Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (2023)

This was the season that most electrified the anime fandom in 2023. The full twenty-three episodes combine the Hidden Inventory arc — covering Gojo Satoru’s past — with the Itadori’s Extermination arc that deals with the Shibuya Incident. The Shibuya Incident arc in particular is widely considered to contain the most shocking and intense sequences in anime released throughout all of 2023.

What it’s about — From Hidden Inventory to the Shibuya Incident

Season 2 of MAPPA’s anime adaptation of Gege Akutami’s manga, which aired from July 2023. The first half explores Gojo Satoru and Suguru Geto’s past in depth through the Hidden Inventory arc, while the second half covers the large-scale battles erupting in present-day Shibuya through the Itadori’s Extermination arc. The Shibuya Incident is the arc identified as the greatest turning point of the original manga.

Direction — Animation That Rewrote the TV Standard

MAPPA’s animation, in the back half of the Shibuya Incident, reaches what is effectively theatrical-feature quality. Gojo’s Infinity domain battle, Sukuna’s cleave sequences, and the continuous combat sequences of the final episode all rewrite the standards for TV animation. The Hidden Inventory arc direction is also excellent, emotionally and convincingly rendering the past story of Gojo and Geto, and providing deep context for why the present narrative took the direction it did.

Performance & characters — Itadori in Dire Straits

Junya Enoki’s Itadori finds himself in the harshest circumstances of Season 2. Enoki expresses Itadori’s emotions — continuing to fight even while witnessing situations he can do nothing about — in a complex way that mixes rage, fear, and resolve. Yuichi Nakamura’s Nanami takes on a significantly larger role in Season 2, and he convincingly inhabits the calm, resolute character. Tomokazu Seki’s Gojo reveals young arrogance and human qualities in the Hidden Inventory arc.

What the work says — Where Hope Disappears

The biggest difference between Season 2 and Season 1 is that Season 2 creates a situation without hope. Where Season 1 spoke of growth and unity, in Season 2 entities thought to be invincible are defeated, and beloved characters disappear in irreversible ways. The Shibuya Incident makes it clear just how cheap death is in the sorcerer world, and how relative it is to be strong. This shock is what elevates this season from a simple battle anime.

Ratings & reception

IMDb score is 8.5. TMDB is 8.6. It received wide recognition as the anime with the finest animation and direction of any released in 2023. Certain Shibuya Incident episodes set all-time high episode ratings on some sites. It won awards at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards and other ceremonies.

What doesn’t work

The overwhelming quality of animation and direction sometimes overwhelms the story’s development. Some characters’ endings are handled too abruptly, leaving insufficient time for the emotional impact to settle. The Hidden Inventory arc is also difficult to fully grasp without having seen Season 1, which raises the barrier to entry. The shocking Season 2 ending, which continues into Season 3, leaves no sense of resolution.

Verdict

My rating is ★4.0. By the criterion of animation and directorial quality alone, it is one of the best works of 2023. The intensity of the Shibuya Incident arc sets a benchmark against which any future battle anime will be measured. For anyone who has been watching the Jujutsu Kaisen series, there is no reason not to watch this season. The Hidden Inventory arc builds the emotional foundation of Gojo and Geto’s past, and the Shibuya Incident’s shock is amplified by that structure — the season’s overall design is impressive. The final episode’s ending, consisting of nothing but a blank screen and music, is a memorable choice demonstrating how animation can use emotional space. Expectations are high for where the story goes in Season 3.

Recommended for

• Viewers who have seen Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1
• Those wanting a battle anime with the finest animation quality available
• Fans who aren’t afraid of shocking narrative turns