full anime series begins airing in January 2026. For those who need to build the hype ahead of Season 3 at the theatre, this is for them. Otherwise, there is not much that made this cinematic experience noteworthy.
Be sure to catch up on all episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen on Crunchyroll and Netflix, for when Season 3 premieres on January 8th, 2026!
