Los Angeles, CA – The highly anticipated anime feature film, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, made a formidable impact on the U.S. box office, debuting at an estimated No. 2 position during its opening weekend of March 18, 2022. The prequel to the hugely popular Jujutsu Kaisen series garnered an impressive $17.7 million to $18 million across 2,286 to 2,336 theaters in its initial three days, positioning itself just behind “The Batman.” This strong performance highlights the growing mainstream appeal of anime in North America.
A Stellar Opening for a Highly Anticipated Prequel
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 premiered in North America on March 18, 2022, distributed by Crunchyroll, in association with Funimation, across more than 1,500 theaters. The film quickly established itself as a significant contender, earning $5.8 million on its opening Friday, which included $2.9 million from Thursday night preview screenings alone. This opening weekend success underscores a trend of anime films consistently drawing large audiences to cinemas.
The movie’s financial success continued beyond its opening, eventually surpassing $30 million at the U.S. box office. By April 2022, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 had comfortably secured a spot as the fourth-highest-grossing anime title ever at the U.S. box office, with a cumulative take of $31.4 million, surpassing Dragon Ball Super: Broly‘s $30.7 million. Later, it was noted to be the fifth highest-grossing anime film in the USA with approximately $34.5 million in earnings, before being surpassed by Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in the same year. Worldwide, the film has also achieved considerable success, becoming one of the highest-earning anime films of all time.
Breaking Down the Box Office Numbers
The film’s opening weekend gross of approximately $17.7 million placed it second, directly competing with major Hollywood releases. This strong showing is a testament to the dedicated fanbase of the Jujutsu Kaisen franchise and the broader appeal of quality anime content. For comparison, previous successful anime releases like My Hero Academia: World Heroes Mission and Dragon Ball Super: Broly earned $6 million and $7 million respectively during their first weekends in the United States and Canada. While Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train still holds the record for the highest opening weekend for a non-English film at the American box office with $21 million, Jujutsu Kaisen 0‘s performance reaffirms anime’s strong presence in the theatrical market.
The audience demographic for Jujutsu Kaisen 0 during its opening weekend heavily skewed young and male, with 77% of ticket buyers falling into the 18-35 age group, and 60% male. This demographic mirrors the target audience for many successful anime features.
The Story of Yuta Okkotsu and Rika Orimoto
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 serves as a prequel to the main Jujutsu Kaisen anime series, adapting the 2017 manga of the same name by Gege Akutami. The film centers on Yuta Okkotsu, a timid high school student haunted by the powerful Cursed Spirit of his childhood friend, Rika Orimoto. Rika died in a tragic accident and became an overprotective spirit, violently attacking anyone who threatens Yuta.
Mentored by the enigmatic Satoru Gojo, Yuta enrolls in Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School to learn how to control Rika’s immense power and to understand the world of jujutsu sorcery. There, he befriends other sorcerer students: Maki Zen’in, Toge Inumaki, and Panda, forming bonds that help him confront his past and his unique connection to Rika. The narrative explores Yuta’s journey of self-discovery and his efforts to break Rika’s curse, leading to an intense confrontation with the formidable ex-Jujutsu student and antagonist, Suguru Geto. Geto seeks to eliminate all non-sorcerers and aims to acquire Rika’s immense cursed energy for himself.
Critical Acclaim and Impact
Upon its release, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 received positive reviews from critics. Reviewers praised its accessible storytelling, stunning animation by studio MAPPA, engaging fight sequences, and compelling soundtrack. Many critics highlighted its ability to serve as both a standalone introduction to the Jujutsu Kaisen universe and a satisfying prequel for existing fans. The film was lauded for its ability to contemplate complex themes like trauma and grief through a horror-fantasy lens, while delivering cathartic action. While some noted its relatively short length and the underdeveloped nature of some supporting characters compared to the lead, the overall consensus was highly favorable.
The film’s success in the U.S. and globally further solidifies Jujutsu Kaisen‘s position as a major player in contemporary anime, demonstrating the genre’s continued expansion into mainstream entertainment.
