JJK 0 is a pretty damn good movie, managing to avoid Continuity Lockout while focusing on a period in the series that is otherwise unknown in the primary series, having amazing animation courtesy of MAPPA (overworking their staff too much please appreciate them more MAPPA!), a pretty good OST, and amazing characters.
Said characters are where the strength truly lies, as it manages to tell a compelling narrative via Yuta, who wants nothing more than to feel like he belongs and be useful to others, while also wanting to free his childhood sweetheart Rika from her cursed torment. You get more from the ever lovable goof of a sensei Gojo, particularly hints of his tragic past with Geto who is likewise given that tragic element by showing his supremacism stems from the horrors he's witnessed Jujutsu Sorcerers like Mimiko and Nanako be subjected to, some more proper focus for characters like Maki and Toge, and getting to see other characters like the Kyoto Students or Nanami being badass killing the Parade of 100 Demons.
Special mention goes to Yuta and Maki's relationship, as it manages to be the beginning of a pretty believable romance that highlights their characters strengths, both on their own and together, while juxtaposed with his love for Rika and learning to let her go without losing that love.
Similarly is Geto's final moments, demonstrating that, for as twisted and broken as he'd become, there was still some of the man that Gojo loved within him, and he was willing to accept his end knowing that not only was his new family safe, but his oldest friend never stopped caring about him.
That being said, the movie is not without its flaws.
It has a bad habit of flashing back to scenes from earlier in the movie, even if we just saw them, which just feels like padding, and could probably shave off five minutes from the runtime if they were removed.
While I can buy the bonds Yuta has with Gojo, Maki, and Toge, we never really get any moment like that for him and Panda, which can be a minor problem when Yuta's friendship with him, Maki, and Toge is one of his major driving forces in the movie.
We never actually get to see Geto beating the trio, making it look less impressive for him and more like they just suffered The Worf Effect, Maki in particular since she never even has her fight against Geto shown unlike Panda and Toge who at least get to beat Geto up for a bit.
While the mechanics of Jujutsu are given their general explanations and mostly work out fine, some of the more detailed aspects like Cursed Technique Reversal aren't given any real explanation, which can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the more in depth aspects.
Aside from Mimiko, Nanako, and Miguel, Geto's family isn't exactly that interesting here.
Still, all and all, JJK 0 is a great movie, and dare I say even a good point to get into the series if you're just starting out. This movie managed to cement Yuta and Maki as two of my favorite characters in the series, reinforced how much I love Geto's character, and is just a fun ride from start to finish.
Manga Jujutsu Kaisen 0: An amazing, but not flawless, film.
JJK 0 is a pretty damn good movie, managing to avoid Continuity Lockout while focusing on a period in the series that is otherwise unknown in the primary series, having amazing animation courtesy of MAPPA (overworking their staff too much please appreciate them more MAPPA!), a pretty good OST, and amazing characters.
Said characters are where the strength truly lies, as it manages to tell a compelling narrative via Yuta, who wants nothing more than to feel like he belongs and be useful to others, while also wanting to free his childhood sweetheart Rika from her cursed torment. You get more from the ever lovable goof of a sensei Gojo, particularly hints of his tragic past with Geto who is likewise given that tragic element by showing his supremacism stems from the horrors he's witnessed Jujutsu Sorcerers like Mimiko and Nanako be subjected to, some more proper focus for characters like Maki and Toge, and getting to see other characters like the Kyoto Students or Nanami being badass killing the Parade of 100 Demons.
That being said, the movie is not without its flaws.
Still, all and all, JJK 0 is a great movie, and dare I say even a good point to get into the series if you're just starting out. This movie managed to cement Yuta and Maki as two of my favorite characters in the series, reinforced how much I love Geto's character, and is just a fun ride from start to finish.