Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution Delivers a Fierce Cinematic Return

Anime has been making quite the impression on the big screen throughout 2025, with titles such as Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man drawing crowds and dominating box office charts. Now, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution steps up, aiming to secure its place as another major triumph for the genre. This film weaves together the aftermath of the acclaimed second series and sets the stage for the next chapter, offering a treat for dedicated followers—though it may leave newcomers rather bewildered.

Picking Up the Pieces: The Aftermath of Shibuya

The story opens in the wake of the second series’ conclusion, revisiting the final, harrowing moments of The Shibuya Incident. For those who missed the last handful of episodes, there’s a brief recap, but the emotional weight is unmistakable. As cherished figures meet their end, Yuji Itadori is left reeling. The chaos escalates when Pseudo-Geto unleashes a staggering ten million cursed spirits, and Yuji finds himself marked for execution by the authorities at Jujutsu HQ.

Events soon shift to Tokyo, where the onslaught of cursed spirits continues. Yuji, alongside his half-brother Choso, battles these threats, only to face new adversaries. Naoya Zenin arrives, intent on seizing control of his clan, while Yuta Okkotsu—once a pupil of Gojo and now the designated executioner—enters the fray. Both are on Yuji’s trail, pushing him to his limits as he fights for survival.

Retreading Old Ground: Familiar Stories, Diminished Impact

There’s a challenge inherent in anime films that draw heavily from existing television episodes.

The Shibuya Incident was a massive event for fans of the Jujutsu Kaisen series and showed the anime could take another leap forward.

The darkness and intensity of those episodes, which forced Yuji to witness the loss of friends and mentors, are difficult to replicate in condensed form. While it’s enjoyable to see favourites like Nobara and Nanami return, their fates lack the same emotional punch when replayed on the big screen.

Visually, the film remains impressive, blending CGI and hand-drawn animation with considerable flair. Yet, in a year crowded with similar spectacles, the first half of Execution feels somewhat repetitive. Rather than reinventing the material, it offers a polished but familiar experience, lacking the transformative impact of landmark anime films from years past.

New Beginnings: Setting the Stage for Season Three

The latter portion of the film shifts gears, serving as a proper introduction to the next series. Audiences are drawn into the complex politics of the Zen’in family, hinting at the conflicts to come. Yuta Okkotsu, who first appeared in the prequel film Jujutsu Kaisen 0, returns with even greater power and depth. His presence is a highlight, and the animation does justice to his formidable abilities and emotional range.

Yuta’s journey, previously explored alongside Panda, Maki Zen’in, and Toge Inumaki, now takes centre stage. His connections to Gojo and Geto are further developed, and his role in the ongoing narrative becomes clear. He emerges as one of the most compelling figures in the series, with the promise of more to come as The Culling Game arc unfolds.

For the Fans: A Rewarding, If Niche, Experience

Those well-versed in the series will find much to appreciate.

If you are caught up, or at least a fan of the series, yes. If you have never watched an episode of Jujutsu Kaisen, no, the movie is not worth your time.

The film is steeped in the lore of JJK, demanding at least a passing familiarity with its characters and events. While the animation and visual design are consistently strong, the story is best enjoyed by those already invested in the world.

At just ninety minutes, it’s a manageable watch, even for the uninitiated, but it functions more as a celebration for fans than a standalone adventure. For those eagerly awaiting the series’ return in 2026, Execution offers a tantalising glimpse of what lies ahead.